New COVID-19 cases continue to climb, reach almost 2,000 in PA

April 9, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

The state Department of Health’s shaded case map

Newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases neared 2,000 in Pennsylvania today, as the state reported the highest daily new caseload to date.

The state Department of Health said that 1,989 people have tested positive for the virus as of midnight. The previous single-day record, reached yesterday, was 1,680 new cases.

Since the outbreak began in Pennsylvania about a month ago, 18,228 patients have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

The state also reported another 29 deaths from the disease, bringing the statewide total to 338 fatalities.

Locally, Lancaster County now has 17 COVID-19-related fatalities, one more than yesterday, and Adams County reported its first fatality. York County now has recorded three fatalities, one more than yesterday. Deaths in other midstate counties were unchanged: two in Cumberland and Dauphin counties and one in Perry County.

“Now more than ever, as we continue to see COVID-19 cases and deaths rise in Pennsylvania, we need Pennsylvanians to take action,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Those actions should be to stay calm, stay home and stay safe.”

The virus has spread to all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

Locally, Dauphin County now has 180 confirmed cases, Cumberland County has 88 cases, Lancaster County has 596 cases, York County has 250 cases, Lebanon County has 187 cases, Adams County has 38 cases and Perry County has 15 cases.

Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 5,029 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 1,693 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths from the disease: 86 and 37, respectively.

Statewide, 105,602 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 87,374 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 98,538 people had been tested for the virus.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows, according to the health department:

Less than 1 percent are aged 0-4
Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12
1 percent are aged 13-18
Nearly 7 percent are aged 19-24
41 percent are aged 25-49
29 percent are aged 50-64
21 percent are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, as are most of the reported deaths, according to the state. There have been no pediatric deaths to date.

“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,” Levine said. “We need all Pennsylvanians to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and also our healthcare workers and frontline responders.”

In addition, the Pennsylvania State Police issued 16 more warnings for failure to comply with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that “non life-sustaining” businesses shut their physical locations. In all, the police have now issued 224 warnings, but have not yet issued any citations.

Levine continued to emphasize that Pennsylvanians should do the following:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
Clean surfaces frequently.
Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.

For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.

PA schools to stay closed for rest of academic year

April 9, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg’s Benjamin Franklin School

Pennsylvania schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year, the state ordered today.

Gov. Tom Wolf said that the step was necessary to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

“We must continue our efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus during this national crisis,” Wolf said, in a statement. “This was not an easy decision, but closing schools until the end of the academic year is in the best interest of our students, school employees and families.”

Wolf first ordered schools closed last month, setting an early April reopening date. He then said that schools would be closed until further notice before today’s announcement that they will remain shut.

The closure mandate applies to all schools, including public, private and cyber charter schools.

In his statement, Wolf said that, although schools are closed, they’re “strongly encouraged” to continue to offer education in “the most appropriate and accessible ways possible,” whether through online or paper-based lessons.

Schools will stay closed until Wolf lifts his “stay at home” order and the state explicitly allows them to reopen, according to the state Department of Education (PDE).

“As schools and communities adapt to the prolonged school closure, PDE will continue to work with our state, educational, and business and nonprofit partners to meet the needs of students,” said education Secretary Pedro Rivera.

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich: The Online Life

April 9, 2020 | by Sara Bozich

Obviously, don’t go anywhere (still, please). Looking for Easter Dinner options? I got you.

Top Picks:

MCSquared Movie Club at Lunch – L’Innocente (Thursday) with Midtown Cinema
Cases for a Cause 1-7 p.m. (Thursday and Friday) at Wyndridge Farm
Check out Midtown Cinema’s full list of on-demand films!
Open Stage Digital Content
- Storytime Theatre – 12 p.m. Thursday/Friday/Saturday
- Thank You, Ten – 7 p.m. Thursday/Friday
Boneshire Brew Works releasing Mexican LazaRIS this weekend!
Virtual Stream Secret Easter Sunday with Ploughman Cider

More ideas

Sitting at Home Staring Out the Window – from now til eternity
ZooAmerica is doing Virtual Zoo Visits daily with different animals (Thursday and Friday)
If you’re missing live music, Jason Carst is doing live stream performances daily. Follow him on Facebook for updates.
Ag Literacy Week 2020 Read-Along Virtual Event (Thursday)
Virtual Activity: Meet Farm Animals with Big Brothers Big Sisters (Thursday)
Dinner at Kings Crossing Union Deposit with Mad Dash Concessions (Thursday)
Spring Gate Neighborhood Special Delivery – Milfording Highlands (Thursday)
Live’Stream** The Beach Boys At The Hershey Theatre, Hershey, PA, US ~ LIVE 2020 (Thursday)
Online Educational Q&A sessions with The Burick Center for Health & Wellness (Thursday & Saturday)
Devix • Quarantine Concert 2 • Live Stream (Friday)
????► G Herbo ?????? @Xl Live (Friday)
Spring Gate Stoney Creek Inn Special Delivery (Friday)
Glenn & Amy’s Local Living Room Concert Series with Deuce Gibb (Friday)
Wine No-Contact Pickup at Cristiano Winery (Saturday)
Community Social Distancing Easter at Steelton American Legion (Saturday)
Essential Oils Are Awesome! (Saturday)
GSHPA Virtual Movie Night: Moana (Saturday)
Wine, beer & cider pick ups at The Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey (Saturday)
Central PA Game Club Virtual Meetup with The Game Table Cafe (Saturday)
Stock’s on Second Facebook Live Cooking Demo at 6 p.m. (Saturday)
- Pre-order your ingredients by Thursday to follow along!

Top picks to-go/delivery

Looking for Easter dinner? Find a dozen or so options here:

https://www.sarabozich.com/2020/04/easter-dinner-to-go/

Boneshire Brew Works 4-packs and growler sales 4-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 12-4 p.m Saturday Order online Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works Food, to-go beer, spirits, canned cocktails – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Order online Appalachian Brewing Co. – Mechanicsburg Food take-out only 4-8 p.m Monday-Thursday; 12-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday Beer + spirits take-out only – 12-8 p.m. Daily at the Mechanicsburg location Call 717-221-1080 to order View menu Ploughman Cider Take-out cider a the Taproom 12-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday Online cider sales now available. HOLLA Spirits Spirits available to order online 20% of all sales go to U.S. Bartenders’ Guild COVID-19 Relief Program and other virus relief funds – Read more MoMo BBQ Co. Open for take-out and limited delivery, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Family meals available. View menus on Facebook. Call 717-550-7995 R.G. Hummer Meats & Cheese OPEN during Broad Street Market Hours (See more below) Shop in-person or Call-ahead pre-orders 717-232-4150 Fresa Bistro Open for take-out and limited call-in delivery Call 717-216-8754 or use GrubHub Broad Street Market Open mostly normal hours; limited customer entry; some vendors closed – BUT – many offering online delivery

Raising the Bar Bakery – delivery available; order online
Sweet717 – delivery available; order online (local delivery is free!)
JB Kelly Seafood – open normal hours; delivery available
Radish & Rye – curbside pickup ONLY – DAILY
Full list of open vendors – Check individual stores/retailers for online/curbside/delivery options

Cornerstone Coffeehouse 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily for carryout Limited food menu available There are MANY restaurants doing pick-up/delivery — check-in with your favorites.

Culture + Chill

Check out our new Culture Vulture series – ways to experience life outside while, ahem, inside.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore Shop online here, plus SAVE 10% on used books with code SCHOLARSALE Shop new books through affiliate BookShop Enjoy virtual author events Midtown Cinema Purchase a gift card or renew your membership now to keep them going, then reap the benefits of your purchase once they reopen! Secure a future movie night for two – with two tickets, two small popcorns, two small sodas, and two bags of candy! Stash Vintage Shop online via Etsy All local orders free pickup or free delivery (over $35) Save 25% off your purchase of 2 or more items online, plus look for flash sales

Stay home + stay healthy!

Celebration & Isolation: Faith leaders, congregants adjust, adapt during this sacred month

April 8, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

The Hadee Mosque in Uptown Harrisburg

Faith communities are figuring out how to stay connected to their members in the midst of a crisis that is changing the way people gather.

This week is especially challenging as three major religions are forced to celebrate their symbolic holidays differently this year.

Wednesday brings Passover for the Jewish faith; on Sunday, Christians observe Easter; and April 23 marks the beginning of the month-long Ramadan observance for Islam.

While Secretary of Health Rachel Levine suggested on Monday that religious ceremonies be held online, even recommending a “virtual Seder,” the ritual feast that starts Passover, it isn’t that easy for some in the Jewish community.

Rabbi Elisha Friedman of the Kesher Israel congregation explained that Saturdays and festivals are sacred days when the use of technology is prohibited in the Orthodox Jewish tradition. While some rabbis are making exceptions to allow Zoom calls, others are not.

“Some families are divided,” he said. “A lot of people are really upset. Some people are even going to be celebrating by themselves.”

To help with the loneliness an isolated Seder meal and Passover may bring, Friedman’s family has been making art and delivering the Seder food items to individuals living alone.

Fortunately, the Kesher Israel congregation has been able to stay in contact during the crisis.

“A lot of us live in the same neighborhood,” he said. “So, we see each other, and that’s nice.”

Harrisburg’s First Church of the Brethren has a relatively small congregation with around 100 people attending on a given Sunday, Associate Pastor Josiah Ludwick said. Without prior experience streaming services online, they have had to adjust quickly.

The church now uploads weekly videos for their congregation, including music, preaching and Bible study. Their Easter service will take this format, as well.

Ludwick explained that the Church of the Brethren denomination also participates in a “Love Feast” the Thursday before Easter. This event typically includes feet washing, confession, communion and a shared meal. This year, they will be joining others from the denomination online for an alternative version with scripture reading, prayer and singing.

“In some ways, COVID is bringing us together even more than before,” Ludwick said. “We don’t have to physically be together to be together in spirit.”

Ahmad Hameed, public affairs director for the Hadee Mosque, expressed a similar sentiment as area Muslims’ plans for Ramadan also will look different this year.

“It is important for us to stay connected to our community,” he said.

The mosque on Division Street in Harrisburg is closed for all but essential services, but meetings and sermons are hosted regularly through YouTube and Zoom.

While Ramadan fasting is usually opened by a gathering at the mosque, Hameed said fasts will need to be opened in peoples’ homes. The required five prayers each day will remain, along with fasting until sundown.

“It is disappointing not to go to the mosques and participate in congregational activities,” Hameed said. “But I totally understand why we are doing it.”

Members of the mosque have been reaching out to older people to assist with getting them groceries, medicine and other necessary items. They have also offered their mosque for any state or local agency’s use.

“With Easter, Passover and Ramadan all at the same time, it’s important for people of faith to feel they can still be connected, but ensure everybody’s safe and healthy,” Hameed said.

Kesher Israel is located at 2500 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website. Harrisburg First Church of the Brethren is located at 219 Hummel St., Harrisburg. Visit their website for more information. The Hadee Mosque is located at 245 Division St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website.

State reports nearly 1,700 new cases, 70 more deaths from COVID-19

April 8, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

The state Department of Health’s shaded COVID-19 map

Positive COVID-19 cases reached another daily high today, as the state Department of Health reported 1,680 additional cases in Pennsylvania.

As of midnight, 16,239 people have now tested positive for COVID-19 since the disease was first detected in Pennsylvania about a month ago.

Moreover, the state reported another 70 deaths from the disease, bringing the statewide total to 310 fatalities.

Locally, Lancaster County now has 16 COVID-19-related fatalities, two more than yesterday. Dauphin County now has two deaths, one more than yesterday. Deaths in other midstate counties were unchanged: two in Cumberland and York counties and one in Perry County.

The virus now has spread to all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

Locally, Dauphin County now has 168 confirmed cases, Cumberland County has 84 cases, Lancaster County has 561 cases, York County has 233 cases, Lebanon County has 169 cases, Adams County has 33 cases and Perry County has 13 cases.

Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases statewide with 4,456 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 1,521 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths from the disease: 87 and 37, respectively.

Statewide, 98,538 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 82,299 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 91,278 people had been tested for the virus.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows, according to the health department:

Less than 1 percent are aged 0-4
Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12
1 percent are aged 13-18
Nearly 7 percent are aged 19-24
41 percent are aged 25-49
29 percent are aged 50-64
20 percent are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, as are most of the reported deaths, according to the state. There have been no pediatric deaths to date.

In addition, the Pennsylvania State Police issued three more warnings for failure to comply with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that “non life-sustaining” businesses shut their physical locations. In all, the police have now issued 208 warnings, but have not yet issued any citations.

Levine continued to emphasize that Pennsylvanians should do the following:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
Clean surfaces frequently.
Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.

For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.

Gamut Theatre cancels public events through summer due to coronavirus

April 7, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Gamut’s downtown Harrisburg theater

One of Harrisburg’s main theater groups has scrubbed the remainder of its spring season, canceling its regular programming at least until the fall.

Gamut Theatre Group today said it would not resume public performances until September at the earliest. This means that Free Shakespeare in the Park, held each June at the band shell in Reservoir Park, will not be held this year.

Founders Melissa and Clark Nicholson said they were taking the step in an abundance of caution.

“No one knows for certain when COVID-19 will reach its apex and how long it will take to come down off of that,” said Executive Director Melissa Nicholson.

Gamut already had cancelled public programming through April 30.

In addition to Free Shakespeare, the cancellation closes the remaining run of “An Enemy of the People,” which was being staged when the pandemic hit in March, and the Young Acting Co.’s production of “Cinderella.”

It also shutters Gamut’s summer programming, including the Gamut Theatre Summer Academy and the Popcorn Hat Players Children’s Theatre summer show.

Clark Nicholson said they will make futures decisions based upon developments in combatting the disease.

“Until a vaccine is developed, there’s going to be additional waves of this virus, which will make us reexamine what it means to put actors together onstage, and how we will congregate the audience in a safe way,” said Clark. “It’s going to be a slow, difficult period of trial and error.”

In the interim, Gamut has offered its building to city, county and state officials for community use should it be needed, according to a release from Gamut.

“It’s sitting there unused and won’t be utilized as a theater for quite some time,” said Melissa. “If it can be useful in any way for the purpose of combating the spread of the virus or helping sick people get well, we gladly offer it in service to our community.”

During the shutdown period, Gamut will explore alternative programming options, including a virtual online Gamut Theatre Summer Academy, master classes in Shakespeare study, and educational resources for teachers to use in their online classes, according to the theater group.

Since shutting its doors in March, Gamut has maintained an online presence. For example, each Wednesday a different Core Company member presents a talent, skill or interest to share with the general public through social media, and Clark Nicholson has added a new chapter each week to “How We Came to Run the Gamut,” published on Gamut’s website.

Gamut said that it is planning for the 2020-21 season with an eye toward “minimal expense and maximum safety” for all participants.

“Making the decision now to cancel through the summer gives us the time we need to re-group and rethink how to successfully plan for September and beyond,” Clark said. “When this is all over, people will have a great need to go out and gather in their favorite places. Our job right now is to make sure that there is still a Gamut Theatre to come back to. We have always been extremely creative in our problem-solving. And I think that may be our most important asset at the moment.”

For more information about Gamut Theatre, visit their website.

COVID-19 cases, deaths up sharply in PA, says health department

April 7, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

More than 14,000 people in Pennsylvania have now tested positive for COVID-19, as the state today reported another significant increase in the caseload, as well as a substantial increase in fatalities.

The state Department of Health today said that 1,579 new cases were detected as of midnight. In all, 14,559 Pennsylvanians have tested positive for the virus.

The department also reported a significant rise in the death toll from the disease. Another 78 people have died, the highest daily number of fatalities yet recorded.

As of today, 240 people have died from the disease in PA compared to 162 people yesterday, the department stated.

Locally, Lancaster County now has 14 COVID-19-related fatalities, three more than yesterday. York County now has two deaths, one more than yesterday. Deaths in other midstate counties were unchanged: two in Cumberland County and one each in Dauphin and Perry counties.

At her daily press briefing, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said that the jump in reported deaths was partially due to a reporting lag following the weekend.

“Today’s increase in deaths is due to a lag time into our system,” she said.

The virus now has spread to all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

Locally, Dauphin County now has 155 confirmed cases, Cumberland County has 77 cases, Lancaster County has 490 cases, York County has 218 cases, Lebanon County has 145 cases, Adams County has 28 cases and Perry County has nine cases.

Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 4,012 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 1,359 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths from the disease: 58 and 30, respectively.

The increase in cases reverses a three-day trend of lower new-case totals. On Saturday, the commonwealth recorded 1,597 new cases. On Sunday, there were 1,493 new cases and 1,470 on Monday.

Statewide, 91,278 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 76,719 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 83,854 people had been tested for the virus.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows, according to the health department:

Less than 1 percent are aged 0-4
Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12
1 percent are aged 13-18
7 percent are aged 19-24
Nearly 42 percent are aged 25-49
Nearly 29 percent are aged 50-64
Nearly 20 percent are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, as are most of the reported deaths, according to the state. There have been no pediatric deaths to date.

In addition, the Pennsylvania State Police have issued 14 more warnings for failure to comply with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that “non life-sustaining” businesses shut their physical locations. In all, the police have now issued 205 warnings, but have not yet issued any citations. The police have issued one citation to an individual for failure to company with Wolf’s “state-at-home order,” while issuing six warnings.

Levine continued to emphasize that Pennsylvanians should do the following:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
Clean surfaces frequently.
Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.

For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.

State reports nearly 1,500 new COVID-19 cases; case numbers similar for third straight day

April 6, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

An image from the PA Department of Health lab in Exton

New positive COVID-19 cases remained around 1,500 for a third straight day, today jumping by 1,470 in Pennsylvania.

The commonwealth has now recorded 12,980 cases since the first case was recorded about a month ago.

The state Department of Health on Saturday reported the highest one-day total of 1,597 new cases since the pandemic reached Pennsylvania. On Sunday, there were 1,493 new cases.

The health department today also reported another 12 deaths; 162 people have died from the disease statewide.

Locally, Lancaster County now has 11 fatalities, three more than yesterday. Fatalities in other midstate counties were unchanged: two in Cumberland County and one each in Dauphin, Perry and York counties.

The virus has spread to 65 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

Locally, Dauphin County now has 132 confirmed cases, Cumberland County has 68 cases, Lancaster County has 408 cases, York County has 189 cases, Lebanon County has 124 cases, Adams County has 25 cases and Perry County has five cases.

Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 3,611 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 1,230 cases.

Statewide, 83,854 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 70,874 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 77,771 people had been tested for the virus.

“We need everyone to listen to the orders in place and to stay calm, stay home and stay safe,” Levine said. “We know that these prolonged mitigation effects have been difficult for everyone, but it is essential that everyone follows these orders and does not go out unless they absolutely must.”

Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows, according to the health department:

Less than 1 percent are aged 0-4
Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12
1 percent are aged 13-18
7 percent are aged 19-24
Nearly 42 percent are aged 25-49
29 percent are aged 50-64
Nearly 20 percent are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, as are most of the reported deaths, according to the state. There have been no pediatric deaths to date.

In addition, over the weekend, the Pennsylvania State Police issued 28 warnings for failure to comply with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that “non life-sustaining” businesses shut their physical locations. In all, the police have now issued 191 warnings, but have not yet issued any citations.

Levine continued to emphasize that Pennsylvanians should do the following:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
Clean surfaces frequently.
Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.

For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.

Nearly 1,500 new COVID-19 cases recorded in PA; new count down from yesterday

April 5, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

The state’s shaded COVID-19 case map for today

Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 caseload took another jump today, as the commonwealth reported almost 1,500 new positive cases.

The state Department of Health today said that 1,493 additional Pennsylvanians have tested positive for the coronavirus since yesterday.

That number is lower than yesterday, when 1,597 new cases were reported.

The number of positive cases now totals 11,510 since the disease was first detected in PA about a month ago.

The health department also reported another 14 deaths, meaning that 150 people have died from the disease statewide.

Locally, Lancaster County now has eight fatalities, three more than yesterday. The death toll in other midstate counties was unchanged: two in Cumberland County and one each in Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry and York counties.

“The continued rise in cases combined with our increasing deaths from COVID-19 reflects the seriousness of this situation,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said.

The virus has now spread to 65 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

Locally, Dauphin County now has 118 confirmed cases, Cumberland County has 58 cases, Lancaster County has 371 cases, York County has 171 cases, Lebanon County has 106 cases, Adams County has 22 cases and Perry County has five cases.

Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 3,135 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 1,111 cases.

Statewide, 77,771 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 66,261 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 70,030 people had been tested for the virus.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows, according to the health department:

Nearly 1 percent are aged 0-4
Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12
1 percent are aged 13-18
Nearly 8 percent are aged 19-24
42 percent are aged 25-49
Nearly 29 percent are aged 50-64
Nearly 20 percent are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, as are most of the reported deaths, according to the state. There have been no pediatric deaths to date.

Levine continued to emphasize that Pennsylvanians should do the following:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
Clean surfaces frequently.
Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.

For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.

Positive COVID-19 cases exceed 10,000 in Pennsylvania, almost 1,600 new cases today

April 4, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

The state Department of Health’s shaded COVID-19 map

More than 10,000 Pennsylvanians have now tested positive for the coronavirus, as the commonwealth today reported 1,597 new positive cases.

The state Department of Health said that Pennsylvania had 10,017 total positive COVID-19 cases as of midnight.

The nearly 1,600 cases reported today set another single-day mark for new cases. Yesterday, the department reported 1,404 new positive cases.

“Unfortunately, there is no evidence that the virus is slowing down,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said.

The department also reported that 136 people have died from the virus since the outbreak began almost a month ago, 24 more than yesterday. Locally, five people have died in Lancaster County, two in Cumberland County, and each in Dauphin, Perry and York counties.

The virus has now spread to 64 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

Locally, Dauphin County now has 99 confirmed cases, Cumberland County has 54 cases, Lancaster County has 291 cases, York County has 144 cases, Lebanon County has 87 cases, Adams County has 21 cases and Perry County has five cases.

Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 2,610 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 982 cases.

Statewide, 70,030 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 60,013 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 55,099 people had been tested for the virus.

In her press briefing today, Levine repeated yesterday’s recommendation that PA residents should stay at home, but, if they need to go out, should wear face masks. She said that masks prevent transmission of the virus from breath droplets.

“My mask protects you, and your mask protects me,” Levine said.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows, according to the health department:

Nearly 1 percent are aged 0-4
Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12
1 percent are aged 13-18
Nearly 8 percent are aged 19-24
41 percent are aged 25-49
Nearly 29 percent are aged 50-64
Nearly 20 percent are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, as are most of the reported deaths, according to the state. There have been no pediatric deaths to date.

Levine continued to emphasize that Pennsylvanians should do the following:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
Clean surfaces frequently.
Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.

For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.

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