December 14, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 526 licensed liquor establishments from Friday, December 11 through Sunday, December 13 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements, including the suspension of in-person service from December 12, 2020 through January 4, 2021, as outlined in the limited-time mitigation order.
December 14, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 14, that there were 7,962 new cases, in addition to 10,684 new cases reported Sunday, December 13 for a two-day total of 18,646 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 499,764.
There are 5,970 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 1,227 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.
December 14, 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, highlighting a seven-day case increase of 60,412 cases, a statewide percent positivity of 16.2% and all 67 counties with substantial transmission status.
The update includes the following:
December 14, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf participated in a media call today with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Protect Our Care Coronavirus War Room Director Zac Petkanas to make the case for immediate passage of a much-needed state and local bipartisan Congressional COVID relief package.
“The situation we are in is dire,” Gov. Wolf said. “In Pennsylvania, the pandemic is far worse now than it was in the spring when we successfully took action to flatten the curve. Our hospitals are now in danger of being overwhelmed by COVID-19, a scenario that would have devastating consequences for our entire health care system if we let it come to pass.
December 12, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 12, that there were 11,084 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 481,118.
There are 5,668 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 1,151 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.
December 11, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine yesterday testified in front of the Senate, Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety at a hearing entitled, “The Logistics of Transporting a COVID-19 VaccineOpens In A New Window.”
“The introduction of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines will be a critical tool to combat the rampant viral spread in the United States,” Dr. Levine said in her testimony. “However, distributing the COVID-19 vaccine along with administrating it is a herculean effort.”
December 11, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf announced that on Thursday evening, he received his second negative PCR test since his diagnosis. The governor had a positive PCR test on Tuesday and negative PCR tests on Wednesday evening and Thursday evening. It appears the positive PCR test on Tuesday came at the end of the course of his virus. Throughout the course of the virus, the governor was asymptomatic.
“I extend my deepest gratitude for all of the well wishes sent to Frances and me,” said Gov. Wolf. “We appreciate the prayers and support of Pennsylvanians and count ourselves lucky that my course of the virus was asymptomatic.
December 11, 2020
One day after Governor Tom Wolf and Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced stricter mitigation measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19 cases to protect Pennsylvanians and the state’s health care systems, workers and businesses, health care organizations and other groups are showing their support for the plans.
December 11, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 766 licensed liquor establishments from Monday, December 7 through Thursday, December 10 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 10 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.
December 11, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Acting Education Secretary Noe Ortega and Deputy Secretary Matt Stem hosted a media-only virtual press conference to provide school-specific information related to Governor Wolf’s recently announced updated mitigation order. Ortega and Stem also reiterated the availability of resources, guidance, and recommendations developed to help schools safely navigate COVID-19 as they progress through the 2020-21 academic year.
December 11, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Yesterday, Department of Corrections (DOC) leaders began to reorganize the state prison system to continue and improve its COVID-19 mitigation efforts. This 13-day system reset will maximize bed space throughout the DOC and changes the mission of the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Smithfield (Huntingdon County). The facility will now serve as a central reception facility for new male inmate commitments and parole violators. It also will operate a new, regional infirmary for male inmates who do not have COVID-19.
December 10, 2020
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today implored Pennsylvanians to take the next three weeks and stand united against the virus by adhering to existing mitigation orders and stricter efforts announced today.
“Today I am announcing additional, temporary COVID-19 protective mitigation measures in the commonwealth,” said Gov. Wolf. “With these measures in place, we hope to accomplish three goals: First, stop the devastating spread of COVID-19 in the commonwealth. Second, keep our hospitals and health care workers from becoming overwhelmed. And third, help Pennsylvanians get through the holiday season – and closer to a widely available vaccine – as safely as possible. This is a bridge to a better future in Pennsylvania.”
December 10, 2020
First Lady Frances Wolf announced today that she has tested negative for COVID-19. She will continue to quarantine at home, as per CDC and Department of Health guidelines.
This comes after Governor Tom Wolf tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, December 8. Governor Wolf is in isolation at home, is feeling well, and continues to be asymptomatic.
December 10, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 10, that there were 11,972 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 457,289.
There are 5,852 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 1,191 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.
December 10, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of State’s Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation (BEI) today released data related to COVID-19 enforcement actions from Nov. 29 through Dec. 6.
With COVID cases increasing across the commonwealth, 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.
December 9, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf announced today that he tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday and is in isolation at home.
The governor released the following statement:
“During a routine test yesterday, I tested positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms and am feeling well. I am following CDC and Department of Health guidelines. Frances has been tested and, as we await the result, is quarantining at home with me.
“I am continuing to serve the commonwealth and performing all of my duties remotely, as many are doing during the pandemic.
December 9, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 9, that there were 8,703 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 445,317.
There are 5,561 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 1,160 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.
December 9, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from November 30 through December 6, 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.
December 9, 2020
As COVID-19 cases rise in Pennsylvania and across the country, so does the need for testing and contact tracing. Director of Testing and Contact Tracing, Michael Huff, and Special Assistant on Contact Tracing for the Department of Health, Lindsey Mauldin, presented details on testing to date, upcoming expanded testing sites, and a closer look at contact tracing. They were joined by contact tracer Silicia Lomax.
December 8, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority awarded $1.7 million in COVID-19 Restart Grants to 11 energy efficiency, solar energy, high-performance building, and electric vehicle charging projects halted by the pandemic.
“We’re pleased to help this outstanding set of clean energy and energy efficiency projects get going again,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “In addition to supporting current and new jobs to assist in Pennsylvania’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ll help improve air quality in their communities by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce energy waste and demand on the grid.”
December 8, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced beginning Thursday, December 10, regional drive-thru and indoor walk-in testing clinics will be held in Clinton, Delaware, Greene, Warren and Wyoming counties. The counties with testing sites will change each week over the next 11 weeks so that 61 counties will eventually be covered by dedicated pop-up testing sites.
“Over the past several weeks, we have seen a rapid increase of positive case counts reaching record-high levels, which gives us significant cause for concern,” Dr. Levine said. “In fact, every county now has a positivity-rate greater than five percent, which is alarming. In addition, nine counties have percent positivity above 20 percent.”
December 8, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration today began distribution of the ninth allotment of COVID-19 antigen test kits provided by the federal government to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified institutions in Carbon, Clarion, Lycoming, Northampton, Potter and York counties.
“Antigen test cards are a timely, quick and easy-to-use tool for communities to receive rapid COVID-19 testing,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel 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 and are less sensitive than PCR tests for detecting COVID-19 infections.”
December 8, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 8, that there were 10,170 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 436,614.
There are 5,421 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 1,115 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.
December 8, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture today announced the cancellation of the annual butter sculpture, scheduled to among virtual features in the 2021 Farm Show.
“Pennsylvania is experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases with higher daily case counts than we saw in the spring,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “While we are heartbroken to have to cancel popular features of our annual Farm Show, we simply cannot afford to compromise the health and safety of our staff, the sculptors who would have to travel to Harrisburg, and those involved in recording and broadcasting virtual events.
December 7, 2020
As the fall surge of COVID-19 cases continues to surpass record highs nearly every day and the state’s health care systems move precariously close to being overwhelmed, Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today sounded the alarm to Pennsylvanians that mitigation efforts must be followed, or we risk tragic consequences.
“If we don’t slow the spread of this dangerous virus now, the reality is that COVID-19 will overwhelm our hospitals and our health care workers,” Gov Wolf said. ‘That’s dangerous for everyone who needs medical care in a hospital for any reason, because it stretches resources and staff to the breaking point.”
