Breakthrough Covid Cases on the Rise in PA

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Breakthrough cases, Covid-19 patients who got sick after being vaccinated, are on the rise in Pennsylvania, but state health officials say it is not unexpected or a bad sign.
According to data released today`by the state Health Department 69,822 breakthrough cases have been reported which represents about 9 percent of the state's total of 771,734 Covid cases. That compares with 35,389 breathrough cases reported in mid-Septemer.
In addition 3,247 Covid breakthroughs have needed hospitalization, which is about seven percent of the state's total hospitalizations.
Deaths among breakthrough patients have hit 518 in Pennsylvania or about seven percent of total deaths.
In September the agency reported 213 breakthrough patient had died and 1,820 were hospitalized, In statements released today, state health officials said the increase in breakthrough cases was not unexpected, but noted that the number of breakthroughs resulting in hospitalizations and death did not increase by a comparable amount.
Acting Health Secretary Allison Beam said the data shows that outcomes for the vaccinated who later suffer breakthroughs are much less likely to suffer death or hospitalizations.
Acting Physician General Denise Johnson stated that an increase in breakthough cases was expected as more residents are vaccinated.