PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Coronavirus cases continue to climb in Pennsylvania, but health officials say they have no plans to enact blanket mitigation efforts, like the red-yellow-green zones enforced during the spring surge.
Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said COVID-19 hospitalizations across the state increased by more than 650 in one week, now just shy of 2,400.
“This number is rising rapidly,” she said. “It highlights the role we all play in preventing our health systems from being overrun.”
Levine said the state does not have any plans for Pennsylvania-wide business closures or limitation orders, similar to what was put in place in the spring.
“We really support the authority of local communities to make decisions in their local areas,” she added.
The best way to avoid any strict mitigation orders, Levine said, is to take steps to limit the spread of the virus now, like wearing a mask, washing your hands, and avoiding gatherings. Philadelphia now recommends no indoor gatherings of any size outside of your household.
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“This is not a political issue,” Levine assured. “This is not a partisan issue. This is an urgent public health issue.”