The Wolf administration today announced a weekly status update outlining the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 early warning alarm board, with a seven-day increase of 31,140, a positive percentage of 10.5% and 66 provinces with significant broadcasting status. .
The update contains the following:
The dashboard is designed to give early warning signs of factors affecting the mitigation efforts of the state. The data available on the early warning monitoring instrument panel include case differences between week and week, incidence rates, test percentage and rates of hospitalizations, ventilations, and emergency room visits associated with COVID-19. This week’s update compares the period January 15 – January 21 with the previous seven days, January 8 – January 14.
“After six consecutive weeks of all 67 provinces reporting the significant level of transfer, we now have one province moving into the low level of transfer category – a big sign of progress,” Governor Wolf said. ‘But there is still more work to be done, and we must not become complacent. I believe we can sustain these best public health practices to continue the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, keep each other safe, and continue to implement the COVID-19 vaccine. ”
With effect from Thursday, January 21, the state increased a seven-day case by 31,140 cases; the previous seven-day increase was 40,088 cases, indicating 8,948 fewer new cases nationwide in the past week compared to the previous week.
The nationwide percentage of positivity decreased to 10.5% from 12.7% last week. Each province in the state has a greater percentage than 5 percent. This includes two provinces with a percentage positivity of 20 percent or more, a decrease of two provinces over the previous week.
‘The Department of Health continues to monitor all cases in Pennsylvania to best prevent outbreaks and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but while we continue these efforts, our residents need to wear a mask, have social distance, gatherings avoid and do the right thing. to stop the spread, ”said Acting Health Minister Alison Beam. ‘Throughout the pandemic, the Wolf administration has expanded resources and resources for residents. We encourage Pennsylvanians to download the COVID Alert PA app to receive exposure notifications and view data in the palm of your hand, as well as use the latest vaccination tool as we continue to vaccinate across to get the state. ”
Community Broadcast
As of Friday’s data, 66 counties were at the significant level of community transfer, the highest level of transfer.
There are three levels of transmission: low, moderate and significant. For the week ending January 21, 66 counties were significantly dispatched. Cameron County is only the province that is at the low level of provincial transfer.
Cases among 5-18 year olds
The Department of Health provides weekly data on the number of COVID-19 cases in the country among 5 to 18-year-olds.
During the pandemic, there were 67,564 cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds. Of the total, 4,143 occurred between January 15 and January 21. For the week of January 8 – January 15, there were 5,376 cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds.
Cases per demographic group are available on the DOH website.
Business visits
The Department of Health provides weekly data on the number of individuals who responded to investigators and that they spent 14 days before the start of time at businesses (restaurants, bars, gyms / fitness centers, salons / barber shops). Covid19 symptoms.
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 for people to answer the call, the significant number of cases contributes to the low percentages in case investigation data. All of this reinforces the need for Pennsylvanians to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Of the 46,041 cases reported between Jan. 10 and 16, excluding Philadelphia County residents and those who answered the digital case, 6.8 percent (3,138) answered their time at ‘ established a business.
Of those who did answer, 0.5 percent, or 218, answered yes, they visited a business 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 went to another business;
- 12 percent (26) of those who said yes went 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 went to a salon / barbershop.
Of the 46,041 cases, 6.9 percent (3,153) answered the question of whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event. Of the 6.8 percent of cases, 6.9 percent (218) answered yes or attended a mass gathering or other large event 14 days before the onset of symptoms.
Compared to the 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). 34 percent last week) and to the bar (12 percent versus 16 percent last week).
The number of people who went to another business remained the same compared to last week (44 percent versus 44 percent last week) and to a salon / barbershop (11 percent versus 15 percent last week).
The number of people who attended a mass gathering or other large gathering decreased to 6.9 percent from 7.4 percent compared to last week.
In addition to the traditional case investigation, the Department of Health has introduced the new Connect & Protect form as a way to complete a digital case investigation. During the week of January 10 to 16, 667 forms were completed and returned. Of the 98 percent, or 656, who answered whether they spent time with any business two days before the onset of the symptom or a positive collection date, as individuals, 8.3 percent or 56 individuals, individuals answered yes:
- 61 percent (34) of those who said yes went to a restaurant;
- 5 percent (3) of those who said yes reported going to another business;
- 9 percent (5) of those who said yes went to a bar;
- 21 percent (12) of those who said yes went to a gym / fitness center; and
- Seven percent (4) of those who said yes went to a salon / barbershop.
The above numbers highlight business institutions and mass gatherings as possible sites for transfer. It is important to note that Pennsylvania is currently experiencing widespread community transfer. With less than ten percent of people asked about what type of business they visited or if they attended a mass rally to respond to the question, the Pennsylvania department again reminds them that it is essential that they have the phone answer when investigators call and to provide complete information. and provide complete information to 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 they entered Pennsylvania. The guidance for travel quarantine was changed to 5 days on 5 December on the basis of new CDC guidance.
This order does not apply to people commuting to and from another state for work or medical treatment, those who have left the state less than 24 hours, or those who comply with a court order, including child custody.
It is important for people to understand that this order was established to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. A number of recent cases have been linked to travel, and if people are going to travel, they need to take steps to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community, and that involves undergoing a negative test or putting themselves in a quarantine.
The Wolf government continues to prioritize the health and safety of all Pennsylvania residents through the COVID-19 pandemic. Pennsylvania must continue to take action to prevent the spread of COVID-19, regardless of the country in which they live. This includes wearing a mask or face mask when in public. COVID-19 has been shown to spread easily in the air and infectious carriers can be asymptomatic. Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to wash their hands, distance themselves from society, avoid gatherings, and download COVID Alert PA.