HARRISBURG, Pa. - A drastic spike in new COVID-19 infections has pushed Pennsylvania’s total case count to more than 2 million since the onset of the pandemic.
The state on Thursday reported 19,436 new infections - the highest single-day number ever and the second-straight day of record-breaking case counts.
Area hospitals continue to fill up and doctors say they expect to see even higher caseloads beginning next week. Testing sites across the Lehigh Valley this week have been marked by long lines and waits.
The omicron-fueled surge has come as many are home and sick for the holidays.
COVID-19 cases are rocketing across the U.S. and also putting children in the hospital in close to record numbers. And experts lament that most of the youngsters are not vaccinated.
Dr. Paul Offit of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia says it's “heartbreaking” knowing that there's a way prevent such cases.
During the week of Dec. 21-27, an average of 334 children with the coronavirus were admitted per day to hospitals, a 58% increase from the week before, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.