No Plans For Shutdown As PA Braces For Fall Surge, Officials Say

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania health officials say they're preparing for a fall resurgence of COVID-19 but there are currently "no plans" for mitigation measures such as stay-at-home orders or additional business closures.

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said Wednesday that the resurgence has already appeared to have started in the state. For the 10th day in a row, Pennsylvania recorded more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases a day on Thursday.

There have now been a total of 177,520 cases and 8,432 total deaths in Pennsylvania since the start of the pandemic. Cases nationwide are on the rise, too, Levine noted.

"We believe that we are at the start of the fall resurgence," Levine said, adding state officials have been preparing for this for months.

But will the fall resurgence look like the spring in terms of mitigation measures?

"It's hard to predict what future will bring," Levine said. She noted that while stay-at-home measures and business closures were utilized as a mitigation strategy in the spring, there are now many more resources than at that time.

There's been a significant increase in testing, case investigation, and contact tracing, Levine said, adding the state's health care system is now better prepared. Plus, there is more PPE than in the spring.

"We have no plans to have any further business restrictions or stay at home orders at this time," Levine said. And while she said it's "impossible for me to predict future," the state is in "a much better place" then in the spring when those measures were needed.

Assessing outbreaks and rapid testing

Levine said health department staff are working to assess where outbreaks are occurring, including carrying out close surveillance of congregate care facilities, like long-term care facilities, college campuses, and jails.

State health officials said the first allotment of rapid antigen test cards are now being distributed to several counties that are seeing increased COVID-19 cases. The test cards, provided by the federal government, will assist in rapid testing, Levine said. You can learn more about antigen test card in Pennsylvania here.

“With the increase in testing and cases, the department is continuing efforts to conduct case investigations and contact tracing,” Levine said. “However, for these efforts to be successful, it is important for Pennsylvanians to participate in the process. If you are contacted by a case investigator or contact tracer, it is essential that you answer the phone and participate in the interview.”

Preparing for a vaccine

Levine confirmed the department is also is preparing for the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, once a "safe and effective" option is approved. She noted the department has been working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to plan for the distribution of the vaccine.

There may be a limited supply of vaccine distributed in a phased approach. "The department plans to ensure the limited vaccine is distributed to the highest priority populations in a timely manner," the department said in a statement.

Levine said while the state is working to expand testing and is preparing for a vaccine, residents must do their part to prevent outbreaks by wearing a mask, washing hands, social distancing and avoiding large gatherings.

Levine also reminded residents of another important vaccine: The seasonal flu vaccine.

Getting the flu vaccine, even if you do get the flu, will reduce the duration and severity of symptoms, she noted. And reducing the severity of the flu is "very important as we work to ensure our health care system is not overwhelmed as we see flu and COVID-19 cases occur at the same time."

Since flu season began on Sept.26, there have been 17 confirmed cases reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Flu activity and hospitalizations for influenza-like illness both continue to be low, officials said.