UPDATED: 7:37 p.m.
Pennsylvania health officials confirmed 276 additional deaths from the coronavirus Sunday, for a total of 1,112 fatalities. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine clarified that probable cases of the virus are now being counted as well as positive cases, leading to the substantial increase in reported deaths.
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"We have been working to reconcile our data with information from several different sources, including our NEDSS reporting system and our county and municipal health departments," Levine said.
She continued, "This is the cause of the increase in deaths we are reporting today. This work takes time and so the increase in deaths today reflects the culmination of that effort, which will continue moving forward. The majority of these deaths did not occur overnight."
Levine also reported 1,215 new positive cases of COVID-19, raising the state's total to 32,284, across all 67 counties.
In Montgomery County, officials reported an additional 116 positive cases, bringing the county total to 2,739 cases and 155 deaths.
Residents respond to mandatory mask order
Levine's order that requiring masks at essential businesses for employees and customers is set to be enforced beginning Sunday night, and Pennsylvanians have a lot to say about it.
Darlene Williams of Germantown, who was wearing a mask while on the way to the post office, said she is all for it.
"People should wear their masks, because right now this thing isn't cured yet," she said. "And it’s safer."
The order makes exceptions for people with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing masks, and for children two years old and under.
Outside of the Walmart in Mount Airy, nearly 50 people lined up, standing six feet apart, most wearing masks, like Etta who was with her daughter and three-year-old grandson, who did not have a mask. Etta said while she would do what was required, masks are hard to get and cost money, which is also hard to come by during this pandemic.
"If they want us to wear the masks, they should give them to us," she said.
Paul Hightower said he would wear his mask, but was frustrated by what he sees as a double standard.
"I see the president and them on TV standing up there with no masks on, they're all standing right next to each other," he said. "What’s going on out here that’s not going on over there?"
Levine said it would be great if stores supplied customers with masks, but it isn't a requirement. However, the state does require businesses to otherwise provide alternate methods of pickup or delivery.