With Nearly 30K Coronavirus Cases, PA Among Hardest-Hit States

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania reported 1,706 additional positive cases of the new coronavirus Friday, bringing the statewide total to 29,441. There were also 49 new deaths among positive cases, bringing the statewide coronavirus death toll to 756 as of Friday.

With nearly 30,000, Pennsylvania is now among the top five states in the country with the most coronavirus cases. The other four include New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Michigan, according to CNN's current tally.

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“COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise in Pennsylvania, and even though the daily increases are not exponential, now is not the time to become complacent,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a news release with the latest numbers. “We must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families, our community. If you must go out, please make as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but other people as well. We need all Pennsylvanians to continue to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our health care workers and frontline responders.”

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, officials have 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.

Protestors in Pennsylvania, growing frustrated with the shutdowns, are planning a demonstration in Harrisburg on Monday.

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

• April 17: 1,706
• 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. The order also mandates residents wear masks if they enter any life-sustaining business that is currently open.

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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