Pa. seeing ‘significant community spread’ as fall COVID-19 resurgence continues

State health officials confirmed 9,675 new cases over COVID-19  and 51 new deaths over the weekend, bringing the statewide total to 269,613 cases and 9,325 deaths attributed to COVID-19. 

State Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said Monday that the fall resurgence of COVID-19 is due to more people staying indoors as the weather changes, leading to more spread. 

“We’re seeing significant community spread,” Levine said. “Now is the time people need to come together and wear a mask.”

State officials reported “substantial spread” in 59 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Those included: 

Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Tioga, Union, Venango, Washington, Westmoreland, Wyoming and York counties.

Another five counties were in the “moderate spread” category. Those include: Fayette, Pike, Susquehanna, Warren and Wayne counties. 

Just three counties had “low transmission.” Those include: Cameron, Forest and Sullivan counties. 

Discouraging travel over the holidays, state health officials have asked Pennsylvanians to remain in their households over the holidays and visit with extended family virtually. 

“I know that’s an enormous sacrifice,” Levine said, adding that asymptomatic individuals could cause spreading in gatherings of any size without knowing it. 

Levine also discouraged travel to and from neighboring states such as New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Delaware and Maryland  “We are concerned about travel-related spread of COVID-19,” Levine said.