HARRISBURG, Pa. (WLVT)-After a daily record high of 4,035 new coronavirus cases was reported in Pennsylvania on Saturday, Dr. Rachel Levine, the state secretary of health, addressed the press on Monday to remind people to stay vigilant.
“This is a call to action for everyone in Pennsylvania. COVID-19 is right here, and we are at a critical point. We all need to take steps to prevent the spread of this virus. And if we don’t, we put ourselves, our families, our communities and our health systems as risk,” Levine said.
As of Monday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania stands at 234,296. Levine says that current case counts are the highest they’ve been in Pennsylvania since the beginning of the pandemic. With case levels rising, Levine said she was pleased to hear today’s news that a potential vaccine is in the works.
“We don’t know exactly when we’re going to see it, but it was a very positive announcement from Pfizer that their vaccine has been shown to be very effective, they said up to 90% effective. They have finished their efficacy studies. They still haven’t finished all their safety studies. They’re anticipating that maybe by the end of November, beginning of December. So the process will be that they will declare that they are done with their studies. They will submit all of that to the FDA and the federal government, which will go through a review process by the FDA and the CDC, etc. And so our jobs come when they say that’s done. And then they will notify us about the distribution and then we stand ready to distribute and administer the vaccine,” she said.
Even with this hopeful news, Levine said that residents need to cooperate with contract tracers in order to control and contain the virus. She stressed that the case investigations are completely confidential and anonymous.
“More and more people are not providing the information that we need as part of our case investigations. If you test positive, when a case investigator reaches out to you, answer the call,” she said. “You might just save a life by being honest during those case investigations.”
The secretary also recommended that holiday celebrations be curtailed this year and held virtually, as even relatively small gatherings can contribute to the spread of the virus.
“Now that we’re entering November, we’re getting close to Thanksgiving, and then the holidays with Christmas and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. But we are asking people to not get together, actually, with their loved ones and their friends. And I know that’s really challenging and it is a sacrifice,” Levine said.
Levine also reminded Pennsylvanians to download the COVID Alert PA app, as a way to help prevent the spread of the virus.
As Pennsylvania hit its highest daily total of new coronavirus cases, this past weekend, Dr. Rachel Levine warns against gathering for holiday celebrations.
