So far, so good.
That was the cautiously optimistic message from Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania’s secretary of health, Thursday regarding the 24 counties that moved into the yellow phase of reopening one week ago.
“There have not been specific, concerning data spikes,” she said. “It’s been six days. The average incubation period of the virus is five days, but it can go up to 14 days.”
Levine advised remaining cautious, and following social distancing and masking practices.
She fielded many questions about county governments or independent businesses moving themselves into the yellow phase, referring questions on legalities to the governor’s office.
“My recommendation from a public health perspective is to follow the governor’s guidance,” Levine said.
More questions passed along criticism from various public officials for the state’s response to the pandemic.
“We have tried to be transparent,” Levine said, explaining that briefings are held daily except on weekends. “Every day we give out more information to make sure the public is informed.”
A Pittsburgh newspaper had printed a statement from renowned pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht, quoting him as saying the “overall restrictive measures are simply unsustainable.”
Levine replied that the state has taken a moderate, phased approach both in closing down counties and in the reopening process. “I think we’ve been extremely careful but moderate and consistent in this process.”
She was asked if the department can start reporting recovery rates instead of just numbers of positive cases in each county. That data can be difficult to track, Levine commented.
“It is challenging to determine an exact number of recovered patients,” she said. “We realize this is important to the public. We’re hoping to have that some time next week.”
Thirteen additional counties will be moving to the yellow phase today. Several questions were posed regarding a move to the green phase. Since things seem to be working out in the current yellow counties, when will consideration start to move counties into a full reopening?
“We are going to start looking at that next week,” Levine said, but added she had no time frame as to when a full reopening might happen. She did confirm state officials will continue to make those considerations on a by-county basis rather than considering portions of a county or even a municipality.
Several questions were posed regarding large gatherings, like a Kenny Chesney concert scheduled for Pittsburgh at the end of May. Levine said she couldn’t recommend an event like that.
“COVID-19 is still in the community,” she said. “We would worry about community spread in that type of setting.”
Later on Thursday, it was announced that the concert was postponed.
Her main topic of the day, before she held a question-and-answer session, was reminding parents to keep up on their children’s vaccines even during the pandemic.
She recommended parents contact their child’s pediatrician to discuss how to go about a well-child visit and the recommended vaccines.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday confirmed there were 938 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 59,636.
McKean County has had eight cases, 307 negative tests and one death.
Elk County has had six cases, 226 negative tests and one death.
Potter County has had four cases and 108 negative tests.
Cameron County has had two cases and 84 negative tests.
The state is reporting 4,218 total deaths.
