All of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties continue to show a substantial spread of the coronavirus, but the rate of positive tests continues to decline, Gov. Tom Wolf’s office said Tuesday.
The state’s positive test rate for COVID-19 fell to 12.7% for the week of Jan. 8-14, down from 14.4% the previous week. The positive test rate has now dropped for five consecutive weeks after hitting a high of 16.2% in December.
While the rate is dropping, health officials have said a positive test rate of 5% is a troubling sign of community spread. In four counties, the positive test rate is 20% or more, but that’s down from 14 counties the previous week.
The state has now seen substantial spread of the coronavirus in every Pennsylvania county for the past six weeks. The Wolf administration uses three categories to gauge the spread of COVID-19: low, moderate and substantial.
Wolf attributed the drop in the rate of positive tests to people taking appropriate steps to limit the spread of the virus.
“We continue to see great progress on bringing our statewide percent positivity rate down and I think that is due to Pennsylvanians continued commitment to wear a mask, avoid gatherings, wash their hands and practice social distancing,” Wolf said in a statement. “I believe we can continue these best public health practices to continue to bring the transmission of COVID-19 down in our communities and keep each other safe as we continue the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Expanding vaccine outreach
The Wolf administration is expanding the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines to more people.
Those over the age of 65 and anyone 16 and older with certain medical health issues will be able to get the coronavirus vaccine sooner, the Pennsylvania Department of Health said Tuesday.
The health department said those over 65 and adults and teens with high-risk conditions are now included in Phase 1A of the vaccine rollout, the first phase of the distribution. So far, distribution has gone primarily to health care workers and residents and staff in nursing homes.
Those between the ages of 16 and 64 with certain high-risk conditions or medical issues are now eligible to get the vaccine, including those with cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, Down syndrome, heart conditions, and those who are pregnant, among others. The federal government has not approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccines in those under 16.
Changing of the guard
Earlier Tuesday, President-elect Joe Biden announced he is selecting Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine to be his assistant health secretary. Levine is poised to become the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
The governor said he planned to name Levine’s successor later this week.
In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Levine said she took pride in the health department’s work during the coronavirus pandemic and on other issues, including addressing opioid addiction and the launch of the state’s medical marijuana program.
“I am extremely proud of the work we have done during the last year to save lives in the face of the COVID-19 global pandemic,” Levine said. “I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve Pennsylvanians, and all Americans, as part of the Biden Administration if I am fortunate enough to be confirmed to this position.”
Guidance for schools
State officials have asked school officials to consider the extent of community spread of COVID-19 in determining whether students should be in school or educated remotely.
Earlier this month, the Wolf administration said it is recommending that school districts focus on returning elementary school students to classrooms, even in counties with a substantial spread of the virus. The state advises high schools and middle schools to continue with remote instruction in counties with substantial spread.
Still, the state’s guidelines for schools aren’t binding. Local school leaders continue to have the authority to decide if schools should hold classes in person, remotely or employ a mix of face-to-face and virtual instruction.
New coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have been dropping in recent weeks. About 4,600 people with COVID-19 are being treated in hospitals, down from a peak of about 6,300 in December.
The state has seen a spike in deaths tied to COVID-19 since November. More than 19,400 deaths in Pennsylvania have been tied to COVID-19, according to the health department.
More than 777,000 coronavirus cases have been reported in Pennsylvania since the beginning of the pandemic.
Most of those who contract the virus recover after dealing with relatively mild symptoms, but health experts say COVID-19 poses risks to everybody, including seniors and those with health complications.
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