Monroe County Residents Ordered to Stay Home, School Closure Extended for Two Weeks

HARRISBURG (MAR 23 2020) -- Governor Tom Wolf this afternoon ordered residents of six counties, including Monroe, to "stay at home unless not leaving your home endangers a life." Together with Philadelphia, which was placed under a similar order yesterday, the six counties comprise 75% of the state's COVID-19 infections.

At this afternoon's virtual press conference, the state Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, revealed three coronavirus-related deaths today, bringing the total in Pennsylvania to six since the outbreak began. Monroe County has had one death, as have Allegheny, Lackawanna, and Montgomery, while Northampton County has seen two die from the disease. The governor's "stay at home" order will be in effect for two weeks. The governor also extended the school closures statewide by an additional two weeks. Governor Wolf said that the measures were necessary in order to slow the rate of infection so that the state's health care system is not overwhelmed as was Italy's. Secretary Levine said that the state has "over 2,000 ventilators" and 3,500 ICU beds, of which 60% are in use at any given time. The Governor said his offices would be releasing additional guidance on the stay at home order later today. Roads, grocery stores, and pharmacies will remain open and there are no plans to restrict travel into or our of Pennsylvania.