Despite the uptick in COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County and throughout the state, PA Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levin told reporters Monday that the state has no plans to go back to the red, yellow and green mitigation system.
"We have no plans to go back to red, yellow, green or any type of schema such as that," said Levine.
Dr Levine says the mitigation already in place can control the virus, but only if people will follow it. And she urges people to get past the politicalization of mask wearing.
"This is not a political issue. This is not a partisan issue. This is an urgent public health issue," said Levine.
Aside from the highest case numbers since the start of the pandemic, Levine is closely watching the nearly 2,400 hospitalizations, and the rate of positive cases at 9.6%. Both are up sharply from last week.
As of Monday, November 16, the total number of cases statewide was 269,613. There have been 9,325 COVID-related deaths in the state since the start of the pandemic.
Daily case counts began to rise in late September and with a dramatic increase beginning in late October, according to data from the Dept. of Health.
“The significant increase in cases and percent positivity across much of the state is cause for concern,” Gov. Wolf said in a release. “We need all Pennsylvanians to take a stand and answer the call to protect one another. We need Pennsylvanians to be united in wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, washing our hands and avoiding gatherings. It is only by working together that Pennsylvanians can prevent the spread of the virus.”
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The number of daily test results reported has also been in the rise throughout much of the year.
Allegheny County reported 527 new cases on Sunday and another 500 on Monday. Total cases in the county now stand at 20,526 with 443 COVID-related deaths.
Over the previous 7 days, Pennsylvania added more than 26,000 new COVID cases giving the state a nearly 10% positivity rate.
“This week’s data, in terms of case increase, percent positivity and other factors is concerning,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. We know COVID-19 does not discriminate. It is affecting all Pennsylvanians, no matter your race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status or whether you live a rural, suburban or urban area. We need all Pennsylvanians to take the steps they can take to protect one another.”
Throughout the state, 59 counties are categorized with substantial transmission status.