Wolf says ‘tough decisions’ paying off as Pennsylvania’s COVID numbers improve

Pennsylvania’s rate of positive COVID-19 tests has fallen to 4.1% and the seven-day increase in new cases is substantially lower compared to the previous week, Gov. Tom Wolf said Friday.

“The decreased case counts across the state, and in many counties this week, indicate that the tough decisions we have had to make are protecting Pennsylvanians,” he said.

The 4.1% rate of positive tests is down from 4.6% during the seven days that ended last Thursday. Experts say a rate of 5% or less shows the rate of infections is declining.

During the seven days ending Aug. 6, Pennsylvania registered 5,016 new infections, down from 6,228 new infections during the previous seven days. The numbers are highlighted in Pennsylvania’s early warning dashboard, which is updated every Friday.

Wolf said the improved numbers “reflect the willingness of Pennsylvanians to take steps to protect themselves and their neighbors. We must continue to wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid large gathering to keep our numbers low, which will stop the spread and allow more freedom.”

Still, the health department on Friday said these counties still have positive test rates which are cause for concern:

Union (11.8%), Indiana (7.9%), Fayette (7.7%), Fulton (7.4%), Huntingdon (6.7%), Erie (6.2%), Mercer (6.2%), Lawrence (6.0%), Northumberland (6.0%), York (5.8%), Clearfield (5.7%), Luzerne (5.4%), Juniata (5.3%), Lancaster (5.3%), Beaver (5.2%), Delaware (5.2%), and Mifflin (5.0%).

Pennsylvania on Friday also added Nebraska, North Dakota and Wisconsin to the list of states from which returning Pennsylvanians are advised to quarantine for 14 days.

The full list of states now includes:

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Iowa

Kansas

Louisiana

Mississippi

Missouri

Nebraska

Nevada

North Carolina

North Dakota

Oklahoma

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Wisconsin

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