60 have died of COVID-19 in Lancaster County so far in December as overall death toll soars to 570 | Local News | lancasteronline.com

60 HAVE DIED OF COVID-19 IN LANCASTER COUNTY SO FAR IN DECEMBER AS OVERALL DEATH TOLL SOARS TO 570

COVID-related deaths in Lancaster County are rapidly accelerating, with 60 fatalities so far in December.

There were 62 COVID deaths in the county all of November.

A single nursing home — the Gardens at Stevens in Denver — accounts for the majority of the most recent deaths, Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni told LNP | LancasterOnline on Wednesday.

The number of dead in Pennsylvania climbed to 11,762 Wednesday after the state health department reported 220 fatalities, the single-highest recorded over a 24-hour reporting period since the novel coronavirus first emerged 10 months ago.

“We have noted on numerous occasions that we often see an increase in cases, then hospitalizations lag a week or two later, and deaths a week or two after that,” Nate Wardle, a spokesman for the state health department, said in an email. “This appears to be occurring yet again, which is concerning.”

Between Dec. 1 and 7, the county averaged seven deaths a day, a pace at which, if sustained, could result in 217 COVID fatalities for the month.