Pennsylvania bans restaurants and bars from serving alcohol after 5pm the night before Thanksgiving to prevent 'large crowds' from gathering as health officials warn ICUs could run out of space by next week
Pennsylvania will ban restaurants and bars from serving alcohol after 5pm the night before Thanksgiving in a bid to prevent crowds from gathering as health officials warn the state could run out of ICU beds by next month.
Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr Rachel Levine announced the new measures on Monday after modeling projected 22,000 new COVID-19 cases per day across the state by next month.
The number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths have been surging across the state since last month with Pennsylvania recording a total of 314,000 infections and 9,800 deaths.
The number of deaths in Pennsylvania has quadrupled in the last week and the average daily case count is now seven times higher than it was just two months ago.
Pennsylvania will ban restaurants and bars from serving alcohol after 5pm the night before Thanksgiving in a bid to prevent crowds from gathering as cases, hospitalizations and deaths surge across the state
The number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths have been surging across the state since last month with Pennsylvania recording a total of 314,000 infections and 9,800 deaths
The University of Washington's Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation has projected that Pennsylvania will run out of intensive care beds in December if that rate of hospitalizations and cases continues.
Governor Tom Wolf announced the new measures on Monday after modeling projected 22,000 new COVID-19 cases per day across the state by next month
The IHME's modeling also projects that if mitigation efforts are not adhered to, Pennsylvania could have more than 32,000 deaths from COVID-19 in the next three months. Those deaths could be reduced by half if the majority of people wearing masks.
'As our hospitals and health care system are facing greater strain, we need to redouble our efforts to keep people safe,' Gov Wolf said.
'If our health care system is compromised, it isn't only COVID-19 patients who will suffer. If we run out of hospital beds, or if hospital staff are over-worked to the breaking point, care will suffer for every patient – including those who need emergency care for illnesses, accidents, or chronic conditions unrelated to COVID-19.'
Under the new restrictions, bars, restaurants and private catered events must end alcohol sales for on-site consumption at 5pm on Wednesday.
The state currently has 18 percent of ICU beds available. The University of Washington's Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation has projected that Pennsylvania will run out of intensive care beds in December if that rate of hospitalizations and cases continues
PROJECTED DEATHS: The IHME's modeling projects that if mitigation efforts are not adhered to, Pennsylvania could have close to 400 deaths per day. Those deaths could be reduced by half if the majority of people wearing masks
PROJECTED CASES: The IHME modeling has projected 22,000 new COVID-19 cases per day across the state by next month if current measures continue
The size of all indoor and outdoor events and gatherings has also been reduced. There is No events over 500 people
Telework is mandatory unless impossible and online sales and curbside pickup for all shopping is encouraged.
The governor and health officials are also urging all Pennsylvanians to limit unnecessary travel and keep gatherings held in homes to members of the same household.
'As Pennsylvanians, we have a responsibility to one another, to do what we can to protect each other and preserve the life we all love in this commonwealth,' Gov Wolf said.
'For those who refuse to do their part to protect their neighbors and communities and refuse to accept that their actions have consequences that cause pain and suffering for others, we will be stepping up enforcement of all of the public health orders Dr Levine and I have put in place.
'We are in a very dangerous situation and we need to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19 right now because if we give in to the virus, we will lose many more Pennsylvanians. And that is unacceptable.'
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