The Wolf administration today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System panel, highlighting a seven-day increase in cases from 31,140, a statewide positivity of 10, 5% and 66 counties with substantial transmission status.
The update includes the following:
The panel is designed to provide early warning signs of factors affecting the state’s mitigation efforts. The data available on the early warning monitoring panel include differences from week to week cases, incidence rates, percentage of positivity testing and rates of hospitalizations, ventilations and emergency visits linked to COVID-19. This week’s update compares the period from January 15 to January 21 with the previous seven days, from January 8 to January 14.
“After six consecutive weeks in all 67 counties reporting a substantial level of transmission, we now have a county moving into the low-level transmission category – a great sign of progress,” said Governor Wolf. “But there is still a lot of work to do and we must not become complacent. I believe that we can maintain these best public health practices to continue to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities, keep each other safe and move forward with the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine. “
As of Thursday, January 21, the state recorded an increase of 31,140 cases in seven days; the previous seven-day increase was 40,088 cases, indicating 8,948 fewer new cases across the state last week compared to the previous week.
The percentage of positivity across the state dropped to 10.5% from 12.7% last week. All counties in the state have a worrying percentage of positivity above 5%. This includes two counties with a positive percentage of 20% or more, a decrease of two counties from the previous week.
“The Department of Health continues to monitor all cases across Pennsylvania to better prevent outbreaks and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but as we continue these efforts, we need residents to wear a mask, social distance, avoid meetings and do the thing. right to prevent it from spreading, ”said acting health secretary Alison Beam. “Throughout the pandemic, the Wolf Administration has expanded resources and tools for residents. We encourage Pennsylvania residents to download the COVID Alert PA app to receive exposure notification alerts and see data in the palm of their hand, as well as use the newest vaccine eligibility tool as we continue to send the vaccine across the state “.
Community Broadcast
As of Friday’s data, 66 counties were at the substantial level of community transmission, the highest level of transmission.
There are three levels of transmission: low, moderate and substantial. In the week ending January 21, 66 counties were at the substantial level of transmission. Cameron County is the only county that has a low level of transmission.
Cases between 5 and 18 years of age
The Department of Health is providing weekly data on the number of COVID-19 cases across the state between 5 and 18 years of age.
Throughout the pandemic, there were 67,564 total cases of COVID-19 between 5 and 18 years of age. Of this total, 4,143 occurred between January 15 and January 21. In the week from January 8 to January 15, there were 5,376 cases of COVID-19 in the age group of 5 to 18 years.
Cases by demographic group are available on the DOH website.
Business Visits
The Department of Health is providing weekly data on the number of individuals who responded to case investigators who spent time in commercial establishments (restaurants, bars, gyms, salons / barber shops) and in mass meetings 14 days before the start of Symptoms of covid19.
It is important to note that due to the recent number of cases, the department is prioritizing case investigations to prevent outbreaks. In addition to the need to answer the call, the expressive number of cases contributes to the low percentages of case investigation data. All of this reinforces the need for the inhabitants of Pennsylvania to take measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Of the 46,041 cases reported between January 10 and 16 and excluding residents of Philadelphia County and those who responded to the investigation of the digital case, 6.8% (3,138) answered the question whether they spent time in a commercial establishment.
Of those who responded, 0.5 percent, or 218, answered yes, they visited a commercial establishment 14 days before the onset of symptoms:
- 30 percent (66) of those who said yes reported going to a restaurant;
- 44 percent (96) of those who said yes reported having gone to some other business establishment;
- 12 percent (26) of those who said yes reported going to a bar;
- 10 percent (21) of those who said yes reported going to a gym / fitness center; and
- 11 percent (23) of those who said yes reported going to a beauty salon / barber shop.
Of the 46,041 cases, 6.9 percent (3,153) answered the question whether they attended a mass meeting or another major event. Of the 6.8 percent of cases, 6.9 percent (218) answered yes if they attended a mass meeting or other major event 14 days before the onset of symptoms.
Compared to data reported on January 19, this week’s data showed an increase for people who reported going to the gym (10 percent versus 4 percent last week). The data saw a decrease for people who reported going to a restaurant (30 percent vs. 34 percent last week) and going to the bar (12 percent versus 16 percent last week).
The number of people who reported going to some other business remained the same compared to last week (44 percent versus 44 percent last week) and going to a beauty salon / barbershop (11 percent versus 15 percent last week).
The number of people who attended a mass meeting or other major event decreased to 6.9 percent from 7.4 percent compared to last week.
In addition to the traditional case investigation, the Department of Health launched the new Connect & Protect Form as a means of completing a digital case investigation. During the week of January 10-16, 667 forms were filled out and returned. Of the 98 percent, or 656, who responded if they spent any time at any commercial establishment two days before the onset of symptoms or positive collection date if asymptomatic, 8.3 percent, or 56 individuals, the individuals answered yes:
- 61 percent (34) of those who said yes reported going to a restaurant;
- 5 percent (3) of those who said yes reported having gone to some other business establishment;
- 9 percent (5) of those who said yes reported going to a bar;
- 21 percent (12) of those who said yes reported going to a gym / fitness center; and
- 7 percent (4) of those who said yes reported going to a beauty salon / barber shop.
The figures above highlight business environments and mass meetings as possible locations for transmission. It is important to note that Pennsylvania is currently experiencing widespread transmission in the community. With less than 10 percent of respondents asked about the types of businesses they visited or attended a mass meeting answering the question, the department is again reminding the inhabitants of Pennsylvania that it is essential to answer the phone when case investigators call and provide complete information and complete information for these clinical professionals.
Travel recommendations
In November, the Department of Health issued an updated travel order requiring anyone over the age of 11 visiting from another state to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test or to be placed in a travel quarantine for 14 days after entering the country. Pennsylvania. The travel quarantine orientation was changed to 10 days on December 5 based on the new CDC guidance.
This order does not apply to people moving to and from another state for work or medical treatment, those who have left the state for less than 24 hours or those who comply with a court order, including custody of the children.
It is important that people understand that this Order exists to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. A worrying number of recent cases have been related to travel, and if people are going to travel, we need them to take steps to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community, and that involves having a negative test or being quarantined.
Governor Wolf continues to prioritize the health and safety of all Pennsylvania residents through the COVID-19 pandemic. Pennsylvania residents must continue to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19, regardless of the county in which they live. This includes the use of a mask or facial cover whenever they are in public. It has been shown that COVID-19 spreads easily in the air and contagious carriers can be asymptomatic. Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to wash their hands, distance themselves socially, avoid meetings and download COVID Alert PA.