Gov. Wolf Signs Coronavirus Disaster Declaration To Support State Response

In March 6, Gov. Tom Wolf signed an emergency disaster declaration to provide increased support to state agencies involved in the response to the coronavirus.

Gov. Wolf also confirmed the first two presumptive positive cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Pennsylvania in Delaware and Wayne counties and reminded residents that the Commonwealth is prepared to respond to community spread of this virus.  Read more here.

“It’s imperative that we continue to respond quickly and accurately to the coronavirus and its introduction into Pennsylvania,” Gov. Wolf said. “First and foremost, we want all Pennsylvanians to be safe and remain healthy and follow the practical advice of the Department of Health on ways to protect yourself from any virus and that’s by washing hands, covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough and staying home if you are sick.

“It is critical to prepare for and respond to suspected or confirmed cases in the commonwealth and to implement measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The disaster declaration is an additional way we can be prepared, so I authorized the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director or his designee, to assume command and control of all statewide emergency operations and authorize and direct that all commonwealth departments and agencies use all available resources and personnel as is deemed necessary to cope with this emergency situation.”

The disaster declaration follows the Department of Health’s activation of its Department Operations Center at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency’s headquarters to conduct public health and medical coordination for COVID-19 throughout the Commonwealth and the Governor’s announcement earlier this morning about two presumptive positive cases in Pennsylvania. 

In addition to the emergency disaster declaration to date the Wolf Administration has:

-- Activated of the Department of Health’s Emergency Operations Center to allow for enhanced response coordination;

-- Began testing for COVID-19 at the state laboratory;

-- Maintained communication and outreach with federal, state and local partners;

-- Provided symptom monitoring for residents returning from areas impacted by coronavirus;

-- Provided health care providers, businesses and education providers with information;

-- Reviewed and adapted current pandemic flu plans to prepare for spread of COVID-19;

-- Increased testing capacity to test 20 to 25 individuals daily;

-- Purchased equipment to increase testing capacity to 125 to 150 individuals within a day.

-- Partially activated the Commonwealth Response Coordination Center at PEMA.

Click Here for a copy of the declaration.

For more information, visit the Department of Health’s 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage, Follow them on Twitter, or Like them on Facebook. 

NewsClips:

AP-Marc Levy: Pennsylvania Now Has 2 Confirmed Cases of Coronavirus

Micek: Pennsylvania Has 2 Presumed Cases of Coronavirus
Ford Turner: First 2 Coronavirus Cases In PA, Wolf Issues Disaster Declaration
Wolf Declares Disaster Over Coronavirus, Presumed Case In Delaware County
Gov. Wolf Signs Disaster Declaration To Aid Response To Coronavirus
PA Coronavirus Cases Quarantined At Home, State Sees No Need For Guards
Health Secretary: Don’t Fear The Bill For Coronavirus Testing
Jan Murphy: People With Coronavirus Symptoms Told To Stay Home, But That Means Financial Jeopardy For Many

Central Bucks School District Closes 5 Schools Due To Reported Coronavirus Exposure

2 Steel Valley School Employees In Allegheny County Told To Self-Insolate After Traveling

Related Article:

Gov. Wolf Confirms 2 Presumptive Cases Of Coronavirus In Delaware, Wayne Counties

[Posted: March 6, 2020]