­

Department of Health: Testing for Sickle Cell Disease is Important and Treatment is Available

Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today reminded Pennsylvanians of the seriousness of sickle cell disease and the importance of getting tested for it. Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disease.

“We want people to get tested for sickle cell disease if they believe they could be a carrier of it,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We inherit traits from our parents like eye and hair color, but they also pass along internal traits like blood type and sickle cell conditions. It is important to be tested to confirm if you have sickle cell disease, so that treatment for the disease can be started right away to further protect yourself and your family.”

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disease where an individual’s red blood cells take a crescent or sickle shape. This change in shape can create blockages that prevent blood from reaching parts of the body. As a result, people with sickle cell complications can experience anemia, gallstones, stroke, chronic pain, organ damage and even premature death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sickle cell disease affects approximately 100,000 Americans. This disease has a greater influence on African American and Hispanic populations but is also found among many other races and ethnicities.

Sickle cell disease is one of the 10 mandatory diseases screened for newborns. These screenings are conducted with the goal of eliminating or reducing death, disease and disability in newborn children. In addition, sickle cell disease can be diagnosed before birth to provide an early diagnosis and find treatment.

Treatment can help those with sickle cell disease live well and be healthy, but there is ultimately no cure for sickle cell disease. Treatment requires:

  • Finding good medical care and getting regular checkups;
  • Staying up to date on vaccinations and washing hands frequently to prevent infections;
  • Learning healthy habits;
  • Looking into clinical studies; and
  • Finding support and assistance.

Studies have shown that donated bone marrow or stem cell transplants have helped cure sickle cell disease in children with severe cases of the disease. This means that the healthy donated bone marrow or stem cell transplant replaces an individual’s bone marrow that is not working properly. Bone marrow or stem cell transplants can be risky and for the donation to work the individual would need to be a close match like a brother or sister.

The Wolf administration has developed a prescribing guideline for the treatment of acute and chronic pain in patients with sickle cell disease to assist physicians treating patients with the disease. The guideline provides best practices to treat acute painful crises that occur with sickle cell disease patients as well as best practices for chronic pain care. The sickle cell disease guideline addresses the specific needs of that patient population. This can help prevent the misapplication of recommendations to populations that are outside the scope of other prescribing guidelines, including patients experiencing acute sickle cell crises. It is especially important to have resources specifically for the treatment of sickle cell disease patients as this patient population often experiences racial disparities and stigma.

More information on sickle cell disease can be found on the Department of Health’s website at www.health.pa.gov or follow us on  Facebook and Twitter.

September 19, 2020 – Department of Health Report

Six (6) new cases added Saturay in Lycoming County now at 623 cases and 23 total deaths, with 12,409 negatives according to DOH report.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19,

1,162 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 149,845

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 19, that there were 1,162 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 149,845. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between September 12 and September 18 is 175,962 with 5,798 positive cases. There were 28,985 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 18. These results represent the total number of tests administered.

There are 7,956 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 22 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

“We know that congregation, especially in college and university settings, yields increased case counts. The mitigation efforts in place now are essential to flattening the curve and saving lives,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and following the requirements set forth in the orders for bars and restaurants, gatherings, and telework will help keep our case counts low. Together, as Pennsylvanians, all of our efforts are designed to support our communities to ensure that cases of COVID-19 remain low.”

Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Beginning August 29, the department began publishing COVID-19 case counts using the updated standardized case definition for COVID-19 from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. This revised case definition updates criteria for case identification and case classification based on the continued evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. It updates probable case classifications and adds suspect case classifications. The definition for confirmed cases using a positive PCR test has not changed. Viral antigen tests, which identify people who are likely currently infected, will now be considered a probable case, even if the individual has no symptoms or exposure history. Persons with a positive antibody (serology) test, moving forward, will no longer be considered a probable case. However, cases previously counted as probable cases, using the prior national case definition, will remain counted as probable cases.

There are 267 cases who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 645 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.

There are 1,746,280 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

  • Approximately 1% are ages 0-4;
  • Nearly 2% are ages 5-12;
  • Approximately 4% are ages 13-18;
  • Nearly 13% are ages 19-24;
  • Approximately 36% are ages 25-49;
  • Nearly 22% are ages 50-64; and
  • Approximately 22% are ages 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

The department is seeing significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics, as there are more cases in younger age groups than in those 50-64 and 65+. The following regions saw significant increases among 19 to 24-year-olds in each month from April to date in September:

  • NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 70 percent of cases so far in September;
  • NE – 6 percent of cases in April to approximately 39 percent of cases so far in September;
  • SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to approximately 31 percent of cases so far in September;
  • SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to approximately 28 percent of cases so far in September;
  • NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 18 percent of cases so far in September; and
  • SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 17 percent of cases so far in September.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 22,277 resident cases of COVID-19, and 4,869 cases among employees, for a total of 27,146 at 958 distinct facilities in 61 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,354 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 10,334 of our total cases are among health care workers.

For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.

Currently, all 67 counties are in the green phase of reopening.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, Sept. 18:

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean surfaces frequently.
  • Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
  • If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

Gov. Wolf Orders Flags to Half-Staff to Honor Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Harrisburg, Pa. – In honor of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Governor Tom Wolf has ordered all United States and Commonwealth flags on the Capitol Complex and Commonwealth facilities throughout the state lowered to half-staff at sunrise on Saturday, September 19, 2020.

“Justice Ginsburg was a truly remarkable figure in American history, as both a tireless defender of the Constitution, and as a pioneer for gender equality,” said Gov. Wolf. “Justice Ginsburg’s historic opinions from the bench broke down barriers for women and protected the vulnerable. Her contributions to our country cannot be overstated.”

The United States Flag shall be lowered to half-staff and remain lowered until interment by orders from the White House. The Commonwealth flag has flown at half-staff since Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in honor of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic and should continue to fly at half-staff until further notice.

All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute.

Wolf Administration Joins Rail Safety Operation Aimed at Reducing Preventable Deaths and Injuries on Rail Lines

 

HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Office of State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) are proud to be joining forces with the first responder community throughout the U.S. and Canada today for “Operation Clear Track” — the single largest rail-safety initiative in North America.

“Far too often, our agency receives information from local responders about another injury or death near railway infrastructure in the Commonwealth,” PEMA Director Randy Padfield said. “This important effort to bring awareness to the dangers posed to the public in close proximity to rail lines will save lives.”

Coordinated by Amtrak, Operation Lifesaver Inc., and Operation Lifesaver Canada, Operation Clear Track aims to reduce the number of railway crossing and trespassing incidents in the U.S. and Canada — incidents which seriously injure or kill more than 2,100 people each year. The event is held during the annual observance of Rail Safety Week September 21-27.  At least 39 incidents involving rail traffic have occurred in the Commonwealth so far this year; 24 of these have occurred at rail crossings.

“Operation Clear Track and Rail Safety Week are promoting a needed and important lesson that we want our citizens to fully understand,” State Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego added. “We know the most common incidents involve rail crossings and are almost always easily avoidable.”

“With more than 5,600 miles of track and the highest number of operating railroads in the country, rail safety is of utmost importance in Pennsylvania,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to be safe around rail crossings and railroad rights-of-way, and we’re proud to join our partners to commemorate Rail Safety Week.”

These safety tips and other railroad safety information available through Operation Lifesaver can help you stay safe around Pennsylvania’s railroads.

  • Never drive around lowered gates — it is illegal and can be deadly.
  • Never race a train to the crossing.
  • Do not get trapped on the tracks. Only proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember, the train is 3 feet wider than the tracks on both sides.
  • If your vehicle ever stalls on a track while a train is coming, get out immediately and move quickly away from the tracks in the direction from which the train is coming.
  • At a multiple track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching in either direction.
  • Always expect a train! Freight trains do not follow set schedules.
  • Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly.
  • Do not be fooled — the train you see is closer and moving faster than you think.
  • When you need to cross train tracks, go to a designated crossing, look both ways, and cross the tracks quickly, without stopping.
  • Cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings.
  • Never walk down a train track; this too is illegal and can be deadly.
  • Remember: Rails and recreation do not mix!

Because of the ongoing pandemic, first responder agencies will be participating in a virtual Operation Clear Track event this year. These agencies across North America will be promoting rail safety through social media messages, by sharing Operation Lifesaver’s #STOPTrackTragedies public service announcements and other videos, and by posting other rail safety information to their department websites. Participants will also be emphasizing the importance of obeying rail crossing and trespassing laws throughout Rail Safety Week.

For more information about Rail Safety Week, Operation Clear Track, and other rail-safety initiatives and tips, please visit www.oli.org.

Gov. and First Lady Wolf Offer Condolences on the Loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Harrisburg, Pa. – Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf released the following statement following the loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:

“Frances and I offer our sincerest condolences to the family of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Justice Ginsburg was a truly remarkable figure in American history, as both a tireless defender of the Constitution, and as a pioneer for gender equality. Justice Ginsburg’s historic opinions from the bench broke down barriers for women and protected the vulnerable.

“Her contributions to our country cannot be overstated. Justice Ginsburg’s life and career have made America a more fair and equitable place. She was a tireless pioneer and made monumental and lasting contributions on issues such as gender equality, a woman’s right to choose, voting rights, immigration, health care and affirmative action. Justice Ginsburg never shied away from standing out by standing up for civil rights and equal protections.

“We join the country in mourning the passing of Justice Ginsburg.”

Congressman Keller offers comment on passing of Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg

Congressman Fred Keller offered the following upon learning of the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ginsberg.

“Saddened to hear of the loss of Justice Ginsburg. For decades, she served our nation with distinction and honor. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.”

Loyalsock School District confirms positive case of Coronavirus

Official Statement from Loyalsock Superintendent Jerry McLaughlin:
This is Jerry McLaughlin, Superintendent of the Loyalsock Township School District. We are contacting you in accordance with our Health and Safety Plan.
The District was recently notified of a positive case of Coronavirus. This message is to make you aware that the school district is actively responding to a positive case of Coronavirus of a high school teacher.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has been notified and they are performing an investigation which will include contract tracing. We will update you as soon as we receive additional information from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Thank you.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has died at the age of 87

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has died at the age of 87.

The following statement was released by the Supreme Court:
Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died this evening surrounded by her family at her home in Washington, D.C., due to complications of metastatic pancreas cancer. She was 87 years old.
Justice Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Clinton in 1993. She was the second woman appointed to the Court and served more than 27 years. She is survived by her two children: Jane Carol Ginsburg (George Spera) and James Steven Ginsburg (Patrice Michaels), four grandchildren: Paul Spera (Francesca Toich), Clara Spera (Rory Boyd), Miranda Ginsburg, Abigail Ginsburg, two step-grandchildren: Harjinder Bedi, Satinder Bedi, and one greatgrandchild: Lucrezia Spera. Her husband, Martin David Ginsburg, died in 2010.
Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. said of Justice Ginsburg: “Our Nation has lost a jurist of historic stature. We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague. Today we mourn, but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her — a tireless and resolute champion of justice.”
Justice Ginsburg was born in Brooklyn, New York, March 15, 1933. She married Martin D. Ginsburg in 1954. She received her B.A. from Cornell University, attended Harvard Law School, and received her LL.B. from Columbia Law School.
She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Edmund L. Palmieri, Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, from 1959–1961. From 1961–1963, she was a research associate and then associate director of the Columbia Law School Project on International Procedure. She was a Professor of Law at Rutgers University School of Law from 1963–1972, and Columbia Law School from 1972–1980, and a fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences in Stanford, California from 1977–1978.
In 1971, she was instrumental in launching the Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union, and served as the ACLU’s General Counsel from 1973–1980, and on the National Board of Directors from 1974–1980.
She was appointed a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1980. During her more than 40 years as a Judge and a Justice, she was served by 159 law clerks.
While on the Court, the Justice authored My Own Words (2016), a compilation of her speeches and writings.
A private interment service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery.

Pennsylvania First Lady Frances Wolf Sends Letter to Federal Government Urging for the Continuation of Child Nutrition Programs


The letter received bipartisan support from 17 other first spouses across the country

Harrisburg, PA – First Lady Frances Wolf and 17 other First Spouses and Partners sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Congressional Leadership, urging both federal entities to continue to work together to further extend and fully fund child nutrition program operations throughout the entire 2020-21 school year. The letter was also signed by:

  • First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California
  • First Gentleman Marlon Reis, Colorado
  • First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney, Delaware
  • First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige, Hawaii
  • First Lady MK Pritzker, Illinois
  • First Gentleman Dr. Ted Daughety, Kansas
  • First Lady Britainy Beshear, Kentucky
  • First Lady Lauren Baker, Massachusetts
  • First Lady Gwen Walz, Minnesota
  • First Lady Lisa Bullock, Montana
  • First Lady Tammy Snyder Murphy, New Jersey
  • First Lady Kristin Cooper, North Carolina
  • First Gentleman Andy Moffit, Rhode Island
  • First Lady Pamela Northam, Virginia
  • First Lady Trudi Inslee, Washington
  • First Lady Kathy Evers, Wisconsin
  • First Lady Jennie Gordon, Wyoming

Together, the signatories represent over 30 million children across the country.

“Hunger is not a partisan issue; it is everyone’s issue. When we look at how many other state leaders were willing to put their names on the dotted line, we get a glimpse of how many other children and families are struggling to get food,” stated First Lady Wolf. “We understand that the parties we have written to have taken steps to continue these feeding programs, and we thank them for their effort. However, as we cannot see the end of the pandemic, when families financial situations will be back to normal, or when our education system will stabilize, it is imperative that we plan to assist our residents for as long as we can.”

In late August, the USDA announced the extension of nationwide waivers that allow schools and community partners to continue serving meals to all children at no charge until the available funding runs out, or as late as December 31, 2020.

While the actions of the USDA throughout the pandemic, including this most recent motion, have helped tremendously with feeding children and families across the nation, recent food insecurity statistics remain alarming. According to Feeding America research, more than 54 million people, including 18 million children, may experience food insecurity this year, marking a 46 percent increase in general food insecurity rates and a 64 percent increase in child food insecurity rates compared to pre-COVID-19 statistics.

Without Congressional action, the USDA’s authority to extend school feeding waivers and other crucial feeding programs will sunset on September 30, 2020, leaving families, schools, and community partners without the tools and resources they need to feed kids during this pandemic.

Share Our Strength, an organization that works to end hunger and poverty in  the United States and abroad through campaigns like No Kid Hungry, has also been advocating for the extension of these critical waivers alongside more than 1,300 national and state-based organizations working to feed children and their families.

“Schools and community organizations need child nutrition waivers extended through the end of the academic year so they can plan and prepare their meal programs. And, with anywhere from 14 million to 17 million children not getting the food they need because of the pandemic, kids need the certainty of a nutritious meal,” says Lisa Davis, Senior Vice President of Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. “Our nation’s First Spouses and Partners, who are fierce champions for children in their states, understand the scope of the hunger crisis this pandemic has caused in their communities. They know that extending child nutrition waivers through the entire 2020-2021 school year is critical to getting our nation back on the path to ending hunger.”

View the full text of the letter to Sec. Perdue and the USDA.

View the full text of the letter to Congressional Leadership.

State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement September 16-17: 549 Compliance Checks; 11 Warnings

 
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 549 licensed liquor establishments from Wednesday, September 16 through Thursday, September 17 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include social distancing, masking, and other health and safety requirements of the liquor code.
Liquor Control Enforcement Officers issued two notices of violation and 11 warnings for failing to follow COVID-19 requirements. As mandated by the liquor code, a notice of violation precedes the issuance of an administrative citation, which is civil in nature, and is intended to provide licensed liquor establishments notification of the nature of violation(s) discovered. The investigation remains open during this period, pending review by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE). Because the investigation is ongoing, names of establishments issued a notice of violation will not be released at this time. Each BLCE district office posts a monthly public information release that includes details on citations issued by that office.
Compliance checks are unannounced and can occur anywhere in the commonwealth, although the focus is on areas experiencing higher coronavirus transmission rates. Among other requirements, all businesses and employees in the restaurant and retail food service industry authorized to conduct in-person activities are mandated to:
  • Require all customers to wear masks while entering, exiting or otherwise traveling throughout the restaurant or retail food service business (face masks may be removed while seated). Further, employees are required to wear masks at all times.
  • Provide at least six feet between parties at tables or physical barriers between customers where booths are arranged back to back.
  • Ensure maximum occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor areas are posted and enforced.
Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement | September 16-17, 2020
​TOTAL LICENSEE CHECKS
WARNINGS RELATED TO COVID-19 MITIGATION EFFORTS
NOTICES OF VIOLATION RELATED TO COVID-19 MITIGATION EFFORTS
1-Philadelphia
​121
1
0
2-Wilkes-Barre
121
2
0
3-Harrisburg
1
1
0
4-Pittsburgh
95
1
1
5-Altoona
84
1
1
6-Williamsport
56
0
0
7-Punxsutawney
16
1
0
8-Erie
50
3
0
9-Allentown
5
1
0
TOTALS
549
11
2
Violators may face administrative citation by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. Continued violations put an establishment’s liquor license at risk, either through the citation process or upon application for renewal. More information is available on the enforcement page of the state police COVID-19 portal.
Complaints regarding licensees not complying with COVID-19 mitigation mandates may be directed to the BLCE at 1-800-932-0602 or reported through the BLCE’s online complaint form.