March 1, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health (DOH) 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, as more than 796,000 have already done to aid in contact tracing efforts. There are 26 counties in the substantial level of COVID-19 transmission rate.
“This week we reached nearly half of the individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 to complete a case investigation to find out where the individual went and who they came in contact with while infectious,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “We thank those who are participating in these proven public health practices to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.”
March 1, 2021
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 12,967, a statewide percent positivity of 6.3% and 26 counties with substantial transmission status.
March 1, 2021
As COVID-19 cases continue to decline and the state’s vaccination plan is amplified, the Wolf Administration announced revised and lifted mitigation restrictions that are effective statewide today.
“Pennsylvania is taking a measured approach to revising or lifting mitigation orders,” Gov. Wolf said. “The reason we are seeing cases drop can be attributed, in part, to people following the mitigation efforts we have in place. Mask-wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene are making a difference and need to continue even as we see more and more people fully vaccinated. We need to balance protecting public health with leading the state to a robust economic recovery. We are lifting mitigation efforts only when we believe it is safe to do so.”
March 1, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., March 1, there were 1,628 additional positive cases of COVID-19, in addition to 1,945 new cases reported Sunday, February 28, for a two-day total of 3,573 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 933,270.
There are 1,720 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 374 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.
February 27, 2021
The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 27, there were 3,361 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 929,697.
There are 1,897 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 403 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.
February 26, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today announced that Pennsylvanians can now use COVID Alert PA to access important COVID-19 vaccine information through an updated version of the app.
“More than 792,000 Pennsylvanians who have downloaded COVID Alert PA have been asking for the ability to access vaccine information through the app so it’s easier for themselves, their family members, and their loved ones to stay up-to-date on the vaccine process,” Acting Secretary Beam said. “Through this update, users can now find the number of Pennsylvanians vaccinated, the locations of our vaccine providers, and can access the Your Turn eligibility tool through the app. We are continuously working to make certain that every Pennsylvanian has access to the most updated COVID-19 vaccine information in the state and are continuing to ensure the vaccine is provided in an ethical, equitable, and efficient way.”
February 26, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 26, there were 3,346 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 926,336.
There are 1,962 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 421 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.
February 26, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today announced beginning Monday, March 1, regional drive-thru, outdoor walk-up, and indoor walk-in COVID-19 testing clinics will be held Fayette, Forest, Lycoming, Perry, and Susquehanna counties. This is the last of a 12-week testing initiative to offer free COVID-19 pop-up testing sites in 61 Pennsylvanian counties through a contract with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare (AMI).
“While recent decreases in daily positive cases are promising, they don’t negate the need for testing,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “We encourage anyone who feels they need or want a test to take advantage of these free pop-up testing locations.”
February 26, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today announced that it has aligned its COVID-19 quarantine guidance for fully vaccinated individuals with that of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“We know that Pennsylvanians are eager to get vaccinated and be further protected from COVID-19,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “As the CDC continues to update guidance for individuals who are fully vaccinated, we will follow their lead. I want to stress, though, that regardless of vaccination status, individuals who are showing new or unexplained symptoms of COVID-19 still need to isolate and be tested for COVID-19.”
February 25, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 25, there were 2,356 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 922,990.
There are 1,972 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 433 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.
February 24, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 24, there were 2,786 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 920,634.
There are 1,963 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 418 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. There was no change in the data since yesterday. 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.
February 23, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 23, there were 2,830 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 917,848.
There are 1,963 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 418 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.
February 23, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health (DOH) 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, as more than 790,000 have already done to aid in contact tracing efforts. There are 40 counties in the substantial level of COVID-19 transmission rate.
February 22, 2021
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 14,886, a statewide percent positivity of 6.5% and 40 counties with substantial transmission status.
February 22, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 22, there were 1,521 additional positive cases of COVID-19, in addition to 1,906 new cases reported Sunday, February 21, for a two-day total of 3,427 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 915,018.
There are 1,959 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 421 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.
February 20, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 20, that there were 2,818 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 911,591.
There are 2,061 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 441 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.
February 19, 2021
Today, Governor Tom Wolf signed a fourth renewal of his 90-day Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. The first proclamation was signed on March 6, following the announcement of the first two presumptive positive cases of the virus in Pennsylvania.
“COVID-19 vaccinations have begun, but we are still in the early stages of vaccine administration,” said Governor Wolf. “We will continue to prioritize a safe, efficient and equitable distribution process, and expect vaccinations to increase as the federal government makes more vaccine available to states. This renewal will allow the commonwealth to maintain its response and support efforts as we continue testing, contact tracing and vaccination efforts to keep Pennsylvanians safe.”
February 19, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration today provided an update on Pennsylvania’s progress administering COVID-19 vaccines to residents and staff of long-term and congregate care facilities eligible in Phase 1A. To date, more than 193,000 residents and staff of nursing facilities, personal care homes, and assisted living facilities have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose through the federal Pharmacy Partnership Program. Additionally, nearly 10,000 residents and staff of other long-term and congregate care facilities licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS) have received their first vaccine dose through the partnership with Pennsylvania-based Rite Aid, and this partnership is being expanded to include residential drug and alcohol treatment providers licensed by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) who identified as needing a vaccine provider.
February 19, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today announced beginning Sunday, February 21, regional drive-thru, outdoor walk-up, and indoor walk-in COVID-19 testing clinics will be held in Huntingdon, Lackawanna, Northumberland, Venango, and Westmoreland counties. The counties with testing sites will continue to change weekly over the next two weeks so that 61 counties will eventually be covered by dedicated pop-up testing sites over a 12-week period.
February 19, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 19, there were 2,778 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 908,773.
There are 2,124 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 467 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.
February 18, 2021
First Lady Frances Wolf addressed mental health, trauma, and equity during COVID-19 in a virtual conversation hosted on Facebook. This was the third conversation in a series titled, “The Bigger Picture,” an extension of One Lens: Sharing Our Common Views that hones in on various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, connecting this extraordinary moment to the broader community.
The full conversation can be found on the One Lens Facebook page.
February 18, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 18, there were 3,345 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 905,995.
There are 2,174 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 465 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.
February 17, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – In the January 2021 report, Pennsylvania Department of Health nursing home surveyors conducted 712 inspections, including 351 complaint investigations, of 472 separate nursing homes. Of these, 222 were COVID-19-specific investigations. There were no new sanctions finalized against a nursing care facility in the past month.
February 17, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., February 17, there were 3,413 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 902,650.
There are 2,356 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 491 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.
February 17, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the newly formed joint task force with the legislature today reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that Pennsylvanians will have access to second doses of COVID-19 vaccine within the CDC-recommended timeframe of up to 42 days after the first dose.
Acknowledging communications shortcomings and the need for more frequent outreach to providers, Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam outlined plans moving forward.
