Coronavirus Latest: More Than 250 COVID-19 Cases Reported In Philadelphia As Statewide Total Rises To 930
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There are now more than 250 coronavirus cases in Philadelphia as the statewide total rose to 930. Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley revealed 77 additional COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the city total to 252.
On Tuesday evening, SEPTA officials announced that an employee who works at the headquarters building tested positive for COVID-19. According to SEPTA, the employee does not work in a customer-facing job.
The employee last worked on Thursday, March 19. SEPTA supervisors have notified the employee's co-workers about the situation and of any potential exposure.
The South Philadelphia testing site will be closed Wednesday due to a poor weather forecast.
In Pennsylvania, there are 930 cases in 40 counties after 207 new cases were reported.
Four more people have died from the virus in the commonwealth, bringing the death toll to seven.
"Our notable increase in cases over the past few days indicate we need everyone to take COVID-19 seriously," Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said. "Pennsylvanians have a very important job right now: stay calm, stay home and stay safe. We have seen case counts continue to increase and the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home."
More than 8,600 patients have tested negative for COVID-19 in Pennsylvania.
During a Tuesday press conference, Levine says there is an urgent request for blood donations.
"As we prepare for a surge in hospitalizations, we know blood donations are vital," Levine said, adding that Pennsylvanians can also donate to food banks to help during the pandemic.
The latest numbers come a day after Gov. Tom Wolf issued a stay-at-home order for Philadelphia and its surrounding counties, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties.
The stay-at-home order will last two weeks for these counties and went into effect at 8 p.m. Monday.
Wolf also extended school closures in the state for two more weeks, through at least April 6.
