Gov. Tom Wolf extended Pennsylvania’s stay-at-home order to include Centre County on Saturday as the number of cases in the county and state continues to rise. Wolf didn’t give specific reasons why Centre County was added, but the order is part of efforts to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
The Department of Health announced the number of confirmed cases in Centre County is now at 15. The expansion of this order brings the total number of counties up to 22 and also includes Beaver and Washington Counties.
The order takes effect at 8 p.m. Saturday and continues until April 6.
The counties now under stay-at-home orders include Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Bucks, Butler, Centre, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland and York Counties.
The Department of Health announced the number of confirmed cases in Centre County is now at 15. The total number of cases in the state is now 2,751. There have been 34 deaths statewide.
Click on counties to see the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths.
Wolf urged everyone to abide by the stay-at-home order.
“If you live in a county under a stay-at-home order you should not leave your home unless you absolutely must,” Wolf said. “Because ultimately someone’s life depends on you staying home.”
There are a number of exemptions to the order. Tasks necessary to maintain the health and safety of households are still allowed, including going out to get medicine and medical supplies, going to the doctor and getting supplies to work from home. Going out for supplies for family households or volunteer activities is also allowed.
People can do outdoor activities like walking, running or hiking, as long as they practice social distancing.
Read the full list of exemptions here.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said they don’t use just one factor to decide whether to issue a stay-at-home order.
“We look at the number of cases in that county, but also in contiguous counties. We look at the rate of change in terms of new cases, but then we also consult with the county commissioners or the county health authorities about what they’re seeing in their counties,” Levine said.
Ultimately, the governor decides whether to issue the stay-at-home order.
In order to increase capacity to deal with COVID-19 cases, the governor has issued temporary license waivers to allow retired medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to work in Pennsylvania. He’s also allowing medical professionals with licenses for other states to practice here. And he’s expanded telemedicine.
Cameron, McKean and Huntingdon Counties all saw their first confirmed cases Saturday.
