Some counties may move into green phase

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Gov. Tom Wolf said it’s possible he will announce today that some counties will move from the yellow phase of reopening to green.

In a conference call Thursday with reporters, Wolf said he will move more counties into the yellow phase today.

“And the hope is we’ll be announcing some counties moving from yellow to green,” he said.

In her daily COVID-19 update Thursday, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said Southwestern Pennsylvania has done very well and she expects Beaver County will do well as it joins the rest of the region in the yellow zone today.

Levine said she believes the area will continue to make progress as it moves toward the green zone. 

Levine also explained why barbers, hairstylists and other professionals who do hands-on work, such as massage therapists, have not been cleared to reopen in the yellow phase.

“It’s not that they can’t follow infection control principles, or keep clients 6 feet apart, etc.,” Levine said. “And I’m sure they can wear masks, but by definition, their professional care is hands-on.”

Levine said touching a person’s beard, hair or skin is the kind of physical contact that can transmit COVID-19.

“So until an area is in the green zone, we’re concerned about it precipitating community spread,” Levine said. “I know there are CDC guidelines for them to follow and we want them to wear masks and keep patrons 6 feet apart. But there’s no way to do social distancing if you’re cutting hair or styling hair or cutting a beard or giving a massage.”

Levine said the concern is with those who have COVID-19 and are asymptomatic, who could pass the illness on to their hairstylist which could lead to a larger outbreak.

Levine also thanked health care workers and emergency medical service providers “for their crucial part in keeping” Pennsylvania a healthy place to live.

Levine said health care and EMS workers must make sure they’re taking care of themselves and watching for symptoms of stress-related health issues.

Levine encouraged the workers to be mindful of their mental health, to eat healthy food, to exercise and take breaks as they’re able.

“It’s OK to not be OK,” Levine said.

Cases

There have been 65,392 cases of coronavirus in the state, including 980 new cases since Wednesday.

There were 102 new deaths reported, for a total of 4,869 fatalities. 

Allegheny County now has 1,718 cases, an increase of 31 patients. According to the DOH, there was one new death reported and that total is 148. According to the Allegheny County Health Department, there was have been no new deaths and the total is 144.

In Fayette County, there were no new cases or new deaths. Those totals remain 93 and four respectively. 

Washington County reported no new cases and no new deaths; those totals remain 130 and five respectively.

Westmoreland County reported two new cases, so that total is 434. According to the DOH, there were no new deaths and that total is 38. Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha also reports no new deaths, and his total remains at 32.