Coronavirus blamed for ‘high risk time’ and drug overdose spike in central Pa.

Drug overdoses have spiked in central Pennsylvania, with the rise coinciding with the stay-at-home order brought on by the new coronavirus.

In Cumberland County, 24 people have died of overdoses so far this year, with most deaths occurring after March 1, Coroner Charley Hall said Wednesday. He said almost all involved fentanyl, an opioid.

York County has seen 65 overdoses —22 more than during the same period last year, Coroner Pam Gay said. Overdoses had declined for two consecutive years in both York and Cumberland. Now both counties are on pace to top their 2019 death tolls by large margins. Perry County, which normally has 12 to 15 overdoses in a year, has had three likely overdoses within the past month, although official determinations are still pending, Coroner Bob Ressler said.

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