Rise in state coronavirus cases slowing down

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said Monday that the number of new COVID-19 cases in the state seems to have leveled off a bit the last few days, but cautioned it may not mean anything.

After 1,404 new cases Friday, followed by 1,597 Saturday and it dropped by 100 to 1,497 new cases Sunday and dipped a little more Monday, with 1,470 new cases reported.

“Whenever we have a plateau or even a decrease in terms of the numbers of new cases, I consider that good news,” Levine said. “However, it is way too early to tell whether we are seeing a true plateau.” 

The total number of cases in the state now stands at 12,980 and there have been 162 deaths.  

Gov. Tom Wolf reiterated that two days is not enough to tell if tides are turning, but said the numbers show social distancing “seems to be making a difference.”

Wolf said it is “our fervent hope” that the flatter increase could mean the expected surge won’t be as bad as expected.

In Allegheny County, there are 642 cases with four deaths. In Fayette, there are 29 cases and one death.

Washington County has 53 cases and Westmoreland has 157. Neither county has reported a death.

The DOH signed a contract Monday with ECRI, an independent, nonprofit health services research organization, to help with the COVID-19 response, particularly in long-term care facilities.

“It’s imperative that the state do all that we can to protect all Pennsylvanians, but especially those most vulnerable to COVID-19, and so the Department of Health made the right decision to enlist experts in the field of infection control to help protect those in the state’s long-term care facilities,” Wolf said.

With decades of experience in assisting during outbreaks, ECRI will provide individualized infection control and prevention assistance to long-term care facilities. 

Staffers will be available over the phone for 12 hours a day on weekdays and will coordinate with the Department Operations Center, providing support to those working in coronavirus response. 

ECRI will also help the department evaluate personal protective equipment and research different ways to maximize available resources.

“Now more than ever, as we continue to see COVID-19 cases and deaths rise in Pennsylvania, we need Pennsylvanians to take action,” Levine said. “Those actions should be to stay calm, stay home and stay safe. If you must go out, please limit it to as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but other people as well.”