How Reopening Has Impacted PA Coronavirus Case Counts: New Data

HARRISBURG, PA — New coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania are on a downward trend as the state continues through its three-phased reopening process, new data from both Johns Hopkins University and the COVID Tracking Project shows.

By this Friday, 54 Pennsylvania counties will be in the "green" phase of coronavirus mitigation. And more are slated to move to that third and final phase by the end of the month, according to officials.

Johns Hopkins University has been tracking state-level data as the country reopens. In a troubling trend, many states are experiencing a resurgence of new cases, the data shows.

But Pennsylvania is among a handful of states showing downward trends in new coronavirus cases, Johns Hopkins researchers say. It joins nearby states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey in experiencing a decline of new cases.

Pennsylvania's three-day average of new cases peaked on April 9 at 1,733. As of June 13, the three-day average of cases is 451, according to a dashboard from Johns Hopkins showing critical trends.

On Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 323 new coronavirus cases, bringing the state total to 79,121. As of Monday, 6,243 Pennsylvanians have died from the virus.

In nearby New Jersey, which has also embarked on a phased reopening, there was an even more drastic decline in the three-day average of new cases. The three-day average of new cases in New Jersey peaked on April 4 with 3,972 cases. As of June 13, its average is down to 355 cases, the Johns Hopkins data shows.

The Associated Press, in a piece published last week, also pointed to some alarming trends in its analysis using data from the COVID Tracking Project. Cases are rising in nearly half the states, including in Arizona, Texas, and Alabama. Pennsylvania is not among the states with rising cases, that analysis said.

In Alabama, the three-day average of cases has spiked to 870 — up from 182 on April 30, which was when the stay-at-home order expired.

Gov. Tom Wolf, who has clashed with lawmakers in Harrisburg over his coronavirus reopening strategy, said Pennsylvania has so far been successful in preventing a resurgence of cases due to a "cautious approach" that relies on science and health experts.

He added in a statement issued Friday: “We will continue to move forward cautiously.”

The comments come days after after the state legislature passed a bill aimed to force him to terminate the declaration and revoke all business closure orders.

Pennsylvania's reopening continues with Dauphin, Franklin, Huntingdon, Luzerne, Monroe, Perry, Pike, and Schuylkill moving to green this Friday.

Local lawmakers in Bucks County, citing information from the governor's office, said they expect that county to move to green on June 26. It is not yet clear what other counties will join them in advancing to the final stage.

The green phase lifts the strictest mitigation measures and restrictions. Restaurants and bars can reopen their interior dining areas at 50 percent capacity. Personal care services, like hair salons, can reopen by appointment only. Gyms and spas can reopen, but appointments or reservations are also strongly encouraged there too. Here's more about what you can and can't do in the green phase.