For those counties in the PA state that are under the red phase, just a head’s up that Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine have extended the stay-at-home order to June 4. These counties under the red phase cover two-thirds of the state.
Twenty-four counties have been moved from the red phase to yellow as of 12:01 am Friday. The next wave of counties that will be making a phase move will be announced sometime by Wolf on Friday. He did not state yet on when the move will officially be implemented.
Pennsylvania’s daily additional coronavirus cases have exceeded more than 1,000 for the first time this week, making the statewide total to 52,915 cases so far. According to a recent report by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, 209,873 people have tested negative for COVID-19. The current death toll in the state is now at 3,416.
A few days ago, there was a recorded spike of 554 deaths on Tuesday alone. According to the state Department of Health, the large number of new deaths that were released to the public recently were spread out over the previous two weeks as it reconciles its figures with death reports from local hospitals and related agencies.
Although this death count seems to look alarming, the growth in cases has been slow in many parts of Pennsylvania and the administration of Gov. Tom Wolf is now in the process of lightening its restrictions on business and leisure activities.
Gov. Tom Wolf previously announced that he would be lifting some restrictions to specific outdoor activities. Golf courses, private owned campgrounds, marinas, and guided fishing trips are some of these related activities. Campgrounds in state parks are not allowed to open and will remain closed through May 14. However, nail salons, hair salons, gyms, and theaters are still not allowed to reopen.
