Delco Declares Emergency, Dispels Coronavirus Case Misinformation

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Delaware County officials signed an emergency declaration over the weekend due to a presumed case of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, in the county. Officials also dispelled rumors about the patient's location this weekend.

On March 7, Delaware County Council Chairman Brian Zidek signed an emergency declaration due to the case in the county.

The emergency disaster declaration provides increased support to agencies, departments and local municipalities involved in the response to the virus.

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The declaration also provides the council the authority to act in the public interest regarding scheduling public meetings and assemblies.

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Additionally, the declaration ensures that the county can receive financial assistance from the state and federal governments if needed.

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As of Monday, Pennsylvania has 10 presumed cases of the illness.

Seven of the cases are in Montgomery County, one is in Delaware County, one is in Monroe County, and another in Wayne County.

Three patients are hospitalized, the others are quarantined, officials said. One of the patients in Montgomery County is in critical condition.

All of the cases as of Monday are travel related, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said during a Monday press conference. She said the department fully expects community spread of the disease, however.

Gov. Tom Wolf last week signed an emergency disaster declaration to provide increased support to state agencies to tackle coronavirus.

"It is critical to prepare for and respond to suspected or confirmed cases in the commonwealth and to implement measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The disaster declaration is an additional way we can be prepared," Wolf said.

The disaster declaration follows the Department of Health's activation of its Department Operations Center at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency's headquarters to conduct public health and medical coordination for COVID-19 throughout the state.

Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey released a statement on the confirmed cases, saying "I will push to make sure appropriate resources are sent to Pennsylvania quickly. I urge all Pennsylvanians to follow the instructions of their medical provider, public health professionals as well as federal agencies like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

As for the patient herself, officials said reports of where she lives circulating in the press and on social media are false.

"Johns Hopkins' website has an international map of confirmed COVID-19 cases, officials said over the weekend. "Zooming in to the map shows a home in South Media. This is not where the patient lives. The location is aggregated to the Center of the County. It is not an indication of where the female lives."

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has community nurses in Delaware County who are talking to residents who may have been in contact with the woman who is presumed positive.

They are conducting aggressive contact tracing to identify the people this individual may have come into contact with and are alerting those people. They will quarantine when warranted, and they will notify public locations when warranted.

There has been some feedback from the community about the decision to not release the municipality of where the woman who has tested presumptive positive resides.

"We want to reiterate that the decision came from the Pennsylvania Department of Health," said Vice Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. "During their briefings to the County, the State has not disclosed where the female resides. We are sharing with residents what facts we know."

Council and various legislators have urged the Governor to make more information about the patient available.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health follows procedures to comply with the Disease Control and Prevention Act, which prohibits the state from releasing identifying information about a patient unless there is an imminent threat.

Unlike surrounding counties, Delaware County does not have a County Health Department.
County Health Departments do not fall under this state law and have the ability to release information to their residents as they see fit.

Pennsylvania now has six presumed cases of the virus as of Monday morning.

Four are in Montgomery County (two of which are in Lower Merion Township), one in Wayne County, and the Delaware County case.

As of Sunday night, more than 530 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the United States. Twenty-one people in the United States have died as of Sunday evening.

To date, there are nearly 100,000 cases of the coronavirus worldwide, including more than 3,300 deaths.

A lab in Chester County has begun testing for the virus. The CDC said in late January that it would be screening passengers at the Philadelphia International Airport for the illness.
To date, there are nearly 100,000 cases of the corona

President Donald Trump Friday signed an $8.3 billion measure that the U.S. Senate approved Thursday to tackle the new coronavirus outbreak, which surged to more than 100,000 confirmed cases overnight into Friday.

A lab in Chester County begun testing for the virus last week. The CDC said in late January that it would be screening passengers at the Philadelphia International Airport for the illness.

According to Pennsylvania health officials, travelers who are self-monitoring their health and practicing social distancing should:

• Take your temperature with a thermometer twice day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
• Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period.
• If you must leave your home, do not take public transportation, taxis or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.
• If you must leave your home, avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.
• Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).

Pennsylvanians are encouraged to help stop the spread of viruses by:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones and other frequently touched items.
• If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with others.

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