Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Health has announced a strengthening of the state’s current mask order to slow the spread of the virus.
According to Dr. Rachel Levine, current projections predict that the state will run out of available intensive care unit beds next month.
As a result, the PA Department of Health has directed health care facilities to start planning for a reduction in elective procedures to reduce possible strain on the system.
The DOH has also issued an order that takes effect on Friday that anyone who visits Pennsylvania from out of state must test negative for COVID within 72 hours or quarantine for two weeks. This requirement does not apply to people who commute to and from another state for work or medical treatment but it does apply to Pennsylvania residents who are returning home from out of state.
The DOH has joined with the Department of Education to issue recommendations for colleges and universities to develop and implement testing strategies to prevent outbreaks among students.
Levine emphasized that these orders are a requirements for residents to follow and not advice or a recommendation.
