PA Coronavirus: What To Know As Cases Reported, Schools Exposed

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA — Pennsylvania's first cases of the new coronavirus and the state's first school closures associated with the illness occurred simultaneously in a fast-moving chain of events Friday morning.

More than 100,000 cases of the disease have been reported worldwide, with 259 in the United States as of 3 p.m., according to Johns Hopkins. The number of U.S. deaths from the virus rose overnight by two to 14, with most of them from a single nursing home in the Seattle area. (Stay up-to-date with developments by signing up for Patch emails.)

The news connected to the virus, also known as COVID-19, rapidly developed throughout the day.

Here is the latest to know about coronavirus in Pennsylvania:

Governor Announces Two Coronavirus Cases

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday morning that the state's first presumptive positive cases have been reported in Delaware and Wayne counties. A presumptive case means the state has identified COVID-19 but is waiting on confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The two patients are complying with directives to stay self-quarantined in their homes. Both are in good condition, officials said. The patients were exposed to the coronavirus through travel. The two current Pennsylvania cases were not spread through community interaction, according to officials.

In Delaware County, the patient recently traveled to an area of the United States where COVID-19 is present. The Wayne County patient recently traveled to a country where COVID-19 is present.

Wolf, looking to quell rising panic, said state officials "anticipated this very scenario" and are prepared to fight the virus.

"This is not the first rapidly-spreading virus we have faced in our commonwealth and it will not be the last. We are prepared to mitigate the spread of this virus," the governor said.

The state's first cases came one day after Pennsylvania health officials issued new guidelines for residents returning from China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea.

Exposure At Bucks County Schools

In Bucks County, five schools in the Central Bucks district were closed Friday due to coronavirus exposure. A person from out of the state who was later diagnosed with coronavirus attended a recent private gathering at a residence in central Bucks County, officials said.

At the time of that gathering, it was not known to anyone — including the infected person — that the person was ill with COVID-19, Bucks County officials said. Children and staff who attend or work at Central Bucks High School South, Tohickon and Tamanend Middle Schools, and Butler and Titus Elementary schools were at the private gathering.

Bucks County officials said Friday evening tests on all those displaying symptoms of the virus came back negative.

The specific date of the gathering has not been revealed, but a spokesman for Bucks County confirmed it occurred no more than 14 days ago. Bucks County Health Department Director David Damsker told Patch the infected person was only at the gathering and did not visit any other locations in Bucks County.

All school buildings in the Central Bucks School District are closed for the weekend and all activities canceled so staff can perform a deep cleaning of the facilities.

Emergency Disaster Declaration

Also Friday, Wolf signed an emergency disaster declaration to provide increased support to state agencies to tackle coronavirus.

The disaster declaration follows the Department of Health's activation of its Department Operations Center at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency's headquarters to conduct public health and medical coordination for COVID-19 throughout the state.

"It is critical to prepare for and respond to suspected or confirmed cases in the commonwealth and to implement measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The disaster declaration is an additional way we can be prepared," Wolf said.

Businesses prepare

Some local businesses responded to the news by implementing additional cleaning measures and informing customers of what they're doing to combat the outbreak.

Penn Community Bank, which has offices throughout Bucks and Montgomery counties, informed customers they may notice additional cleaning efforts, hand sanitizer stations, and frequent disinfecting when visiting branches.

"These are precautionary steps to help prevent the spread of the virus," the notice to customers said.

Starbucks announced that it will no longer allow the use of personal cups due to the virus.

"First and foremost, the health and well-being of our partners and customers remains top of mind and our highest priority, and we will continue to act thoughtfully and courageously despite the disruption and uncertainty COVID-19 brings to our daily lives," Starbucks Executive Vice President Rossann Williams said in a statement. Starbucks staff will focus on cleaning and sanitizing stores, Williams added.

Congress Acts

President Donald Trump Friday signed an $8.3 billion measure that the U.S. Senate approved Thursday to tackle the outbreak. The money would pay for a multi-dimensional attack on the virus that is beginning to threaten major disruptions in the United States.

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 close contact with people who are sick.
• 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.

Here's the latest on Coronavirus across America