HARRISBURG (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - According to the CDC, Pennsylvania is one of only three states to have a downward trajectory of COVID-19 cases for more than 42 days.
The other two states are Montana and Hawaii.
"We know our decline in cases is because of our choices because more than half of states are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases as reopening begins," Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday. "Many of these states are experiencing significant case increases tied to reopening too soon or too much. Pennsylvania is not. We have remained focused on balancing economic interests with public health."
Even with a large portion of the state opening back up in the green phase and all others in the yellow phase, cases have remained low with only a fourth of the cases that were reported during the peak.
"Pennsylvanians have done an excellent job at demonstrating how to balance business and public health," Gov. Wolf said. "If we keep this up, we can continue to be a model to other states and a leader at saving lives and livelihoods during this pandemic."
As of Wednesday, over 20 states are reporting and uptick in coronavirus cases.
Three states, Arizona, Texas and Florida have seen a large increae in cases over the past few days and there is talk of shuting down some areas again.
With life getting back to some form of normal, Wolf reminds Pennsylvanians it is important to remain safe and take safety precautions like wearing a mask.
"Recently, more studies show that masks prevent people from unknowingly giving COVID-19 to others," Wolf said. "This includes peer-reviewed studies published in scientific journals like The New England Journal of Medicine.
"As the U.S. Surgeon General said a few days ago, wearing a mask doesn't impinge on our freedom – it gives us more freedom from unknowingly spreading COVID-19."
Additional data from John Hopkins University and the New York Times shows PA is one of a few select states that continue to flatten the curve.
Pennsylvania's Department of Health is reporting 335 new positive cases across the commonwealth on Wednesday. It is the fourth day in a row with less than 400 cases.
A total of 79,818 cases have been reported since the first confirmed cases in March.
The state is also reporting 43 additional deaths for a total of 6,319.
Dr. Rachel Levine says 75 percent of those affected with COVID-19 have recovered and she is encouraging those that have recovered to donate plasma.
"Because you have recovered, you're plasma now contains COVID-19 antibodies . . . and those anti-bodies now could help someone now who is battling the virus as we speak," said Dr. Levine.
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