Governor Tom Wolf and Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System dashboard, highlighting a seven-day case increase of 17,811 a statewide percent positivity of 7.5% and 35 counties with substantial transmission status.
Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today announced that Pennsylvania is expected to receive $4.9 billion in federal relief funds to help Pre-K to 12 schools return students to classroom learning and equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most.
The funding, and the state’s nearly complete special initiative to provide teachers, school staff and contractors the opportunity to get the voluntary, single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, supports the governor’s goal to help more schools to reopen and for additional students and teachers to safety return to the classroom.
Governor Tom Wolf today announced that Pennsylvania is expected to receive $4.9 billion in federal relief funds to help Pre-K to 12 schools return students to classroom learning and equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most.
The funding, and the state’s nearly complete special initiative to provide teachers, school staff and contractors the opportunity to get the voluntary, single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, supports the governor’s goal to help more schools to reopen and for additional students and teachers to safety return to the classroom.
Elizabethtown, PA – Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today visited Masonic Villages to highlight the success of vaccination efforts in nursing homes and the measures facilities have taken to support the physical and mental wellbeing of some of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents.
The latest measure includes implementing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) revised nursing home visitation guidance, which the Wolf Administration has been strongly encouraging all nursing homes in Pennsylvania to implement.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., March 29, there were 2,923 additional positive cases of COVID-19, in addition to 7,178 new cases reported for Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28 combined, for a three-day total of 10,101 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,015,268.
There are 1,856 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 366 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.
Harrisburg, PA – Stressing the need for continued COVID-19 testing even as vaccinations accelerate, the Department of Health today announced that beginning Tuesday, March 30, a long-term free indoor walk-in COVID-19 testing site will open for the general public in Centre County. This site is available through a partnership with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare (AMI) and Centre County Officials.
Shiremanstown, PA – Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller today visited the Children’s Garden of St. John’s to highlight Pennsylvania’s ongoing work to facilitate COVID-19 vaccinations for child care providers through the retail pharmacy partnership.
Pennsylvania’s child care industry has been greatly challenged during the pandemic. This initiative is easing access to COVID-19 vaccines for dedicated child care workers across the commonwealth, many of whom care for children of essential workers, and will help keep child care facilities safe for staff, children in care, and their parents and families that rely on this vital service.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., March 26, there were 4,927 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,005,167.
There are 1,717 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 358 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.
York, PA – The Wolf Administration today discussed an amended order signed by Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam, indicating that certain vaccine providers must work with local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Medical Assistance Managed Care Organizations (MA MCOs) to schedule vaccination appointments for adults eligible in Phase 1A of the state’s vaccination plan.
“We continue to hear from seniors and those with certain medical conditions who are eligible to be vaccinated in Phase 1A that they are still struggling to sign up to get vaccinated,” Acting Sec. Beam said. “Our trusted providers and the state’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging and Medical Assistance Managed Care Organizations, are doing a tremendous job partnering with providers to fix that problem and ultimately get our Phase 1A eligible Pennsylvanians vaccinated in short order so that we can continue on the path of making vaccine available for all Pennsylvanians.”
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., March 25, there were 3,623 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,000,240.
There are 1,652 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 351 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.
Harrisburg, PA – Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman is reassuring Pennsylvanians that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine will not impact their ability to purchase life insurance, or their ability to collect on a policy. In response to several concerned consumers contacting the Department, the department and the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania are urging consumers to be wary of the misinformation circulating the Internet.
Governor Tom Wolf visited Scranton Primary Health Care Center, Lackawanna County’s only federally qualified health center, to tout progress the state is making toward vaccinating eligible Pennsylvanians. The governor was joined by Rep. Marty Flynn and COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force member Rep. Bridget Kosierowski.
“Pennsylvania is making great progress in our vaccine rollout,” Gov. Wolf said. “We are committed to getting everyone in Phase 1A vaccinated as soon as possible. We’ve nearly completed vaccinations of our teachers and school staff, and those living and working in long-term care facilities who want a vaccine are getting one.”
Harrisburg, PA – Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today signed an amended order indicating that certain vaccine providers must work with local Area Agencies on Aging and Medical Assistance Managed Care Organizations to specifically schedule adults eligible in Phase 1A of the state’s vaccination plan.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., March 24, there were 4,667 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 996,617.
There are 1,631 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 341 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.
Governor Tom Wolf announced that one month after ordering providers to administer 80% of vaccine does within 7 days of receipt Pennsylvania is ranked 17th in the nation for the percent of people who have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The state ranked 30th one month ago. Vaccination data reveals more than 3 million people have received at least one dose of vaccine and more than 1.5 million are fully vaccinated.
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from March 15 – 21, 2021. 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.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., March 23, there were 3,515 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 991,950.
There are 1,577 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 335 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.
Governor Tom Wolf signed five bills, including a package of three bills bringing consistency to the rules of succession when a vacancy occurs in the office of a county district attorney.
“The legislation signed today will bring needed clarity and transparency to county government appointments,” said Gov. Wolf. “By ensuring vacancies are filled in an appropriate manner the offices are able to provide quality services to the individuals they serve.”
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of State’s Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation (BEI) today released data related to COVID-19 enforcement actions from March 14-21.
The Department of State is continuing with compliance enforcement as it relates to the regulated boards and commissions. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for the licensed professions, including social distancing, masking and occupancy limits. These numbers include actions taken during routine inspections and investigations prompted by consumer complaints.
Governor Tom Wolf announced today the special initiative to vaccinate teachers and school staff has reached another milestone with 100,000 educator vaccinations through last weekend. As of this morning, 102,161 educators have been vaccinated through 28 Intermediate Units.
“Vaccinating more than 100,000 teachers and staff in less than two weeks is a big step to help students return to the classroom and stay in school,” said Gov. Wolf. “This helps to get more kids back to school where they want to be and eases the burdens on parents and communities. It’s also another sign of hope that the light at the end of this long tunnel is getting brighter.”
Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf and Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System dashboard, highlighting a seven-day case increase of 14,182 a statewide percent positivity of 6.5% and 25 counties with substantial transmission status.
Harrisburg, PA – Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today amended the existing Universal Face Coverings order, issued on November 17, 2020, to align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People. The amended order went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 17, 2021 and will remain in effect until further notice.
“The vaccines that are currently available across the state and country are highly effective at protecting vaccinated people against severe and symptomatic COVID-19,” Acting Secretary Beam said. “Research has shown that fully vaccinated people are less likely to have asymptomatic infection and potentially less likely to spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to others. However, there is still more to learn about how long protection lasts and how much vaccines protect against new variants of the virus, so some prevention measures will continue to be in place for all people, regardless of their vaccination status.”
Doylestown, PA – Approximately two weeks after Governor Tom Wolf and the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force announced the voluntary single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine would be administered to Pre-K to 12 educators and school staff, the special initiative is ahead of schedule and proven to be a great success. As of this morning, 83,859 people have received the J&J vaccine through this initiative.
“Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our efforts to get school staff vaccinated – and for making it happen so quickly,” said Gov. Wolf. “Most importantly, vaccinating teachers will help students to get back in the classroom faster, ease the burden on parents and benefit entire communities.”
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., March 20, that there were 4,213 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 984,515.
There are 1,548 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 317 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will use a nearly $1 million federal grant to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 students across Pennsylvania and recommend educational strategies to help students and schools move forward.
“Our school communities and families have remained resilient during the pandemic, and we are thankful for their ability to pivot throughout the challenges we have faced,” said Acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega. “The ability for us to examine inequities in education will help us create responsive teaching and learning opportunities in future years.”