rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
jcarreon@myweeklysentinel.com
CANTON — Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine held a press release Tuesday regarding the updated number of COVID cases in Pennsylvania and the course of action.
“It is our collective responsibility to protect our communities and our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians from COVID-19 and to continue to work together to get through this pandemic. These targeted mitigation efforts, combined with existing ones, are paramount to saving lives and protecting our economy,” Gov. Wolf said. “The administration will continue to monitor the risks posed by COVID-19 across the commonwealth and will reinstate or institute new targeted mitigation tactics as necessary.”
Levine announced new orders to try to slow the spread of Coronavirus. These do not limit specific businesses, at least not yet. She said that depends on people following current orders to slow the spread.
Hospitals
Levine asks all hospitals and health care systems in the state to work together to come up with a plan to work together to avoid specific hospitals/facilities from getting overwhelmed. Also, move up elective procedures to now and be prepared to postpone them.
Travel order
Levine also issued an order that anyone who visits Pennsylvania from another state must have a negative test result within 72 hours of coming here.
If they don’t get a negative test, they must quarantine here until they do, up to 14 days.
This also applies to any Pennsylvanian who travels to other states and then comes home.
It does NOT apply to people who cross state lines for work. (It’s not quite clear how this would be enforced, but she says it is enforceable)
Mask order
Expands current mask order to say that masks must be worn at all times when indoors at work or businesses or anywhere outside of your home even if you are socially distanced.
Colleges/Universities:
Higher education institutions must increase testing strategies including testing students whenever they return to campus from breaks or for a new semester.
“We must remain united in stopping COVID-19,” Dr. Levine said. “Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay apart and download the COVID Alert PA app. If you test positive, please answer the call of the case reviewer and provide information that can help protect others. It’s the selfless, right thing to do,” Levine said in a press release.
To date, Bradford County has 1,439 cases. Of those, there are 29 deaths.
The Sentinel will update information as it becomes available.