The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Friday that there were 2,219 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 190,579.

Daily increases are now comparable with what we saw in April 2020, with Friday’s case count the largest one-day total.

There are 8,625 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 33 new deaths reported. Schuylkill County, whose cases have been increasing rapidly, reported six deaths.

“The fall resurgence is here,” Governor Tom Wolf said earlier last week. “And while we must always take this deadly virus seriously, now is the time for all of us to double down on our efforts to keep ourselves and those around us safe.”

Largely driven by the pandemic, millions of Pennsylvanians have requested mail-in ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election. State officials are urging residents to return those ballots as soon as possible to ensure they are counted.

Requests for mail-in or absentee ballots must be received by a county elections office by 5 p.m. Tuesday.