Cases Climb in PA as State Urges Businesses to Visit New Portal

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According to Dr. Rachel Levine, as of midnight on April 6, there have been 1,470 new cases of COVID-19, with 12,980 total cases statewide in 65 counties. So far, there have been no cases in Elk County (St. Marys, PA) or Jefferson County (Punxsutawney, PA). There have been 598 cases documented in healthcare workers, and 519 cases in longterm care living facilities. There have been 162 deaths due to COVID-19, all in adult patients. 

At this moment, 1,613 patients are currently hospitalized, which is 12% of the current case count. 533 of those patients required the use of ventilators or breathing machines.

As they took to the podium, both Levine and Governor Tom Wolf were wearing a mask. They removed the masks before they spoke. Wolf, normally joining in from home throughout previous weeks, was present on stage for today's address.

"We're continuing to see a growth in the cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania," Wolf said, reiterating Levine's statements. "The surge is coming," he warned. "The when and how bad that surge really depends on all of us and what we do."

On Saturday, April 4, the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal was created. This online resource is operational, according to their website, in order "to mobilize manufacturers that can produce critical medical supplies and products in response to the COVID-19 pandemic."

"I'm not sure that any Pennsylvania company can produce the ventilators we need as rapidly as we need, but many can rapidly produce components of ventilators," Wolf noted. "Like plastic piping. We have that capability within Pennsylvania, right here" he continued.

With Erie's place as a manufacturing hub, particularly when it comes to plastics, there are many businesses that will no doubt continue to take part in these efforts.

Wolf urged all employers to visit the new portal – also accessible through the easier-to-remember URL dced.pa.gov, as many manufacturing businesses are able to pivot in their production.

The portal was created in conjunction with Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association, The Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council, the Hospital and Health System Organization of Pennsylvania, The Industrial Resource Center, Network, The Pennsylvania Life Sciences Greenhouse, and the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. 

Nick Warren can be reached nick@eriereader.com