Coronavirus In PA: Schools, Businesses Closed 'Indefinitely'

PENNSYLVANIA – Developments in the new coronavirus outbreak continue to unfold rapidly in Pennsylvania.

The number of cases of the illness, also known as COVID-19, continue to rise and additional closures are being announced. The World Health Organization has officially declared the outbreak a pandemic.

Here are the developments from March:

Go here for April developments

Tuesday, March 31

• Pennsylvania's coronavirus death toll is at 63 as of Tuesday. The state's case count is approaching 5,000. MORE.
• The state's Stay at Home order has been expanded to include the following seven additional counties: Cameron, Crawford, Forest, Franklin, Lawrence, Lebanon, and Somerset.
• President Donald Trump has approved Pennsylvania's request for a major disaster declaration amid the coronavirus crisis. MORE.

Monday, March 30

• Gov. Wolf has extended the Stay at Home order in 26 counties through April 30. Schools and non-essential businesses closed 'indefinitely.' MORE.
• Gov. Tom Wolf said Sunday he has requested a major disaster declaration from the President through FEMA. MORE.
• The first case of coronavirus in the Pennsylvania state prison system has been found at SCI Phoenix in Montgomery County. MORE.

Sunday, March 29

• Nearly 650 additional cases of coronavirus were reported in the past 24 hours in Pennsylvania, officials said Sunday. MORE.
• The enforcement of the REAL ID has been delayed for an entire year due to the coronavirus pandemic. MORE.

Saturday, March 28

• Twelve more residents have died from coronavirus in Pennsylvania, state officials announced Saturday. It's the highest number of deaths recorded in a single day since the outbreak began, and brings the state's total deaths to 34. MORE.

Friday, March 27

• Nine more Pennsylvania counties are under a Stay at Home order as officials work to contain the coronavirus. MORE.
• Six Pennsylvanians have died in the past day from the coronavirus, state officials said Friday. MORE.
• If moderate social distancing measures are enforced, the greater Philly area could see 2.8 million cases by mid-June, an analysis shows. MORE.

Thursday, March 26

• Here's what we know about the coronavirus hospitalization and death rate in Pennsylvania. MORE.
• How will coronavirus impact the suburban Philadelphia real estate market? Patch talks to local agents. MORE.
• Another Montgomery County resident has died from coronavirus, officials said Thursday. The 62-year-old is the county's third death thus far. MORE.
• Pennsylvania's coronavirus cases shot up by 560 overnight, health officials announced Thursday. Five more people died, bringing the statewide death total to 16. MORE.
• After weeks of negotiations and compromise, the $2 trillion aid package was passed through the U.S. Senate unanimously Wednesday night. MORE.
• Pennsylvania jobless claims surged by 650,000 in 10 days as the coronavirus crisis has unfolded. MORE.

Wednesday, March 25

• A bill to postpone the 2020 Pennsylvania primary election to June due to the coronavirus outbreak was passed by the state legislature on Wednesday. MORE.
• Officials confirmed Montgomery County's second death from coronavirus Wednesday. MORE.
• A total of 1,127 people in Pennsylvania have tested positive for coronavirus as of Wednesday. There have been 11 deaths. MORE.
• All Holy Week and Easter Sunday masses have been canceled in the Philadelphia Archdiocese due to coronavirus. MORE.
• As Pennsylvania's coronavirus case count exceeded 1,000 on Wednesday, Gov. Wolf has expanded the Stay at Home order to 3 more counties. MORE.
• Two Delaware County residents have died from the coronavirus, officials announced Wednesday. MORE.
• Seven bridges operated by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission have gone cashless to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

MORE.

Tuesday, March 24

• Pennsylvania health officials said Tuesday there are 207 new cases of coronavirus and four more deaths. MORE.
• PA State Police said it issued 27 warnings on the first day of enforcement of the order for all non-life-sustaining businesses to close. MORE.

Monday, March 23

• Gov. Wolf has provided additional guidance as to what residents in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Monroe, Philadelphia and Allegheny counties are allowed to do during the order. MORE.
• All schools in Pennsylvania will remain closed through at least April 6 in response to the new coronavirus outbreak, state officials announced Monday. MORE.
• Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has issued a stay-at-home order across the Philadelphia region and in Pittsburgh as the next step in the state's effort to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. MORE.
• Pennsylvania health officials said Monday there are now 644 positive cases of the coronavirus statewide. Three people have died. MORE.
• Enforcement begins Monday morning against non-life-sustaining businesses that have not closed physical locations due to the governor's order to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. MORE.

Sunday, March 22

• A 72-year-old Montgomery County man has died from the coronavirus. MORE.
• Three additional counties — Columbia, Fayette, and Mercer — now have cases of the new coronavirus, officials said Sunday afternoon. Pennsylvania's cases are up to 479, officials said Sunday. MORE.
• Philadelphia is instituting a stay-at-home order starting at 8 a.m. Monday. MORE.

Saturday, March 21

• Pennsylvania taxpayers will have until July 15 to file their 2019 personal state income tax returns, state officials announced Saturday. MORE.
• A second coronavirus-related death in Pennsylvania was reported and, as of noon on Saturday, Pennylvania health officials said there were 103 new positive case in the state. MORE
• Medical marijuana has been deemed "life-sustaining" under Gov. Tom Wolf's business shutdown order and dispensaries are operating with some loosened restrictions. MORE
• Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said he's delaying enforcement of the closure of all non-life-sustaining businesses until Monday at 8 a.m. Wolf ordered Thursday that all non-life-sustaining businesses must close to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. MORE.
• The third pediatric case of the virus has been reported in Montgomery County. A four-year-old girl from New Hanover Township has been hospitalized. MORE.

Friday, March 20

• Pennsylvania health officials said Friday there are 83 additional positive cases of the novel coronavirus. The state total is up to 268 as of Friday at noon. MORE.
• Federal Tax Day has been postponed to July 15 amid the coronavirus crisis. MORE.
• Three members of the Philadelphia 76ers organization tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the team announced Thursday evening. MORE.
• Allegheny County has 27 new positive cases of the novel coronavirus as of Friday morning, according to the county health department. MORE.
• Bucks County has released the towns where there have been positive coronavirus cases. In total, the county has 18 cases as of Friday morning. MORE.
• Officials in Philadelphia Thursday said the city now has 44 cases of the new coronavirus and that nearly half of those cases are people who work in healthcare. MORE.

Thursday, March 19

• All "non-life-sustaining" businesses in Pennsylvania must close their physical locations as of 8 p.m. Thursday to slow the spread of coronavirus, Gov. Tom Wolf ordered. MORE.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Education canceled all standardized testing on Thursday due to the pandemic. MORE.
• The Pennsylvania State Police said Thursday it will strictly enforce the closure of bars and restaurants, they announced Wednesday. While facilities may remain open for takeout, no on-premises consumption of food or drink is permitted. MORE.
• As of Thursday morning, there are 52 additional positive cases of COVID-19 reported, bringing the statewide total to 185. MORE.
• Hospitals in southeastern Pennsylvania would be overwhelmed with coronavirus patients under most likely scenarios for infection rates, according to an analysis from Patch partner ProPublica. MORE.
• The coronavirus has killed three people from the same extended family, including a Pennsylvania man, according to multiple sources. MORE.
• The second pediatric case of coronavirus in Montgomery County was discovered on Wednesday, health officials announced. The one-year-old boy has been hospitalized and is unknown condition. MORE.

Wednesday, March 18

• The governor's office on Wednesday confirmed an adult has died from the novel coronavirus. It is the state's first COVID-19-related death. MORE.
• Local restaurants are reeling amid the crisis, with many laying off employees. One regional chain has laid off 700. MORE.
• Pennsylvania's statewide total of coronavirus cases has increased to 133 as of Wednesday. MORE.
• Patch has compiled a list of key resources for families during the coronavirus crisis. MORE.
• The border between the United States and Canada will temporarily close to nonessential traffic, President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday. The call to close the border was a mutual decision by both countries, Trump said. MORE.
• Health officials in Pennsylvania are reminding parents that the current situation is not like a spring break or vacation. They're asking parents to refrain from scheduling playdates, sleepovers, and other social events. MORE.
• Bucks County said they have two more cases, but both are "easily traced" to other cases. MORE.

Tuesday, March 17

• The state's total is now up to 96 cases of coronavirus, with 32 of them in Montgomery County. MORE.
• The Pennsylvania Turnpike has restricted access to all service plazas due to coronavirus. Only gas and portable toilets will be available. MORE.
• PECO announced that it will be suspending shut offs during the crisis. MORE.
• SEPTA will operate under their "severe weather plan" for regional rail indefinitely moving forward. MORE.
• Local businesses are reeling amid the crisis, with many adjusting how they do business. MORE.
• The Pittsburgh Marathon, scheduled for May 3, has been canceled. MORE.
• Bucks County's coronavirus cases nearly doubled, with three more reported late Monday. MORE.
• State officials clarified that the public may still use trails, lakes and other open areas at Pennsylvania state parks while the parks themselves are shut down to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus. MORE.
• As coronavirus continues spreading around Montgomery County, the source of two new positives in the county is not known, authorities said. MORE.
• Police in Bucks County are warning residents of a possible scam involving people going door-to-door falsely saying they're conducting in-home coronavirus testing. MORE.

Monday, March 16

• The first pediatric case of the novel coronavirus was reported in Montgomery County. MORE.
• Pennsylvania has expanded its liquor store closing to include the entire state. Online sales will cease, too. MORE.
• The Pennsylvania Turnpike is no longer accepting cash or credit cards in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus. MORE.
• "A number" of Pennsylvania's coronavirus cases include people who are hospitalized. Specific data on hospitalizations is not being released because the numbers are constantly changing, officials said. MORE.
• All non-essential businesses in Pennsylvania have been ordered to close for two weeks. MORE.
• Philadelphia officials Monday said only essential commercial establishments should remain open through at least March 27 and that gatherings should be no larger than 50 people due to the new coronavirus crisis in the region. MORE.
• Pennsylvania now has a total of 76 coronavirus cases as of Monday at noon. MORE.
• Pennsylvania workers impacted by the ongoing coronavirus crisis may be eligible for unemployment benefits, state officials said Monday. MORE.

Sunday, March 15

• Governor Tom Wolf on Sunday ordered all restaurants and bars in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties to close their dine-in facilities as of Monday. MORE.
• Sixteen additional cases have been confirmed Sunday. Pennsylvania now has a total of 63 cases of coronavirus. MORE.
• State parks in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware counties will be closed for two weeks starting Sunday. MORE.

Saturday, March 14

• Pennsylvania Fine Wine & Good Spirits in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties will be closing due to the outbreak. MORE.
• Gov. Tom Wolf said on Saturday that all he is expanding the non-essential retail businesses closures to Bucks and Chester counties. MORE.
• Four additional presumptive positive cases of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, have been confirmed in Pennsylvania, officials said Saturday morning. The total is now 45 cases statewide. MORE.
• Non-essential retail facilities in Delaware County will close. This includes movie theaters, shopping malls, and gyms. MORE.

Friday, March 13

• Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced just after 3 p.m. Friday that all schools in the state must close for 10 business days due to the outbreak. MORE.
• The number of novel coronavirus in Pennsylvania doubled from Thursday to Friday. The state has 41 cases up from 21 on Thursday, officials said during a 5 p.m. news conference. MORE.
• The first presumptive coronavirus case in western Pennsylvania was confirmed Friday by the state Department of Health. MORE.
• The first presumptive positive case of coronavirus in Chester County was discovered early Friday afternoon, officials said during a Friday afternoon press conference. MORE.
• Twelve more Pennsylvanians have tested positive for the new coronavirus, state health officials said during a Friday afternoon press conference. The total case count is at 33 as of Friday around noon. The's totals include the state's first pediatric patient. MORE.
• There is no testing backlog in Pennsylvania, Health Secretary Rachel Levine said. She noted all insurance companies in Pennsylvania and Medicaid will cover the COVID-19 test. Health care providers can order the tests and there are at least two commercial providers that are doing testing. MORE.
• The Valley Forge Casino has been shut down over concerns regarding coronavirus. The closure will continue through March 27, in keeping with the two week closure Gov. Wolf mandated for schools, community centers, and non-essential businesses in Montgomery County. MORE.
• Several other businesses in Montgomery County are closed. Here's a list.
• The King of Prussia Mall has announced they will remain open amid the coronavirus outbreak, despite urging from public health officials that all nonessential businesses and public places be shut down.

Thursday, March 12

• Following recommendations from public health officials, Plymouth Meeting and Willow Grove Park malls have shut down. MORE.
• The Wolf Administration is asking residents to avoid large gatherings and indoor public recreational places. On Thursday Wolf said he "strongly encourages the suspension" of large gatherings, events, conferences of 250 people or more. Wolf is also discouraging people from recreational activities like gyms, movie theaters and shopping malls.
• All schools and many public places in Montgomery County have been shut down by order of Gov. Tom Wolf, officials said Thursday afternoon. The closures will be in place for a minimum of two weeks. The governor is also strongly advising non-essential retailer to close.
• Schools closure across the region continue to mount due to exposure and preparations for an outbreak. Here's the list of closures.
• Six Chester County law enforcement officers are in quarantine after being exposed to the Lower Providence police officer who has coronavirus, health officials said.
• Five more Pennsylvanians have tested positive for the virus, bringing the statewide case count to 21 as of Thursday afternoon. Thirteen of those cases are in Montgomery County.
• The Wells Fargo Center has closed its doors and canceled all events through the end of the month.
• Police departments are announcing amended protocols for non-emergency situations in light of the outbreak. The Bucks County Police Chiefs Association has instituted contingencies for addressing manpower shortages among police departments should they arise as a result of efforts to quarantine individuals exposed to coronavirus.
• The Bucks County St. Patrick's Day parade has been canceled.
• One of the most recent closures is Lower Merion School District, which will close Friday and dismiss students early Thursday after a parent of two students was exposed to a person with coronavirus.
• School districts continue to announce event and trip cancelations. The Neshaminy School District has postponed trips and extracurricular activities for the next month over coronavirus concerns. All student field trips, staff professional development trips, evening school events and outside groups using school buildings will be canceled between Friday, March 13 and at least through Monday, April 13.

Wednesday, March 11

• Pennsylvania's coronavirus case count is at 16, health officials said Wednesday evening. There have been no deaths as of Wednesday. You can see more on this live tracker.
• One of the cases announced Wednesday is a police officer in Montgomery County. The 35-year-old officer had direct contact with an infected person who was a previously announced case in the county. His symptoms do not require hospitalization and he is in self-quarantine at home. Read more here.
• The National Basketball Association is suspending the season indefinitely after a player tested positive for the virus.
• A student who had contact with a CHOP doctor infected with coronavirus is exhibiting cold and flu-like symptoms, Hatboro-Horsham school officials said. An elementary school in the district will be closed for the third day as officials await test results.
• Multiple colleges and universities have announced they'll be closing campuses and moving to virtual learning. Penn State announced all courses will take place off-campus and via remote learning for at least two weeks in the face of mounting concerns over the spread of coronavirus, the school announced Wednesday. Other colleges that announced closures and changes include Villanova, Bucknell, Kutztown, West Chester, Pitt, and more. See the list here.
• Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have canceled the upcoming St. Patrick's Day parades over concerns about the rapid spread of the coronavirus. Bucks County's parade is on as of Wednesday.
• Other events have been canceled, including local concerts, an anti-gun march originally scheduled for Saturday in Doylestown, and Council Rock's annual Book Bowl.
• In Chester County, a scheduled town hall that was meant to address constituent concerns regarding coronavirus will no longer take place to minimize crowd sizes and social contact.
• Professional sporting events are being held as normal as of Wednesday. The Pittsburgh Penguins have said they no immediate plans to play without letting fans into PPG Paints Arena and are instituting new cleaning and sanitizing measures amid the coronavirus outbreak.
• The Allegheny Health Network said it will restrict patient visitations at its hospitals as the coronavirus outbreak continues to grow. The new policy will limit the number of visitors in a patient's room to one.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections said effective Thursday and until further notice all visitors and employees at the Correctional Institution at Phoenix will initiate an enhanced screening process. Anyone exhibiting symptoms, who has had recent contact with anyone presumed positive for COVID-19 or anyone who denies being screened will be prohibited from entering the facility. Officials have decided to take these measures because the prison is located in Montgomery County where there are active COVID-19 cases.
• Some stores, including ShopRite, are restricting the amount of cleaning supplies each customer can purchase. The supplies are in high demand as fears of contracting the coronavirus continue to rise.

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Tuesday, March 10

• Two people in Bucks County have tested presumptively positive for the new coronavirus. The Bucks County positives bring Pennsylvania's total of presumptive positive cases of coronavirus to 14 as of late Tuesday night.
• The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia confirmed that a doctor with coronavirus had contact with 17 staff members and around two dozen patients at an outpatient facility in King of Prussia last week. All families have been notified and are being quarantined. The exposure has prompted several school closures.
• The Philadelphia Department of Health said Tuesday that it identified the first case of coronavirus in the city.
• Earlier Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that there is one additional presumptive positive case in Montgomery County. The resident has been hospitalized.
• A student at Germantown Academy tested positive for coronavirus, the school announced in a letter sent home to parents Tuesday morning. It comes just after the school said it would close their campus through spring break as a precaution.
• One of the patients in Montgomery County is in critical condition.

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Governor Tom Wolf last week signed an emergency disaster declaration after the state's first cases were announced Friday. The declaration will provide increased support to state agencies involved in the response to the virus.

State health officials have issued travel guidelines. Anyone who has arrived in Pennsylvania from China or Iran anytime during the outbreaks there will be notified by the state health department they must stay home and practice social distancing for 14 days after travel. Additionally, anyone who has returned from travel in Italy or South Korea within the past 14 days should stay home and practice social distancing for 14 days.

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses.

This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.