Partygoers Not Cooperating With Contact Tracers: PA COVID Updates

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania reported 631 additional positive cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to 103,396. However, the numbers do not include Philadelphia's new cases because the city did not submit its information at the time of the daily data release.

Also Wednesday, 25 new deaths were reported, bringing the statewide death toll to 7,063.

In Montgomery County, local authorities are expressing concern that some are not being cooperative with contact tracers.

Contact tracing is the process of identifying, notifying, and monitoring anyone who came in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 while they were infectious.

Some Montgomery Couty partygoers who have come into contact with coronavirus have refused to cooperate with contact tracing officials working to contain the spread of the virus, officials said on Wednesday.

Officials reminded the public that contact tracing is "judgement free" and that the county has essential services available for individuals who need to quarantine following potential exposure.

"It is absolutely critical to the suppression of coronavirus in our region," Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said.

Pennsylvanians share on average one to 10 contacts, state health officials have said.

"Our estimates show that the state needs about 625 contact tracers. However, this number could grow hundreds, even thousands, depending on the resurgence of COVID-19 in the fall," the Health Department said in an update Wednesday.

As of this week, the state has 661 contact tracers.

Here are additional recent developments related to the coronavirus pandemic:

The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation funding will expire on July 25 if it is not extended at the federal level. While the additional $600 federal coronavirus benefit is likely to end in the coming days, Pennsylvania is picking up the slack.

State residents are eligible to apply for additional assistance through several programs in the Department of Labor and Industry and Department of Human Services, officials said.

Read more: $600 Federal Coronavirus Benefit Ends Soon, PA Offers Assistance

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Pennsylvania's attorney general said he is "closely monitoring" the Trump Administration following threats that funds will be withheld from districts that do not reopen schools for in-person learning this fall. In a letter Tuesday, Attorney General Josh Shapiro assured Pennsylvania educators that the Trump Administration does not have legal authority to withhold education funding.

"Please know that I will be closely monitoring Secretary (Betsy) DeVos' actions and if she does seek to withhold federal funding in violation of the law, I will act to protect Pennsylvania students," Shapiro said.

Read more: PA Attorney General 'Closely Monitoring' School Funding Threats

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Meanwhile, several local communities are getting creative with opportunities for pandemic-safe outdoor fun. A new drive-in movie theatre will open this week at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks. The theatre is called a "Cinema Pop-Up" and it's being organized by the entertainment company Killburn Live. Learn more.

And in Doylestown, a socially distant outdoor concert is planned. Masks will be required, and there will be safe entry and exits to promote social distancing. Learn more.