Update: This story has been updated with additional information from the Department of Health about the number of people who visited a business establishment before symptoms began.
De Pa. The Department of Public Health shared on Friday that it says it supports its restrictions on coronavirus mitigation targeting bars and restaurants.
Contact persons reached the 24,468 people who tested positive between July 13 and August 11 to ask a number of questions, including whether they visited institutions or did not attend mass meetings in the 14 days prior to symptoms related to COVID-19.
Here is what they found, according to a news release:
Of the 24,468 positive cases reported between July 13 and August 11, less than half of individuals provided an answer to the question of whether they spent time at a business establishment. Of those who answered, 13 percent answered, if 1,499 yes, they visited a business 14 days before the onset of symptoms:
- 47 percent of those who said yes report to a restaurant;
- 24 percent of those who said yes report to a bar;
- 19 percent of those who said yes report going to another business area;
- 10 percent of those who said yes report to a gym / fitness center; en
- 9 percent of those who said yes reported to a salon / barbershop.
“Of the 24,468 cases, 52 percent answered the question of whether they attended a mass rally or another major event. Of the 52 percent, nearly 12 percent (1,648) answered yes to whether they attended a mass meeting or another major event 14 days before the onset of symptoms. ‘
The Department of Public Health says it is contacting tracers to ask more specific questions regarding where people who have the coronavirus spent their time before symptoms presented themselves on July 13th.
Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, published her goal of limiting restraint, stopping bar service, reducing indoor capacity to 25 percent, and requiring people to buy food to drink alcohol in a bar or restaurant, among other things, at 20 July. These remain in place.
- More: Pa. Direct Mitigation Sequence FAQ: What counts as a meal at a bar? How it applies to weddings, schools, more
“The numbers above mark business institutions and mass meetings as possible sites for transmission,” the news release said.
“With about half of the people being asked about the types of businesses they visited or attending a mass rally to answer the question, the department reminds Pennsylvaniaers that it is essential that people answer the phone when call investigators and provide complete and complete information to these clinical professionals. ”
Additional information released by the DoH Friday showed that the statewide percentage positivity rate dropped for a third consecutive week, but that 500 more confirmed coronavirus cases were reported this week compared to last. Statewide, there have now been nearly 123,000 cases.
“Our percentage positivity decreased for the third week in a row, which is a testament to prevention testing, and that testing is widely available throughout the state,” Wolf said.
“However, with increased testing comes increased case counts. The virus is still circulating, and we need to continue wearing masks, practicing social distance and avoiding large gatherings to keep our numbers low, stop the spread and allow more freedom. ”
