Statewide School Closures Not Planned In PA As COVID Cases Spike

HARRISBURG, PA — There are currently no state-level plans for blanket school closures across Pennsylvania, Health Secretary Rachel Levine said this week.

The development comes as the pandemic reaches the highest rate of new cases in its nine-month span. Levine said while the coronavirus is prevalent in the community and is spreading, school closures will continue to be determined at the district level.

She said the issue is discussed by state officials "on a regular basis."

At this time, she said: "We do not plan, absolutely do not plan, to have a general school closure as we had in the spring."

She said rather, state health and education leaders may collaborate to adjust safety guidance and recommendations as the pandemic evolves.

Coronavirus metrics are up across the board in Pennsylvania and the nation. Locally, counties and cities have recent been reporting their highest levels of new cases since March. Bucks County health officials reported more new coronavirus cases last week than at any time since the pandemic began. Philadelphia is also recently reporting record cases.

The statewide percent positivity rate on all tests is now up to 7 percent, from 6 percent last week. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 3,402 new cases Monday, the second-highest total since the pandemic began.

That comes just days after the all-time single-day record in the state Saturday, which saw 4,035 new cases.

Even still, Levine said Monday that she does not believe the coronavirus pandemic has reached its peak in Pennsylvania.

As a result of the rise in cases, Levine and other public health experts are asking people to avoid gathering for the upcoming holidays.