360​ More Coronavirus Deaths Tuesday In PA

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania reported 360 additional COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, bringing the statewide death toll to 1,564. Also on Tuesday, the state confirmed 1,296 more positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 34,528. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

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“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,” Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a Tuesday news release. “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. We need all Pennsylvanians to continue to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our health care workers and frontline responders.”

Gov. Tom Wolf in recent days has begun to lay out a framework and plan for a reopening of the state's economy. All nonessential businesses in Pennsylvania have been closed since March 16 and a statewide stay-at-home order has been in place since April 1.

While many in Pennsylvania are eager to get back to work, a reopening will be done on a regional basis only when it is safe, officials said.

However, there have been some small steps announced toward that reopening: Wolf said Monday that construction projects across the state will be permitted to resume on May 8. The statewide stay-at-home order will begin to be lifted for some counties on that date as well.

In places that have been hardest hit by the virus, a reopening will be further away, Wolf explained.

For example, residents of Philadelphia and its suburbs should expect to be staying home beyond May 8, he said.

Philadelphia County has experienced the state's highest number of deaths, with 363 as of Tuesday. In nearby Montgomery County, 223 deaths have been reported. Delaware County has 118 deaths, Bucks County has 116. In Chester County, there have been 65 total deaths.

>>>Full coverage of coronavirus in Pennsylvania.