Gov. Wolf: Pa. has one of the lowest COVID-19 daily case counts in nation
Gov. Tom Wolf said Thursday that Pennsylvania has one of the lowest daily COVID-19 case counts in the nation and also scores well on its supply of personal protective equipment.
The state ranks 41st in the United States in its daily positive case rate, he said, and has a six-month supply of PPE.
“We’ve come a long way … and saved thousands of lives,” Wolf said during a news conference that was streamed live from Harrisburg.
Wolf said little was known about the virus when it first appeared in the state in March, prompting him to issue a stay-at-home order and close nonessential businesses while cases and deaths began to surge.
He once again criticized the Republican-controlled Legislature for focusing on failed attempts to overturn mitigation to prevent the spread of the virus rather than finding ways to fight the disease.
The possibility that the virus will make a resurgence in the fall is real, Wolf said.
“We have to assume the virus is not done with Pennsylvania,” the governor said.
The virus has killed 8,079 Pennsylvanians after 17 new deaths statewide were announced Thursday. There were 853 new cases reported that day with the disease present in all of the state’s 67 counties.
Meanwhile, Allegheny Health Department Director Debra Bogen announced Thursday that her orders to stem the spread of coronavirus cases in the county have been lifted.
“Our case counts continue to remain relatively low, and we are doing much better than other areas of the country,” said Bogen. “Throughout the pandemic, the department has used the most up-to-date information to make decisions to control the spread of the virus in our community. Those efforts have been effective.”
The state orders related to mask-wearing, mandatory telework, worker safety, building safety and hospital safety all remain in place. Additionally, business occupancy restrictions applicable to personal care service, indoor recreation and health and wellness facilities, entertainment venues, and bars and restaurants are also in effect, Bogen said.
There were no new deaths reported in Washington, Greene, Fayette and Allegheny counties, the state Health Department reported.
Washington and Greene each added one new virus case Thursday, taking their totals to 1,311 and 182, respectively. Fayette added five new cases to its total of 783.