September 23, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 23, that there were 898 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 152,544. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between September 16 and September 22 is 181,386 with 5,432 positive cases. There were 23,750 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 22. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
September 23, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 1,107 licensed liquor establishments from Monday, September 21 through Tuesday, September 22 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 13 notices of violation and 11 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.
September 23, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today reminded Pennsylvania dairy farmers that the deadline to apply for the CARES Act-funded Dairy Indemnity Program, which provides financial relief for losses due to discarded or displaced milk during the COVID-19 pandemic, is September 30, 2020.
“Early in the pandemic, our dairy industry was in a complete free-fall with no certainty,” said Secretary Redding. “This program is providing much-needed relief to our farmers. If you know a dairy farmer that faced the hardship of dumping milk down the drain, urge them to apply for the Dairy Indemnity Program. This is not a hand out, it’s a hand up.”
September 23, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine today urged an increased awareness about sepsis, a serious infection that is the most common complication observed in severe cases of COVID-19 and can lead to life-threatening complications and death.
“Sepsis was among the most common reasons for hospitalization in the state last year,” Dr. Levine said. “As we have become better at addressing sepsis, we have seen hospitalizations and mortality rates decrease. It is essential that health care providers, public health and loved ones all are aware of the seriousness of sepsis, and what should be done if you think you have this serious infection.”
September 22, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from September 14 through September 20, 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.
September 22, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 22, that there were 834 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 151,646. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
Centre is reporting an increase of 185 cases.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between September 15 and September 21 is 179,343 with 5,749 positive cases. There were 23,317 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 21. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
September 22, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Human Services (DHS) today issued updated COVID-19 guidanceOpens In A New Window for personal care homes, assisted living residences, and private intermediate care facilities covering screening and surveillance testing for residents and staff, expanding visitation, and circumstances when and how facilities can safely relax mitigation tactics. The guidance reflects Pennsylvania and facilities’ evolving knowledge of and experience facing COVID-19 and current best practices to protect residents and staff of long-term care facilities.
September 21, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf today vetoed House Bill 2787, which would have mandated that school fall activities be under the sole jurisdiction of local school districts. This bill is superfluous given that local school governing bodies already have authority but it restricts state and local officials’ ability to respond to health concerns and potential outbreaks as we enter this year’s particularly risky flu season.
The bill would have done nothing more than create legislation for something that already exists. Instead of drafting bills such as this the legislature should be focused on bills that protect the health and safety of our children in their learning environments, minimize exposure to COVID-19 and prevent the spread of this deadly virus.
September 21, 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.
September 21, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 21, that there were 234 new cases, in addition to 733 new cases reported on Sunday, September 20 for a two-day total of 967 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 150,812. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between September 14 and September 20 is 180,596 with 6,135 positive cases. There were 23,140 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 20. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
September 21, 2020
Six months after the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Wolf today highlighted the Wolf Administration’s efforts to respond to the state’s critical need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure that mitigation-related products, from masks and medical equipment to cleaning and sanitation supplies, are available, accessible and plentiful.
“In the early days of the pandemic, this administration took numerous steps to secure sources of PPE to ensure that Pennsylvanians were protected and that our health system was not overwhelmed,” Gov. Wolf said. “Our proactive and ongoing efforts to secure PPE, coupled with the flexibility and ingenuity displayed by Pennsylvania’s business community, helped us secure and allocate PPE. Because of the steps we took, our hospitals were not overburdened, and our medical system was not strained. Now, six months after the virus first appeared in the commonwealth, we can say with confidence that we are prepared to stay safe as we continue to fight this pandemic.”
September 19, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 19, that there were 1,162 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 149,845. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between September 12 and September 18 is 175,962 with 5,798 positive cases. There were 28,985 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 18. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
September 18, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Education today reminded school districts that the federal court ruling issued earlier this week is not a blanket end to the protection and mitigation orders that protect people from the deadly virus of COVID-19 and that we must all stay the course to protect ourselves, our families, and communities. The full letter follows:
September 18, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 549 licensed liquor establishments from Wednesday, September 16 through Thursday, September 17 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 two notices of violation and 11 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.
September 18, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today notified Pennsylvanians that the remaining nine Walmart drive-thru and parking lot COVID-19 testing sites across the state will be closing upon the completion of testing on September 25 due to a low number of people being tested. Other testing sites are available.
“When we established our testing strategy, we wanted testing to be accessible, available and adaptable,” Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “I’m pleased to say that we have met that challenge in 13 communities thanks to Quest Diagnostics and Walmart. On behalf of the Department of Health, I want to thank Quest Diagnostics and Walmart for their continued collaboration and hard work to ensure Pennsylvanians have access to testing. We are committed to ensuring that testing is available to everyone close to home and will have testing options available in the counties where these sites were located. All Pennsylvanians who believe they are in need of a COVID-19 test and meet testing criteria are encouraged to get tested today.”
September 18, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 18, that there were 760 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 148,683. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between September 11 and September 17 is 172,682 with 6,046 positive cases. There were 26,068 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 17. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
September 18, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced beginning Friday, Sept. 25, testing clinics will be held at locations in Centre and Columbia counties to contain the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in these counties. In addition, the department is working closely with Centre County in regard to their increase in cases over the last several weeks.
The department has signed a contract with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare (AMI) to provide testing in communities in need across Pennsylvania. AMI will be deploying teams to perform the community testing.
September 17, 2020
As part of the Wolf Administration’s ongoing efforts to ensure public health and safety and support economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tom Wolf and Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine today signed new orders following the recent announcement that restaurants may increase indoor occupancy to 50 percent starting Monday, September 21. The orders apply to all restaurants, private social clubs and food service businesses that serve dine-in, sit down food in a regular, non-event capacity. The order requires that serving alcohol for on-site consumption must end at 11:00 PM starting on Monday, September 21 and all alcoholic beverages must be removed from patrons by midnight. This applies to both restaurants that do not self-certify to increase to 50 percent and those that choose to stay at 25 percent. There is no change to the requirements for the temporary sale of cocktails-to-go and take out alcohol sales from bars, restaurants or hotels with a liquor license.
September 17, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak reminded eligible Pennsylvanians to apply as soon as possible for up to six weeks of assistance through the federal Lost Wages Assistance Program (LWA), which provides up to $300 a week extra in additional funds to individuals that are unemployed (or partially unemployed) because of COVID-19.
“We encourage eligible claimants who are partially or fully unemployed due to COVID-19 who have not yet applied for LWA benefits to do so right away,” said Secretary Oleksiak. “The department will continue making these payments until the program funding we’ve already received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is depleted.”
September 17, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf called on the General Assembly to provide additional funding for the COVID-19 Hazard Pay Program to support front-line workers risking their health to continue working in life-sustaining industries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Pennsylvanians who work front-line, essential jobs during this pandemic deserve our gratitude and our respect, but even more, they deserve compensation for their hard work. The COVID-19 Hazard Pay Grant Program was created to keep front-line employees working in vital industry sectors and to compensate workers appropriately for the additional hazards their jobs entail during a pandemic,” Gov. Wolf said. “The overwhelming response we received for this program shows a clear need for additional hazard pay funding, and so I am calling on the General Assembly to allocate additional and much-needed funds so that we can further support workers who put their health on the line to keep life-sustaining services operating for all of us.”
September 17, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 17, that there were 933 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 147,923. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
Allegheny is reporting an increase of 83 cases, Centre is reporting an increase of 88, Philadelphia is reporting an increase of 83 cases, and York is reporting an increase of 24 cases.
September 17, 2020
Chambersburg, PA – At Karimar Grocery in Franklin County today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin announced that more than 100 projects, funding access for fresh food in low-income communities, have received grants through Pennsylvania’s $10 million Fresh Food Financing Initiative.
“There are three keys to food security — Is food available, is food affordable, and is food safe?” said Redding. “The Fresh Food Financing Initiative helps make ‘yes’ the answer to all three questions. Early in the pandemic, we were all shocked by the empty grocery store shelves. This program has given us the ability to offset the costs food retailers have incurred in making fresh, nutritious food available while safeguarding their employees and customers.”
September 16, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 16, that there were 776 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 146,990. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between September 9 and September 15 is 173,790 with 5,855 positive cases. There were 24,442 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 15. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
September 16, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 1,031 licensed liquor establishments from Monday, September 14 through Tuesday, September 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.
September 15, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine today reminded Pennsylvanians that the decision issued in the Butler County case rendered yesterday is not a blanket end to the protection and mitigation orders in place to protect people from the deadly virus of COVID-19 and we must all stay the course to protect ourselves, our families, and communities.
“The orders that the governor and I put in place on mask-wearing, mandatory telework, worker safety, building safety and hospital safety are all still in effect to protect Pennsylvanians, especially our frontline workers,” Dr. Levine said. “These existing – and still valid – orders were put in place in the absence of any federal leadership at a time when life-saving decisions needed to be made. Saving lives has been the cornerstone of all of our decisions, including the orders referenced in the case that have since expired.
