'We Have Been Able To Flatten The Curve:' Top PA Health Official

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania reported 1,245 additional positive cases of the new coronavirus Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 27,735 cases. Pennsylvania also reported 60 new deaths among positive cases, bringing the statewide death toll to 707.

Despite the continued increases, officials say they believe the state has bent the curve during the coronavirus crisis.

"We're very confident that we have been able to flatten the curve," Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine said. "Our healthcare system is staying stable and we have not had a wave of cases that have overwhelmed our healthcare system."

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There is still no clear timeline for when the state can begin to reopen its economy and discussions for a plan to do that are ongoing, Levine said.

Part of the process of reopening includes increased testing, as well as implementing contact tracing, and isolation and quarantine of positive patients. "That would be really important to prevent an outbreak from flaring up. We are discussions as we speak all of those different measures we want to put in place," Levine said.

A statewide stay-at-home order was instituted on April 1, following regional orders since mid-March. But many business owners and lawmakers are getting impatient with the closures, and the legislature on Wednesday passed a bill that would ease some of the mitigation measures. However, Gov. Tom Wolf is expected to veto that bill.

Here is a look at new cases by day in April:

• April 16: 1,245
• April 15: 1,145
• April 14: 1,146
• April 13: 1,366
• April 12: 1,178
• April 11: 1,676
• April 10: 1,751
• April 9: 1,989
• April 8: 1,680
• April 7: 1,579
• April 6: 1,470
• April 5: 1,493
• April 4: 1,597
• April 3: 1,404
• April 2: 1,211
• April 1: 962

During a Wednesday news conference, Governor Tom Wolf announced an order that establishes mandatory safety protections and protocols at businesses currently permitted to be open during the coronavirus crisis.

He reminded residents that while the state has seen a flattening of its curve, residents must continue to stay home. "We'll soon be moving into a reopening phase but for now, we need to continue staying home as much as possible. That's what's best for everyone, including ourselves," he said.

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