Pennsylvania Adds North Carolina To State's Quarantine List

NORTH CAROLINA — The spread of coronavirus in North Carolina has landed travelers to and from the Tar Heel State on Pennsylvania's quarantine list as health officials look to contain the spread of the virus from other hotspots around the country.

Alaska, Indiana, and North Carolina are now on the list, bringing the total number of states to 26. This comes just days after four new states were added on Oct. 7. In the last update, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming were put on the list.

North Carolina public health officials reported the number of newly confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 238,939 cases Thursday, an increase of 2,532 cases since Wednesday. As of Oct. 15 the state's coronavirus death toll was 3,874.

North Carolina is also included on quarantine travel lists in New York State, Connecticut and New Jersey.

Pennsylvanians who have been to the states on the list recently should quarantine for a full 14 days upon their return, authorities said.

Travel increases your chances of getting coronavirus, health officials warn, and it's recommended to avoid traveling for the time being if possible.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health initially announced quarantine recommendations on July 2. When the first travel quarantine list was put out, officials had included just 15 states.

Here is the current full list of states which Pennsylvania leaders have identified as "at-risk" due to a high rate of the virus:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Original story by Justin Heinze, Patch staff