Coronavirus in Pennsylvania: 832 new cases of COVID-19, most in one day since May, pushes Pa to 88K in total; Masks are required in all public spaces; how to stay safe 4th of July weekend | Map of Coronavirus Pa. (07/02/20)

Coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania soared to 88,000 with 832 new cases reported Thursday, the most in one day since May.

The state’s COVID-19 case count is now 88,074, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health daily report. Twenty-five more deaths were reported, bringing the number of deaths to 6,712.

The health department is considering measures to mitigate the sharp increase in cases, which it attributes not to increases in testing, but to community spread and localized outbreaks.

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Locally, the Lehigh Valley coronavirus case rate has been fairly stable for the past month, but the Wolf administration is encouraging all residents to wear masks in public places to slow the spread of the pandemic, especially before the holiday weekend of July 4.

These are your Pennsylvania coronavirus updates for July 2, 2020.

Pa. Coronavirus outbreak

The 832 new cases are the majority of Pennsylvania in one day since May 22.

So far, the outbreak appears to be focused primarily on the southwest region: Pittsburgh’s Allegheny County had only 233 new cases in the past day, according to state figures.

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By comparison, Philadelphia had 138 new cases. Lehigh Valley, Lehigh and Northampton counties combined, had 38 new cases and seven deaths in the last day, with a local total of 7,721 cases and 575 deaths. Lehigh Valley’s average case rates have been in their teens or twenties for over a month.

The health department estimates that 78% of Pennsylvania coronavirus patients have recovered. To date, 702,199 tests have been negative.

Testing has increased across the state. The 13,469 tests reported Thursday are the second-highest total on a day in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania now has an average of around 12,200 per day statewide, roughly double the test rate when the number of daily cases peaked in April, as the tests are conducted on symptom-free people and households from the elderly and other long-term care facilities, where residents account for approximately 20% of Pennsylvania cases and 68% of COVID-19 deaths.

But the health department told lehighvalleylive.com that the most recent spike in cases is not just due to testing.

“There are only about 50 new cases in long-term care facilities that were reported today. This is mainly due to community spread and outbreaks occurring, most notably in the (southwest) part of the state, “said health department spokesman Nate Wardle. Wolf himself in a press release said the Evidence indicates that outbreaks can be traced in settings where masks were not worn or people did not practice social distancing.

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Does that mean a return to the yellow phase? No, but something will have to be done.

“We are not seeking to return the regions to staged mitigation, but we are working to determine what steps are necessary to protect public health in Pennsylvania,” Wardle said. “The most important thing we can emphasize is that people wear a mask.”

Masks are required throughout Pa.

Masks are now required in all public places in Pennsylvania, under an expanded order Wednesday by Governor Tom Wolf and Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine. That includes:

• When you are outdoors and cannot consistently keep six feet away from someone who is not an immediate member of the household.
• Any indoor location that is generally accessible to the public.
• While waiting for or using any public transportation or shared transportation services.
• When you are treated in a health center such as a hospital, pharmacy, doctor’s office, veterinary office or blood bank.
• While working, when interacting with clients or coworkers, he prepares food, in common areas or in any space where people cannot distance themselves.

There are a few exceptions, such as for those who have medical conditions or whose work would be hindered by wearing a mask. But the governor’s office says that anyone who is unsure whether their situation requires a mask should be cautious and put one on.

“We rely on the good sense and cooperative spirit of Pennsylvanians to follow Sec. Of the Health Mask Use Requirements Order,” a spokesperson for Wolf’s office told lehighvalleylive.com.

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Cloth facial coatings may not protect the person wearing them, but they will protect others by catching the droplets that can potentially carry the coronavirus, according to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which also says “a significant portion of people with COVID-19 are symptom free. ” “

Wolf reiterated on Thursday the importance of the order:

“As we get closer to the July 4 holiday weekend and see another increase in cases today in Pennsylvania, it is critical that Pennsylvania residents take the mandate of wearing masks seriously,” the governor said in a statement. of press. “This virus is not gone and wearing masks is a required mitigation effort that we know works to stop its spread.” … We all must do one simple thing to stop the spread of COVID-19: wear a mask, Pennsylvania. “

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How to safely celebrate Independence Day 2020 in the COVID-19 era

The Independence Day weekend is here and coronavirus cases are on the rise. How can you safely celebrate?

First, remember the social distancing and, again, the masks. The Wolf administration says that to avoid large gatherings (in the green phase, crowds of more than 250 people are banned).

At the local level, the Lehigh County Office of Emergency Management says to keep a distance of six feet from others, wash hands frequently, use hand sanitizer and wear a mask. Stay home if you don’t feel well.

And with public pools closed by the pandemic, some are looking for rivers and lakes for fun, which the county says has led to more 911 calls. If you’re going to swim, learn CPR and basic water rescue skills, Be aware of uneven terrain or currents, teach children to swim before going, and wear a life jacket in open water. Do not do swimming in quarries.

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Steve Novak can be contacted at [email protected].