According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the statewide total of positive COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania reached 49,267 on Sunday, up 962 from Saturday’s totals. Additionally, the statewide total of deaths due to COVID-19 reached 2,444, up 26 from Saturday’s totals.
With 24 counties, including McKean, moving into the yellow phase starting Friday, Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine reminded people during a press conference on Saturday that it’s still important to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
“As we see the number of new COVID-19 cases continuously change across the state, that does not mean we can stop practicing social distancing,” said Levine. “We must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families and our community. If you must go out, please make as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but others.”
Levine went over her list of “daily reminders” on steps people can take to continue to prevent the spread of the virus, including washing their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer when soap is not available, covering coughs and sneezes with an elbow, not touching their face, frequently cleaning surfaces and wearing a mask when going out for life sustaining activities.
As for businesses, Levine said they still want people to telework whenever possible and for retail stores to use curbside pickup when feasible, only allow a certain amount of people in the store at a time and have no more than 25 people in an area. Businesses that can’t provide curbside pickup should continue to follow social distancing measures.
“We do not want large gatherings to happen, such as movie theaters or concerts,” Levine said. “That’s why we’re not letting competitive sports and team sports continue. We’re going to be watching really carefully.”
When asked why businesses such as barber shops and nail salons cannot open, Levine responded that because the virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets, through the air and on surfaces where respiratory droplets may lie, no one can be 100% protected when in such close proximity.
“By definition, those professionals, in addition to licensed massage therapists, provide services that do not allow for social distancing — of being six feet away — and thus they will not be able to participate in their activities in the yellow zone.”
Levine noted that, at this time, it’s hard to judge whether students will be able to physically go back to classes during the fall semester.
“We have said all along that the virus determines the timeline, that we don’t determine the timeline,” Levine said.
She acknowledged the hardships students of all ages have been facing due to the global pandemic, though she said it would be dangerous to send students back to school in areas that have significant community transmission and spread of COVID-19.
“We’ll have to see what the data looks like throughout Pennsylvania and throughout the nation as we get into summer and summer tends towards fall,” said Levine.
She also provided suggestions for those experiencing physical or mental health concerns.
“If you have questions about your health, please contact your healthcare provider, and if you need mental health resources because you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “PA” to 741741 or calling the Statewide Support and Referral Helpline at 1-855-284-2494,” explained Levine.
