STATE COVID-19 UPDATE - NOVEMBER 12

Last week ended on yet another large report of new COVID-19 cases, with the majority of new Pennsylvania cases continuing to come from more densely-populated counties, though even smaller, less-populated areas are reporting sizable jumps given their smaller populations.

With a rise of more than 53,000 tests, the number of new cases during the latest-reported 7-day period was 18,433, a week-over-week increase of 3,495 cases (when compared to the Oct. 24 through Oct. 30 total of 14,938). Since that time, the DAILY increase in cases has exceeded the previous weekly increases, with the state hitting 5,488 new positive cases on November 12, bringing the statewide total to 248,856. This was the highest daily increase of cases. Approximately 13,202 of our total cases are among health care workers.

The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between November 5 and November 11 is 331,492 with 25,702 positive cases. There were 50,997 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., November 11. This is a record high number of PCR test results reported to the department.

As of 11:59 p.m., Wednesday November 11, there were 49 new deaths reported for a total of 9,194 deaths attributed to COVID-19. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard. The state’s COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard is updated Friday afternoons to indicate week-over-week growth in new cases.

State Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine has continued a schedule of daily press briefings to discus the state’s latest data.

On November 11, there were 2,080 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 438 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. 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.

NURSING AND PERSONAL CARE HOMES

In nursing and personal care homes, on November 12, there were 28,576 resident cases of COVID-19, and 5,972 cases among employees, for a total of 34,548 at 1,132 distinct facilities in 63 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,999 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

The Wolf Administration, has again urged the federal government to reauthorize Title 32 to allow Pennsylvania National Guard members to carry out missions that assist long-term care facilities affected by COVID-19 in Pennsylvania.

Without federal authorization, Pennsylvania would have to consider placing the Pennsylvania National Guard on State Active Duty, which the state would be financially responsible for. Also, federal authorization provides more protection for members of the Pennsylvania National Guard for healthcare and benefits.

A team of state interagency staff is working to assess where outbreaks are occurring and providing resources to these long term care facilities. These resources may include infection control expertise, connection to testing resources, and working to assist stakeholders with questions.

One of the primary resources the administration can offer is support from the Pennsylvania National Guard. The Pa. National Guard can provide staffing support to assist in patient care, as well as providing support services such as preparing meals, cleaning, etc. This work has been invaluable to assist where there are shortages due to COVID-19 to ensure residents are receiving the care they need and deserve. Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard has served the equivalent of 7,351 days as part of the COVID-19 response.

The Wolf Administration has taken a three-pillar approach to protecting the vulnerable residents living in nursing homes and other long-term living settings:

Ensuring resident safety through testing, education and resources;
Preventing and mitigating outbreaks; and
Working in partnership with state agencies, local health departments and long-term care facility operators.

As part of its effort, the Administration has provided long-term care facilities with:

direct support through Regional Response Health Collaborative Programs; Pennsylvania Department of Health’s (DOH’s) Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAI) team; DOH infection control contractor ECRI; the Patient Safety Authority; General Health Resources; and the Pennsylvania National Guard;
personal protective equipment (PPE) regularly to facility operators, as well as education and training on how to safely put it on and take it off;
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) coordinates closely with the DOH as they evaluate various types of support that may be needed at facilities across the commonwealth. Once specific needs are identified, PEMA works with agencies, such as the Pennsylvania National Guard, to provide the support needed as quickly as possible.
Regularly inspecting facilities and responding to every complaint filed with DOH;
Creating rapid response strike teams using the state’s staffing contract with nurses to staff the facilities in need;
Providing virtual mental health services to facilities through the Department of Human Services’ medical reserve corps;

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention teams provided on-site assistance for 13 long-term care facilities using their infection prevention and control expertise and training of U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) teams