December 7, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today announced that as of November 28, there have been 480 laboratory-confirmed flu cases and one flu-associated death statewide. As flu season intensifies, Pennsylvanians need to get their flu vaccine.
“We are two months into this flu season and 10 months into the COVID-19 pandemic,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “This is not the time to become complacent in safety practices. Instead, do your part to answer the call to wear a mask, wash your hands, social distance, download the COVID Alert PA app and follow all of the mitigation efforts in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 and the flu.”
December 7, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 306 licensed liquor establishments from Friday, December 4 through Sunday, December 6 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.
December 7, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 7, that there were 6,330 new cases, in addition to 8,630 new cases reported Sunday, December 6 for a two-day total of 14,960 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 426,444.
There are 5,300 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 1,107 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 7, 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.
“Our case investigations and contact tracers are continuing to work to reach COVID-19 cases and their contacts,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We need to emphasize the importance of Pennsylvanians staying home and continuing to take steps to protect themselves as this virus remains a major threat across our communities. Pennsylvanians are encouraged to wash their hands frequently, practice social distancing, wear a mask, avoid gatherings, and download the COVID Alert PA app on their phones to be notified if they came into contact with someone who later tested positive.”
December 7, 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 48,668 cases, statewide percent positivity of 14.4%, and 66 of 67 counties with substantial transmission status.
December 7, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today notified health care providers that, effective immediately, it has aligned its quarantine guidance for people exposed to COVID-19 with the new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced earlier this week that provides an option for a 10-day quarantine without testing or a seven-day quarantine with a negative test on or after day-five of quarantine.
December 5, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 5, that there were 12,884 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 411,484. This is the highest daily increase of COVID-19 cases.
There are 5,230 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 1,065 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 4, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today notified health care providers that, effective immediately, it has aligned its quarantine guidance for people exposed to COVID-19 with the new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced earlier this week that provides an option for a 10-day quarantine without testing or a seven-day quarantine with a negative test on or after day-five of quarantine.
December 4, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 4, that there were 11,763 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 398,600. This is the highest daily increase of COVID-19 cases.
There are 5,071 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 1,065 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 4, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – As COVID-19 and flu remain threats in our communities, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today shared that regular hand washing is one of the most important steps we can take to get rid of germs and keep them from spreading to ultimately protect ourselves and others from getting sick or dying.
“Regular handwashing can truly save lives,” Dr. Levine said. “Whether you are at home, at work, or out in the community, you should wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or the time it takes to sing ‘happy birthday’ twice, so you can protect yourself and your family. As a pediatrician, I echo the importance of teaching children to wash their hands early and often to ensure they do not run the risk of getting sick or spreading germs to others.”
December 3, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 3, that there were 11,406 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 386,837. This is the highest daily increase of COVID-19 cases.
There are 4,982 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 1,048 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 3, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf announced that U.S. Specialty Formulations (USSF), LLC, a pharmaceutical manufacturing company, will expand its operations in Allentown, Lehigh County to continue its work developing a COVID-19 vaccine in partnership with VaxForm, LLC. This project will create at least 97 new, high-paying positions at the site.
December 3, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – With the surge in COVID-19 cases continuing, starting Monday, Dec. 7, the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex will close to the public until further notice. All operations of the Governor’s Office and General Assembly will continue, but access to the Capitol Complex will be limited to employees and people with badge keycard credentials.
The cancelation of visits and events applies to all interior venues in the Capitol Complex and will affect rallies, school or group tours, choir performances, receptions, and other public gatherings. The Capitol Complex includes, but is not limited to, the Main Capitol Rotunda, East Wing Rotunda, Keystone Building Atrium, Forum Auditorium and The State Museum of Pennsylvania.
December 2, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak today cautioned that the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) programs are set to expire Dec. 26. An estimated 400,000 PUA claimants and 109,000 PECU claimants will lose their critical benefits if the U.S. Senate does not extend the program.
December 2, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 1, that there were 8,291 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 375,431.
There are 4,744 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 967 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 2, 2020
Harrisburg, PA — Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections employees have been faced with a myriad of challenges and have adapted their operations to ensure safety of inmates and employees.
“As is the case with all corrections employees, when a challenge presents itself, they rally and answer the call for help through creativity and hard work,” Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said. “One specific area that went above and beyond is Pennsylvania Correctional Industries (PCI).”
December 2, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration today began distribution of the eighth allotment of COVID-19 antigen test kits provided by the federal government to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified institutions in Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Fulton and Jefferson 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 1, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf and Director of Testing and Contact Tracing Michael Huff today announced the extension of the Department of Health’s contract with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare (AMI) to provide COVID-19 testing in five regions across Pennsylvania to help contain local spread of COVID-19.
“Every day COVID continues to spread in the commonwealth, every day our numbers continue to rise, and that puts our health care system and our health care workers at greater risk,” Gov. Wolf said. “To help stop the spread, we are announcing a new testing strategy in the commonwealth, one that will help improve access to testing for Pennsylvanians in every region of the state.”
December 1, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 1, that there were 5,676 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 367,140.
There are 4,631 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 970 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.
