Gov. Wolf Asks Federal Government For Emergency COVID Support

PENNSYLVANIA — Gov. Tom Wolf's administration has asked for emergency assistance from the federal government amid the latest COVID-19 surge and the pressure which increasing hospitalizations have placed on the healthcare system.

The state's request is to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and asks for help in several key areas, including staffing support for healthcare workers, pandemic response support in the form of key supplies, and more.

“Our health care system is strained from COVID-19 cases and further exacerbated by persistent staffing shortages across the sector,” Gov. Wolf said in a statement. “I am hopeful that these critically important supports will be addressed to alleviate the strain on our health care system and ultimately be able to provide Pennsylvanians the care they need during this time.”

Specifically, the state requested hospital strike teams, skilled nursing facility strike teams, and ambulance strike teams to be sent to the parts of the state where hospitalizations are the highest.

Further support requests include an ask for one million rapid-at-home COVID-19 tests, and an increased allocation of monoclonal antibodies.

The total number of individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 increased by 5.4 percent over the past week, according to the Department of Health. The number of average daily hospitalizations now sits at 4,251. The hospitalization rate thus far in December is the highest mark the state has seen since the first of week of February.