BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa - Officials haven’t released any identifying details about the individual, citing patient privacy. The person had been hospitalized at St. Luke’s University Health Network -- Anderson Campus in Bethlehem Township.
Wednesday evening, Gov. Tom Wolf shared news of the death with residents.
"I bring you this news because it demonstrates the severity of COVID-19. In under two weeks, more than 130 cases of COVID-19 have been identified within our borders and the spread of COVID-19 across our commonwealth is increasing at an exponential pace," said Gov. Wolf.
Wolf says that’s in part because it has characteristics that make it difficult to control or stop.
"Today’s is just the first death of what will become many. And our only hope is to keep our hospitals from being overwhelmed, so our hospitals can do the most that they can," he said.
Wolf says the state needs businesses to follow his guidelines to close, and Pennsylvanians to stay home, in order to save lives in the commonwealth.
To date, Pennsylvania has seen 133 cases of coronavirus.