New COVID-19 Mitigation Measures Under Consideration In PA: Wolf

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania officials on Monday addressed an alarming escalation of the coronavirus outbreak in the state, saying more mitigation measures could be coming soon if the numbers don't stabilize.

Gov. Tom Wolf and Health Secretary Rachel Levine spoke during a news conference as the state reported its test positivity rate has spiked to 14.4 percent. That's up from 11.7 percent the week before. Officials note every county in the state has a "concerning" percent positivity rate — above 5 percent. Nine counties have percent positivity rates at or above 20 percent.

Wolf implored residents to follow the existing guidance of staying home whenever possible, wearing a mask and not gathering. But if the numbers continue to trend in a troubling direction, further mitigation measures may be necessary, he said.

"We will be making that decision in the next few days," Wolf said. He did not offer specifics as to what further measures are under consideration.

"We are looking at all kinds of things," he said, adding that more recommendations could be coming "very shortly."

Wolf said the additional mitigation measures may be necessary to prevent the state's hospitals from being overwhelmed, a predicament that is becoming "increasingly likely."

More than 5,400 people are currently hospitalized in Pennsylvania with COVID-19, state data shows. Of that number, 1,115 patients are in the intensive care unit. Just 16 percent of the state's adult ICU beds remain available, according to the state data dashboard.

"COVID-19 is spreading everywhere dangerously in the commonwealth," Wolf said, noting if hospitals become overwhelmed, it will impact all patients — not just those who contract the coronavirus.

"If you or a loved one need emergency care for a heart attack, it could take much longer than usual for emergency personnel to get to you," he explained.

Levine, speaking after Wolf, said the state remains "extremely concerned" by the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Pennsylvania.

The accelerating percent positivity rates and the rising number of hospitalizations are just two of many concerning data points shared Monday by state officials. Between Nov. 22 and Nov. 28, there were 46,653 COVID-19 cases statewide, an increase of 2,128 cases compared with the previous seven-day period.

Pennsylvania experienced a seven-day case increase of 48,668, with 66 of 67 counties categories as having "substantial transmission status."

There were 14,960 new cases reported in the state over the weekend. Sixty-nine new COVID-19 deaths were reported Saturday and 42 were reported Sunday, bringing the state's total to 11,373 deaths.

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