October 20, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 19, that there were 1,557additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 184,872.
Allegheny is reporting an increase of 106 cases, Delaware is reporting an increase of 109 cases, and Philadelphia is reporting an increase of 158 cases.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between October 13 and October 19 is 228,245 with 10,011 positive cases. There were 28,978 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., October 19.
October 20, 2020
The Wolf Administration recently participated in a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine project, which resulted in the report: Decarcerating Correctional Facilities During COVID-19. Released today, the report, which was funded by Arnold Ventures and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, offers guidance on efforts to decarcerate, or reduce the incarcerated population, as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 20, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – State Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Brightbill announced today that Pennsylvania has confirmed its first COVID-19 positive cat.
The 16-year old Cumberland County cat, who lived in a household with multiple individuals who had previously been diagnosed with COVID-19, presented in early October with mild respiratory illness. Unfortunately, as a result of respiratory distress, the cat was humanely euthanized. The case is still under investigation, and a primary cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
October 20, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today shared its weekly update on Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing data and encouraged Pennsylvanians to download the COVID Alert PA app to aid in contact tracing efforts.
“Over the past 14 days Pennsylvania has had more than 1,000 new cases each day, which also means the number of people in close contact with some with a positive test result has grown,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Our public health professionals performing the case investigations and contact tracers following up with the identified close contacts are working diligently to meet the rising need for these proven public health strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. In order to work successfully, we need Pennsylvanians to answer the phone and answer all case investigation questions. By answering the call, you are helping to complete a case investigation and protecting those you’ve been in contact with. If someone knows they’ve been exposed to COVID, they can quarantine, seek a test or medical care, and stay home to help stop the spread.”
October 19, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard. Updates are released each Monday.
The update includes the following:
- Level of community transmission as a basis for the recommendations for Pre-K to 12 schools to determine instructional models.
- Data on cases among 5-18-year-olds.
- Cases that reported visiting a business among potential locations where exposures may have occurred.
- Updated travel recommendations.
October 19, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today encouraged residents to join the more than 322,000 Pennsylvanians who have added their phones to the fight by downloading the COVID Alert PA mobile app.
“I am encouraging everyone to wear a mask, practice social distancing and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer on a regular basis,” Dr. Levine said. “I also urge every Pennsylvanian to download the COVID Alert PA so you can get a notification if you have been in close contact with someone who later tests positive for COVID-19, or anonymously notify other residents if you yourself test positive. We all play a part in stopping the spread of this virus, and by uniting together, we can all make a difference.”
October 19, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 17, that there were 1,857 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 180,943. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
Allegheny is reporting an increase of 132 cases, Philadelphia is reporting an increase of 193 cases, Berks is reporting an increase of 108 cases, Delaware is reporting an increase of 104 and Westmoreland is reporting an increase of 98 cases.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between October 10 and October 16 is 234,583 with 9,778 positive cases. There were 41,794 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., October 16.
October 19, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today reminded Pennsylvanians that domestic violence is a public health issue that leaves long-term effects on thousands of families across our commonwealth and screening for domestic violence should be a part of everyone’s preventive health care.
According to fatality researchOpens In A New Window by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), there were 112 victims in 2019 and over 1,600 victims in the last decade who became domestic violence homicide victims from preventable and reportable violence within their household leaving families without a mother, father or other household members.
October 16, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 315 licensed liquor establishments from Tuesday, October 13 through Thursday, October 15 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include social distancing, masking, and other health and safety requirements of the liquor code.
Liquor Control Enforcement Officers issued seven notices of violation and 26 warnings for failing to follow COVID-19 requirements. As mandated by the liquor code, a notice of violation precedes the issuance of an administrative citation, which is civil in nature, and is intended to provide licensed liquor establishments notification of the nature of violation(s) discovered. The investigation remains open during this period, pending review by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE). Because the investigation is ongoing, names of establishments issued a notice of violation will not be released at this time. Each BLCE district office posts a monthly public information release that includes details on citations issued by that office.
October 16, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced beginning Saturday, October 17, COVID-19 testing sites will be launched in communities in Allegheny and Dauphin counties in faith-based settings.
“Research shows that geographically, low-income areas, including Pennsylvanian communities of Black or African American, Hispanic and/or Spanish-speaking minorities, have been disproportionately affected with higher rates of COVID-19,” Dr. Levine said. “We know that appropriate testing, along with other public health interventions such as social distancing, wearing face masks, avoiding group gatherings and practicing hand washing can help communities mitigate transmission of COVID-19. In seeking to address the racial disparities of COVID-19 transmission, the department is looking to partner with important community-based organizations, such as faith-based organizations, to support and provide testing. We encourage health providers to follow our lead in partnering with faith-based organizations to create testing sites at faith-based settings in impacted communities.”
October 16, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 16, that there were 1,566 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 179,086. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
Allegheny is reporting an increase of 141 cases, Philadelphia is reporting an increase of 136 cases and Westmoreland is reporting an increase of 108 cases.
October 15, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – In the September 2020 report, Pennsylvania Department of Health nursing home surveyors conducted 543 inspections of 361 unique nursing homes, including 366 complaint investigations. Of these, 230 were COVID-19 specific. No sanctions were finalized against nursing care facilities in the last month.
“We know that congregate care settings, including nursing homes, have been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Levine said. “That is why we remain committed to protecting the health and well-being of our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians by continuing to hold nursing home operators accountable, as necessary, to ensure they are providing safe care. If you see something at a nursing home that doesn’t seem right, we encourage you to speak up.”
October 15, 2020
As the number of positive COVID-19 cases rise in Pennsylvania and as we enter flu season, protecting the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and ensuring that all Pennsylvanians have access to health coverage are more important than ever, Governor Tom Wolf said today in Chester County. The governor was joined by local elected officials and representatives from local health care organizations.
October 15, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 15, that there were 1,598 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 177,520. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
Allegheny is reporting an increase of 117 cases, Philadelphia is reporting an increase of 163 cases and Westmoreland is reporting an increase of 135 cases.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between October 8 and October 14 is 240,220 with 9,370 positive cases. There were 33,839 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., October 14.
October 15, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced beginning Friday, October 16, an outdoor testing clinic will be held in the lower parking lot at POLAR TECH in Ralpho Township, Northumberland County to contain the recent rapid increase in COVID-19 cases.
“Since the beginning of September, we have seen an increase of 598 cases in Northumberland County, which gives us significant cause for concern,” Dr. Levine said. “This testing site will be open to anyone who feels they need a test. It is important that even people with no symptoms who test positive isolate to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
October 14, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today highlighted the work under way to prepare Pennsylvania for a fall resurgence in COVID-19 cases, and to make sure all Pennsylvanians are as protected as possible from both COVID-19 and influenza.
“We have seen more than 1,000 cases a day for the past nine days, which shows that we are at the start of a fall resurgence of COVID-19,” Dr. Levine said. “While we are working to expand testing, prepare for a vaccine and prevent outbreaks, Pennsylvanians have an important role to play. We must be united by wearing a mask, washing our hands, social distancing and avoiding large gatherings, downloading the COVID Alert PA mobile app and getting a flu vaccine.”
October 14, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 14, that there were 1,276 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 175,922. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between October 7 and October 13 is 239,891 with 9,403 positive cases. There were 29,347 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., October 13.
October 14, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration today began distributing the first allotment of 250,000 COVID-19 antigen test kits provided by the federal government to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified institutions across Pennsylvania. Distribution is starting with Bradford, Centre, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Snyder counties because of the recent high disease incidence rate in these areas.
“Antigen test cards are a timely, quick and easy-to-use tool for communities to receive rapid COVID-19 testing,” Dr. Levine said. “These test kits, provided by the federal government and being distributed to areas in need by the Wolf Administration, will further help communities struggling with the spread of COVID-19. Antigen tests look for pieces of proteins that make up the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19, and are another tool in our testing toolkit to help quickly identify cases.”
October 13, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today shared its weekly update on Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing data and encouraged Pennsylvanians to download the COVID Alert PA app to aid in contact tracing efforts.
“As Pennsylvania experiences increases in cases, the demand for case investigations and contact tracing increase,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Case investigations and contact tracing are proven public health strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but in order to work successfully, we need Pennsylvanians to answer the phone. When you are confirmed positive, a public health professional will call to find out where you went while infectious and with whom you came in contact. Pennsylvanians can unite against COVID-19 by wearing a mask, washing hands, practicing social distancing, downloading the COVID Alert PA app and answering the call to stop this virus in its tracks before it affects your loved ones, co-workers or friends across the state.”
October 13, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from October 5 through October 11, 2020. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants including social distancing, masking, and occupancy limits.
These numbers include actions taken during routine food safety inspections and inspections prompted by consumer complaints.
October 13, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard.
The update includes the following:
- Level of community transmission as a basis for the recommendations for Pre-K to 12 schools to determine instructional models.
- Data on cases among 5-18-year-olds.
- Cases that reported visiting a business among potential locations where exposures may have occurred.
- Updated travel recommendations.
October 13, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 13, that there were 1,342 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 174,646. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between October 6 and October 12 is 249,065 with 9,097 positive cases. There were 34,023 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., October 12.
There are 8,384 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 16 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
October 12, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 12, that there were 1,088 new cases, in addition to 1,166 new cases reported on Sunday, October 11 for a two-day total of 2,254 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 173,304. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between October 5 and October 11 is 239,484 with 9,117 positive cases. There were 23,061 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., October 11. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
October 10, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 10, that there were 1,742 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 171,050. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
Philadelphia is reporting an increase of 151 cases.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between October 3 and October 9 is 230,104 with 8,204 positive cases. There were 47,337 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., October 8.
October 10, 2020
First Lady Frances Wolf is proud to recognize the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s announcement that allows schools to provide free meals to all students for the rest of the school year. These flexibilities, for which First Lady Wolf recently advocated alongside 17 other first partners and spouses, ensure that schools can continue to provide the meals despite the uncertainty and hardship caused by the pandemic.
“I am so glad that the USDA has taken this important step in guaranteeing that no child has to wonder where they might find their next meal,” said First Lady Wolf. “This forward-thinking provides much-needed certainty to families, school nutrition professionals, agricultural entities and community partners working to ensure that all children have access to nutritious meals as we continue to navigate a global health crisis and its subsequent economic effects. This is one piece of the puzzle for ensuring food security, and we look forward to continuing to work with USDA on the implementation of this and related efforts.”
