Coronavirus Pennsylvania: Gov. Wolf Creating Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps To Increase Testing, Contact Tracing As Cases Near 52,000
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) -- Gov. Tom Wolf is creating the Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps to help Pennsylvania reopen the economy and recover from the virus. This comes as health officials reported Wednesday 888 new cases, bringing the statewide total to 51,845.
The health department also announced 94 additional deaths, raising the state's death toll to 3,106.
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"As we prepare to move a number of counties from red to yellow, we need all Pennsylvanians to continue to follow the social distancing and mitigation efforts in place," Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said. "We must continue to protect our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, which includes our seniors, those with underlying health issues, our health care workers and our first responders. I am proud of the work that Pennsylvanians have done so far, but we cannot stop now, we must continue to take the necessary steps to protect ourselves from COVID-19."
The Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps is a "public service initiative that will support efforts this fall to increase testing and contact tracing and provide critical new job opportunities in the public health sector."
"Our highest priority remains protecting public health and safety, but we must also look ahead to see how we can address future needs. To reopen our economy to its maximum potential, we will need to boost our ability to contain this highly transmissible virus," Wolf said. "The Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps will serve as a public service program that will expand our ability to conduct contact tracing and testing and mobilize Pennsylvanians to contain COVID-19."
Twenty-four counties in northwestern and north-central Pennsylvania will have restrictions eased on Friday. About 1.5 million Pennsylvania residents will be able to freely leave their homes, and retail shops and other businesses will be able to reopen.
Stay-at-home orders will be lifted, gatherings of up to 25 people will be allowed, and retail shops can start to reopen, though gyms, barbershops, nail salons, casinos, theaters and other such venues will remain closed and other restrictions will remain in place.
Over 204,000 patients have tested negative for the virus so far.
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