Pennsylvania sees deaths from COVID-19 climb to nearly 1,600
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania -- Nearly 900 additional cases of COVID-19 infection were reported in Pennsylvania on Monday by the state Health Department, raising the total to more than 42,000 since the pandemic began.
The agency said there have been nearly 1,600 deaths from the coronavirus outbreak so far. About 50 additional deaths were reported over the past day.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
Most hospitalizations and deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older, officials said. The disease has spread to every county in the state.
There are 161,372 patients who have tested negative, officials said.
Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:
- Nearly 1% are aged 0-4;
- Nearly 1% are aged 5-12;
- 1% are aged 13-18;
- Nearly 6% are aged 19-24;
- 38% are aged 25-49;
- Nearly 28% are aged 50-64; and
- Nearly 26% are aged 65 or older.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in a couple of weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems are at higher risk of more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.
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ELECTIVE SURGERIES
The Department of Health said Monday that hospitals and outpatient centers may resume elective surgeries if they can show they won't jeopardize patient safety or their ability to respond to a sudden spike in COVID-19 patients.
The Wolf administration had ordered hospitals to postpone elective procedures last month in an effort to preserve hospital capacity and medical supplies. The health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, said Monday the department has issued guidance allowing the procedures to resume, as long as a hospital can show it has enough personal protective equipment and meet other conditions.
An analysis commissioned by The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania said the cancellation of elective surgeries and deferral of medical treatments -- from which hospitals derive a large portion of their income -- resulted in a nearly $1 billion revenue hit in March alone.
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HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
Wolf dashed any remaining hope that a high school senior might be able to participate in a traditional graduation ceremony. It's not happening, he said Monday.
The virus "has made it impossible for traditional graduation ceremonies to take place," he said in a video message. "A lot of you are probably feeling angry about this, and you have a right to feel that way because you have been dealt a bad hand."
Wolf's reopening plan bans large gatherings even in regions of the state where pandemic restrictions are being eased starting May 8.
"We have all had to make sacrifices to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe during this pandemic and this has been a big one," said Wolf, offering congratulations to the class of 2020.
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GARDEN CENTERS
A proposal to force the Wolf administration to open lawn and garden retail suppliers passed a House committee on Monday with unanimous Republican support and a few Democratic "yes" votes.
The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee approved that bill as well as a measure to let pet groomers open. Both categories of business would have to be able to operate in accordance with federal social distancing guidelines.
The bills still require action from both chambers and the governor's signature.
Gardeners are now starting the spring planting season with severely limited access to seeds, seedlings, fertilizer and other material.
Wolf closed down garden centers as part of a March 19 order that closed businesses not deemed necessary to sustain life.
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CONTACT TRACING
Levine said Monday a plan will be made public later this week about how Pennsylvania will trace the contacts of people infected with the coronavirus to help control its spread.
Levine said the tracing, a prerequisite under the administration's reopening plan to loosen social distancing restrictions, will have multiple components, including work by public health nurses.
Levine said county and municipal health departments, hospitals and health systems will also contribute. She said volunteers and new hires, people she called "disease detectives," will be involved. She did not say when this week the plan will be released but said it will be in place by May 8.
The tracing will also involve the use of technology to trace contacts, which Wolf said Monday needs to be sensitive to people's privacy needs.
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