Region sees 12 more deaths from COVID-19

Mar. 4—A dozen more Northeast Pennsylvania residents have died from the coronavirus, according to data released Thursday from the state Department of Health.

With 12 deaths also reported Wednesday, this is the first time in nearly three weeks the region has seen double-digit death totals for two days in a row.

The seven-county region — Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties — also saw an additional 210 positive COVID-19 cases. Statewide, an additional 3,028 cases brought the statewide total to 941,439. The department also reported another 50 new deaths statewide, for a total of 24,219.

The additional deaths come as the state works to distribute vaccines. More than 2.6 million have been given to date, with 830,000 people receiving both doses, Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said during a virtual press conference Thursday.

"We know the demand for these vaccines is currently greater than the supply," she said.

The state assured the public the allocation of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines to school employees first will not impact the distribution of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.

By county:

* Lackawanna added 32 cases for 14,104 total, including 2,138 probable. Four new deaths raised the county total to 427.

* Luzerne added 64 cases for 25,097 total, including 1,836 probable, and added four new deaths, for a total of 739.

* Monroe added 52 cases for 9,835 total, including 254 probable, and added three new deaths, for a total of 272.

* Pike added 25 cases for 2,593 total, including 228 probable, and remained at 48 deaths.

* Susquehanna added nine cases for 1,726 total, including 200 probable, and remained at 53 deaths.

* Wayne added 19 cases for 3,094 total, including 273 probable, and added one death, for a total of 67.

* Wyoming added nine cases for 1,180 total, including 196 probable, and remained at 42 deaths.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter.