The Pennsylvania Department of Health reverted away from using probable COVID-19 deaths overnight causing Butler County's death toll to drop.

Butler County did not see an increase in positive cases from 164, but saw an increase in negative tests reported by 68.

However the county's death toll changed from seven deaths reported Wednesday to six reported deaths Thursday.

Changes between Wednesday and Thursdays' news releases may point to the cause of the fluctuation.

In Wednesday's release, the department reported a total death figure of 1,622 statewide. This statistic included both confirmed COVID-19 deaths and probable COVID-19 deaths. The latter being someone whose death certificate says COVID-19, but they did not have a positive test while they were alive.

“Today, the state is reporting 1,394 confirmed deaths in Pennsylvania,” said the Department of Health's update Thursday, a difference of 228 deaths.

The following data about the coronavirus pandemic is compiled daily from the Pennsylvania Department of Health's website and regular releases from Butler Health System.

Thursday's COVID-19 statistics are as follows:

* The state Department of Health reported figures on Wednesday that included probable deaths of COVID-19, which inflated some death totals. As of noon Thursday, the department reverted to using only confirmed deaths in their figures.

Confirmed cases: 164Negative tests: 1,944Deaths: 6*

New cases: 1,369Total cases: 37,053New deaths: N/A*Total deaths: 1,394*Negative tests: 142,061

Inpatients: 10Suspected: 4Confirmed: 6ICU: 0Total tests: 2,341Outdoor tests: 1,736Positive tests: 185

Inpatients: 2Suspected: 0Confirmed: 2ICU: 1Total tests: 527Outdoor tests: 436Positive tests: 20

Allegheny: 1,149 confirmed cases, 12,625 negative test results, and 69* deathsWestmoreland: 307 confirmed, 3,801 negative, and 17* deathsBeaver: 319 confirmed, 1,667 negative, and 46* deathsLawrence: 61 confirmed, 585 negative, and 5* deathsMercer: 60 confirmed, 560 negative, and 1 deathArmstrong: 43 confirmed, 552 negative, and 2 deathsClarion: 20 confirmed, 391 negative, and 1 deathVenango: 7 confirmed and 199 negative