2 Coronavirus Cases In PA, Gov. Wolf Says

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania has two cases of novel coronavirus, Gov. Tom Wolf said Friday morning.

Wolf was joined by health officials in Harrisburg Friday at a news conference where he announced cases in Delaware and Wayne counties. Both cases are presumed positive, Wolf said.

Officials did not provide further details on the patients. Both patients are complying with directives to stay self-quarantined in their homes and both are in good condition, officials said.

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The patients were exposed to the coronavirus, known as COVID-19, through travel, and it was not spread through community interaction, officials said during the news conference.

In Delaware County, the patient recently traveled to an area of the United States where COVID-19 is present. The Wayne County patient recently traveled to a country where COVID-19 is present.

The commonwealth is prepared to respond to community spread of this virus, Wolf said.

"We anticipated this very scenario and have been preparing for Pennsylvanians to become impacted by this virus," the governor said. "This is not the first rapidly-spreading virus we have faced in our commonwealth and it will not be the last. We are prepared to mitigate the spread of this virus."

Also Friday, Wolf 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.”

Earlier Friday, the Central Bucks School District in Bucks County closed five schools after people within the district were exposed to a confirmed case of coronavirus. A person from out of state, who is now known to have coronavirus, attended a recent private gathering at a residence in central Bucks County, county officials said. Students and staff at five schools were in attendance.

On Thursday, Pennsylvania health officials issued new guidelines for residents returning from China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea.

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 coronavirus worldwide, including more than 3,300 deaths. There are 233 cases in the United States. Overnight, the number of U.S. deaths from the virus rose overnight by two to 14, with most of them from a single nursing home in the Seattle area.

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.

The money would pay for a multi-dimensional attack on the virus that is beginning to threaten major disruptions in the United States.

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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