6 states working together on economy
By the Mon Valley Independent
Pennsylvania officials will begin working with leaders from five neighboring states to coordinate efforts to restore the economy and reopen businesses closed to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania were ordered to close March 19.
Joined by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, Delaware Gov. John Carney and Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the creation of a multi-state council.
The group, which will include one health expert, one economic development expert and respective chiefs of staff from each state, will work to develop a “fully integrated regional framework” to gradually lift stay at home orders while minimizing any risk of spreading COVID-19.
In order to accomplish its goal, the council will create its framework by using tools such as testing, contact tracing, treatment and social distancing while relying on scientific, statistical, social and economic information to manage and evaluate those tools.
“Our highest priority remains protecting the health and safety of Pennsylvanians. While my administration continues to take critical steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, I also recognize that we must look ahead and take a measured, careful approach to prepare for the future while ensuring that we don’t undo all of our efforts,” Wolf said. “Pennsylvania will work collaboratively with our partners both in state and in surrounding states to develop a comprehensive strategy that first focuses on health but also addresses the need to gradually restore our economy.”
Updated coronavirus numbers
Nearly 1,400 more positive cases of COVID-19 were announced statewide Monday by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The state confirmed that there are 1,366 additional positive tests for the coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 24,199. The department reported 17 new deaths, which brings the statewide total to 524.
Allegheny County has reported 876 cases and 21 deaths, while Fayette County has 57 cases and three deaths.
In Westmoreland County, 228 cases have been reported along with six deaths. Washington County has 69 cases listed, and there are still no deaths attributed to the county.
As of Monday, there were 105,593 patients across the state who tested negative for the virus.
While the daily increases of COVID-19 are not exponential, cases and deaths continue to rise in the state.
And Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine warns that it’s not time to become complacent.
“We must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families, our community,” Levine said Monday. “If you must go out, please make as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but other people as well.
“We need all Pennsylvanians to continue to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our health care workers and frontline responders.”
All Pennsylvania residents are under a stay-at-home order until at least April 30, and schools have been closed through the end of the school year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have asked people to wear masks in public to stop the spread of the illness and to stay home as much as possible.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has been asking residents to limit grocery trips to one person, once a week, in an effort to stop the spread.
While freedom of travel remains, non-essential travel is not recommended. Essential travel includes things such as commuting to an essential job, picking up supplies like groceries and medicine and checking on family and pets in other households.
