PA Department of Health Confirms 28 Known COVID-19 Cases in Pennsylvania, All in Eastern Counties

A map of the Pennsylvania counties with confirmed COVID-19 patients (as of 3/12/20).. Lt Blue - 1 case, Dk Blue - 2 cases, Pink 13+ cases

HARRISBURG (MAR 13 2020) -- The Pennsylvania Department of Health last night confirmed that there are currently 28 people with the novel Coronavirus in Pennsylvania as of 6 pm yesterday. That is six more than they had announced only four hours previously. They have not revealed any information about the additional six cases.

Today is one week since the first two cases were identified in the state. In that time, the state has tested over 219 people, with over half coming back negative. There are about 75 tests which have not yet been completed. Although the Centers for Disease Control guidance has been amended to permit anyone who wants to be tested to get a test, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is following a more restrictive policy and permitting testing mainly to those in at-risk populations and who are also known to have been in an affected area. Others, they said, can go to a commercial lab and pay for the test. Locally, some voluntary mitigation efforts have been taken. State Representative Maureen Madden has closed her offices. The Regional Odyssey of the Mind competition scheduled for this weekend has been canceled, as have the St Patrick's day parades and celebrations in Stroudsburg, Wilkes Barre, Scranton, and Jim Thorpe. The Sherman Theater announced two upcoming shows have been canceled by the artists. The Swiftwater Elementary PTO announced that the Pocono Mountain School District had canceled two of their upcoming events due to the pandemic. The Monroe County Technical Institute has closed their cosmetology salon and their culinary cafe to the public.

As of this morning, plays, assemblies, and athletic competitions at Pocono Mountain and other county school districts were still scheduled to go forward. The local waterparks remain open, as does the casino. Concerts and shows at the casino, Sherman, and other entertainment venues are also proceeding, and local movie theaters remain open, as do restaurants and bars. Conventions and meetings at Kalahari and Mount Airy are also proceeding.