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UPDATED: 4:12 p.m.
While such an order has not yet been declared here in the state, Pennsylvania health secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said that's an action that could happen here in the very near future. "We are in those discussions with the administration and with the governor and we will make those determinations over the next number of days," she said.
She added if an order were to be put in place, it would be implemented similarly to what other states have done. In California, for example, residents have been ordered to stay at home except as needed to maintain critical infrastructure and to continue to have access to food, prescriptions and healthcare.
The consideration to implement a statewide shelter in place order comes amid the news that a new coronavirus-related death has been confirmed in Allegheny County, bringing the total number of statewide coronavirus-related deaths now to two since the virus was first detected here on March 6.
In Pennsylvania, 371 people have officially tested positive for COVID-19 so far in 28 counties.
"In terms of the most patients, the most patients seem to be middle aged adults with seniors next and young adults next," Levine explained.
The secretary of health said it's unclear how long current and new restrictions would last and whether they would extend beyond two weeks.
"We're in new ground here," she cautioned. "This is a novel coronavirus and a global pandemic. We are still seeing an exponential rise of new cases in Pennsylvania and in the United States so we don't have that specific information."
Levine added just how important it is not to panic during this pandemic.
"Each day we tell you how important it is to stay calm, to stay home and to stay safe," she advised.
Philadelphia confirms first nursing home case
Philadelphia health officials reported 18 new coronavirus cases, bringing the city’s total to 85, and they expect many more will come.
Of the 85 confirmed cases, more than half are among those ages 20 and 39, while 17 of the cases are over age 60.
Officials say 12 patients have been hospitalized and Health Commisioner Tom Farley confirmed the city's first case inside of a nursing home. Therefore, they are they are stepping up precautions.
"No visits to nursing homes," Farley said. "And no visits to hospitals. This is what we need to do to keep people safe."
Officials said with 20 testing sites now in operation, about 1,700 COVID-19 tests were conducted on Friday, so the numbers could shift dramatically in the coming days. Farley said all of the sites have limited tests, so they are using criteria to limit tests to those with symptoms, and most are required to speak to their doctor first.
As for financial relief, Mayor Jim Kenney joined more than 300 mayors to ask the federal government for $250 billion in aid for COVID-19.
"We are asking that this aid be provided directly to America’s cities," he said, adding that funneling federal aid through states is not efficient in these times.
All city construction must be shut down by March 27 at 5 p.m. And city officials stressed that people stay inside, but are closing Martin Luther King Jr. Drive until further notice to allow people to use the trail while social distancing. Information that can help business owners, workers and more is available on the city's COVID-19 website.
Montgomery County announces nine more cases
Montgomery County officials announced nine new positive cases, bringing the county total to 77 cases.
Officials said the drive-thru site that just opened on the Temple University Ambler campus will remain open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The site is by appointment only. Residents can register on the county’s website, montcopa.org/covid-19.
To get tested, people must meet one of the following criteria:
- People under 65 years old, have a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher and respiratory symptoms (cough or shortness of breath)
- People 65 years old or older, with a fever of 99.6 degrees or higher and respiratory symptoms
- First responders, including law enforcement, fire fighters, EMS workers and dispatchers who have been exposed to suspected cases
- Health care workers, providing direct patient care and who have been exposed to suspected cases, who cannot get tested in their health care facilities
County Commissioner Dr. Val Arkoosh said on the first day of the testing site, over 500 people drove through the site.
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