Posted on 10/14/2020 12:05:01 PM PDT by lightman
Health Department Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine cautioned on Wednesday Pennsylvania is facing a fall resurgence of coronavirus.
Its very hard to predict what the future will bring, but we have been talking for months that we were concerned that as we entered the fall season, as the weather started to change, that we would see a resurgence in terms of the numbers of COVID-19, she said during a news conference at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency offices.
Over the past nine days, Pennsylvania has reported more than 1,000 daily new cases after its latest update said that there were 1,276 new ones as of 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday. In addition, the number of hospitalizations in the state has nearly doubled in the past month with 773 patients currently hospitalized.
Also, Pennsylvania is clearly not an island, and we are reflecting what the rest of the country is seeing, Levine added.
She noted across the nation, especially in the Midwest and parts of the West, cases are rising and there is no way to know when the peak will occur or how it will compare to spring.
Fall and winter is traditionally a time when respiratory viruses spread as people spend more time indoors, Levine said, adding the recent spikes have been among younger people, and not just the college age group, but those in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
In recent weeks, several colleges have reported outbreaks with some schools including Temple University resorting to full-time remote classes. Penn State University has seen about 3,355 positive cases to date at its main campus.
The Health Department Secretary said that there are more hospitalizations and a rise in the statewide percent positivity now compared to recent weeks months. She also said that the numbers still do not match what was seen in the spring, and added that a rise in the number of daily testing results is playing a role in the case increases, too.
Compared to the spring, Levine noted Pennsylvania has more resources in its arsenal to fight the spread of COVID-19, including increased testing and more robust case investigation and contact tracing. In addition, she stressed the healthcare system is better prepared with more personal protection equipment.
In the past month, the state also launched a COVID app to track cases and help with contact tracing.
Starting this week, the state will have another tool in the form of weekly shipments of 250,000 COVID-19 antigen rapid test kits from the federal government. The test kits will be distributed by need through the end of December to K-12 schools and teachers, colleges, day care workers, health care organizations and drug and alcohol treatment providers, among others.
Pennsylvania is being allocated 3.8 million of the tests, which provide results within 15 minutes. The first ones will be prioritized to counties deemed at high to moderate risk including Bradford, Centre, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Snyder.
Pennsylvanias COVID-19 testing goals remain, ensuring testing is accessible for all Pennsylvanians with symptoms of COVID-19, said Michael Huff, Commonwealths testing and contact tracing director.
At this juncture, Levine said the state has no plans at this time to change the mitigation orders that are already in place." Also, there are no further plans for business restrictions or stay-at-home orders, she said.
While Levine couldnt link the recent uptick to large gatherings such as President Donald Trumps rally at Harrisburg International Airport in late September, she said the virus can spread at both large and small events.
The director of the CDC has said that it really is small gatherings that tend to be driving that and I think we are seeing that in Pennsylvania, she said.
As far as fans gathering at NFL stadiums for football games such as the Philadelphia Eagles game this weekend, Levine stressed her department has been in communication with Pennsylvanias two pro teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers. Data from previous NFL games where limited fans were in the stands and followed social distancing and mask use showed no evidence of an increase in cases, she said.
I think fans should feel safe. I think the Philadelphia Eagles have really robust protections in place for the fans that will be entering, she said.
Dr. (Dickless) "Rachel" Levine.
Born Richard Levine; self mutilation could not remove that pesky "Y" chromosome.
Pennsylvania Ping!
Please ping me with articles of interest.
FReepmail me to be added to the list.
That’s a shock. Just in time for the general election.
Yes. He doesn’t just sport the mark of the beast. He is the beast. Apparently.
Its RICHARD.....not RACHEL.
May I be the first to call BS on this?
Truth.
Influenza Death rate .10%
COVID death rate .13%
Pretty much applies to ANY sporting event in Filthydelphia, the city of brotherly thugs.
It’s all bullshit!! Show me how many were hospitalized and how many died along with detailed demographics.
Trump is putting the fear of God in the libs and this is a way to keep folks from voting. The problem is it is the Libs who are in panic mode and nit our side.
If you can go to an Eagles game and dodge fists and snowballs, you can vote in person.
COVID= AUTOMATIC DEATH
Thanks to an irresponsible media.
Right on queue, a manufactured second wave just a couple of weeks before the election.
I dont believe a word this ASSHAT SAYS!! I PRAY the freedom loving people of Pennsylvania dont either!! From the looks of Trumps rally last night America has had ENOUGH!!{
So, the yearly flu season has begun. Ho hum.
You can’t call someone Richard when they are Dickless. That would be transphobic. Or whatever.
Is anyone really listening to these mental patients anymore?
To the demented, perverted and vile scum that make up the Demonic Party and its constituency, behold... this is the picture of credibility.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.