Voices of Pennsylvanians Blocked by Court Ruling

 

HARRISBURG – The House Republican leadership team issued the following statement in response to the state Supreme Court’s ruling on Scarnati v. Wolf, a ruling that strikes down the bipartisan vote to end the ongoing emergency declaration:

“Pennsylvanians have made it clear; they will not sit idly by while one person makes every decision regarding COVID-19. Throughout this event, Gov. Tom Wolf has refused to engage with the General Assembly, the elected voices of our Commonwealth’s residents, regardless of the implications of his decisions.

“Whether it’s an arbitrary shutdown order that benefits certain businesses while leaving more than 2 million Pennsylvanians relying on a broken unemployment compensation system, neglecting our most vulnerable nursing home residents, or vetoing bills to restart the economy, only to issue executive orders that accomplish the same goals minutes later, the governor must be held accountable by the Legislature, as is required by our Constitution.

“Today’s ruling, which comes just moments after another unenforceable, unilateral mask order, sends a message to all Pennsylvanians: The governor and the Supreme Court do not want to hear from you.

“The House Republican leadership team and our members will continue to work in the House to find a path to helping all Pennsylvanians rebuild and recover from the governor’s decisions.”

The House Republican Leadership team is Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), Appropriations Committee Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York), Majority Whip Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), Policy Committee Chair Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), Caucus Chair Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery), Caucus Secretary Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset) and Caucus Administrator Kurt Masser (R-Northumberland/Columbia/Montour).

Gov. Wolf: Sec. of Health Signs Expanded Mask-Wearing Order
Masks Are Mandatory in All Public Spaces

Harrisburg, PA – Expanding on the business safety order signed by Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine in April that requires the wearing of masks in businesses, Governor Tom Wolf today announced a new order signed by Dr. Levine that takes the mask-wearing directive one step further.

With this order, signed under Dr. Levine’s authority under the Disease Prevention and Control Act, masks must be worn whenever anyone leaves home. The order takes effect immediately.

“This mask-wearing order is essential to stopping the recent increase in COVID-19 cases we have seen in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Wolf said. “Those hot spots can be traced to situations where Pennsylvanians were not wearing masks or practicing social distancing – two practices that must be adhered to if we want to maintain the freedoms we have in place under our reopening.”

The order outlines the situations when a mask must be worn and includes limited exceptions to the face-covering requirement.

Each of the state’s mitigation efforts has helped to slow the spread of COVID-19, kept our health care systems from being overwhelmed, and allowed for Gov. Wolf’s measured, phased reopening to proceed. But, with nearly every county is the green phase of reopening, complacency cannot be the norm.

“It is essential that Pennsylvanians wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “While cases increase in some areas, we cannot become complacent. My mask protects you, and your mask protects me. Wearing a mask shows that you care about others, and that you are committed to protecting the lives of those around you.”

More and more health experts have called for mask wearing, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who said during a June 30 Senate hearing on COVID-19, “Americans who don’t wear masks may ‘propagate the further spread of infection.’”

The mask-wearing order will be sent to state and local officials, law enforcement and others tasked with education about the order for those not in compliance.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 636 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 87,242

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., July 1, that there are 636 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 87,242. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

There are 6,687 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 38 new deaths. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here.

Locally in Beaver County we are up 9 cases since yesterday at 678. 658 confirmed cases and 20 probables. 6260 people have tested negative and the county stands at 78.

“As nearly the entire state is now in the green phase, we must remain committed to protecting against COVID-19,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach. However, the virus has not gone away. Each of us has a responsibility to continue to protect ourselves, our loved ones and others by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and washing our hands frequently. Together we can protect our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our essential workers and our healthcare system.”

Mask wearing is required in all businesses in all phases of reopening. Consistent mask wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

There are 633 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure, which are considered probable cases and not confirmed cases. There are 689,562 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

• Nearly 1% are ages 0-4;
• 1% are ages 5-12;
• 2% are ages 13-18;
• 7% are ages 19-24;
• Nearly 37% are ages 25-49;
• 24% are ages 50-64; and
• 27% are ages 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 17,805 resident cases of COVID-19, and 3,291 cases among employees, for a total of 21,096 at 699 distinct facilities in 52 counties. Out of our total deaths, 4,583 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 6,636 of our total cases are in health care workers.

For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.

Currently, all 67 counties are in the yellow or green phase of reopening.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, June 30:

• Provided the latest CMU metrics report.
• Provided an update from Pennsylvania State Police on business closure enforcement actions.
• Signed House Bill 2418, which extends the sunset date for the Geospatial Coordinating Board by four years; and provides for the Treasury to submit a COVID-19 debt cost reduction review to the General Assembly.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials
• Map with the number of COVID-19 cases

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.