News · Posted March 26, 2020
COVID-19 Reports (March 26, 2020)
• Municipal Declarations COVID-19 Schuylkill County (As of 3/26/2020)
• Pennsylvania Department of Health - COVID-19 Situation Report
• Pennsylvania Department of Health - COVID-19 Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Attachment: Municipal Declarations COVID-19 Schuylkill County (As of 3/26/2020)
Municipal Declarations COVID-19Schuylkill CountyAs of 3/26/2020
1. Coaldale Borough 3-20-2020
2. Frackville Borough 3-19-2020
3. Girardville Borough 3-20-2020
4. Gordon Borough 3-23-20
5. Hegins Township 3-19-2020
6. Mahanoy City 3-20-2020
7. McAdoo Borough 3-24-2020
8. Mechanicsville Borough 3-15-2020
9. New Philadelphia Borough 3-24-2020
10. Orwigsburg Borough 3-24-2020
11. Palo Alto Borough 3-22-2020
12. Port Carbon Borough 3-22-2020
13. Saint Clair Borough 3-19-2020 Renewed
14. Tamaqua Borough 3-20-2020
15. Tremont Borough 3-22-2020
16. West Mahanoy Township 3-23-2020
17. Wayne Township 3-26-2020
Attachment: Pennsylvania Department of Health - COVID-19 Situation Report
TLP: GREENSITUATION REPORT INCIDENT OPERATIONAL PERIOD REPORTING UNIT FORMExternal COVID-19 START: 03/25/20 0800 PADOH ICS 209 - ShortEND: 03/25/20 1800CLEARED FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
CURRENT SITUATIONThe World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020.PADOH continues coordination efforts with FEMA, PEMA, and other state agencies through the DepartmentOperations Center (DOC) to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.Currently, there are 1,687 positive cases and 16 deaths in Pennsylvania.As of 1800 on March 26, 2020, there were 82,404 cases in the U.S, and 526,044 worldwide. There have been 1,178 deaths in the U.S. and 23,709 throughout the world.Epidemiological investigations and contact tracing continue throughout the state to determine potential exposure of additional persons. The PA state lab has increased capacity to account for the testing surge. Commercial and medical system labs are on line and testing for COVID-19.Governor Wolf ordered statewide school closings beginning March 16, 2020. On March 19th, Governor Wolf ordered all non-life sustaining business to close. As of March 25, 2020, Governor Wolf issued stay-at-home orders for 10 counties, including the entire southeast region of the Commonwealth.On March 25, 2020, PA Legislature passed $50 million in funding to help aid the health care system in providing more medical equipment and supplies and to meet urgent needs of patients and staff.* Data sources: WHO, CDC, ECDC, NHC and DXY and local media reportsCLEARED FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION TLP: GREENTLP: GREEN
ACCOMPLISHMENTS• DOH State Lab is currently testing specimens for SARS-CoV-2• Continuous contact tracing conducted alongside necessary interviews for at risk contacts• Set up to receive results from commercial labs• Delaware and Montgomery County Medical Reserve Corps activated• Participated in joint planning meetings with PEMA on public health missions• Communicated with Red Cross and Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank to ensure NPI and safety measures are in place• Delivery of resources ongoing• DOH and PEMA established Operational Synch Matrix process• DOH website has been redone to provide easily accessible information and updates• BOL testing – no backlog• Discussed with PEMA and DHS possible registration website options for future testing sites• Took part in Sheltering Taskforce call and answered concerns about Mass Care NPI guidance• Medical surge planning conducted, and CSC guidance released• DCED portal for critical medical supply procurement went live
CHALLENGES• National guidance is evolving. Keep partners informed as it changes• Assessing supply chain issues• Addressing PPE issues
PLANNED ACTIVITIES (NEXT 24 – 72 HOURS)• Continue development of COVID-19 Response & Mitigation Plan• Develop mitigation guidelines for schools and other targeted groups• Conduct daily executive briefings• Continue/Enhance Joint Information Center in coordination with agency partners.• Coordinate GIS Data and layers of information for dashboard, in conjunction with PEMA• Release new LTC guidance for respiratory outbreak reporting• Healthcare Coordination calls held weekly on Monday• County and Municipal Health Department calls held weekly, as needed• Coordinate messaging and information requests from state agencies• Disseminate a health alert (HAN) on updated CDC guidance as necessary• Briefings for external stakeholders ongoing• Continue local and regional planning support efforts with partner state agencies.• Continue development of media campaign to improve general public awareness
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION• Coronavirus informational webpage on PA DOH website live here• Public inquiry resource account: RA-DHCOVIDQUESTIONS@pa.govCLEARED FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION TLP: GREEN
Attachment: Pennsylvania Department of Health - COVID-19 Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
COVID-19 GUIDANCE ON PERSONALPROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
BACKGROUNDPersonal protective equipment (PPE) is any type of specialized clothing, barrier product, or breathing device used to protect workers from serious injuries or illnesses while doing their jobs. These include gloves (vinyl, latex or nitrile); gowns; shoe and head covers; mask or respirators (N95 respirator); and other face and eye protection (goggles or a face shield).
WHO NEEDS PPE?Healthcare professionals and patients with confirmed or possible COVID-19 infection need PPE.
WHO DOES NOT NEED PPE?The general public does not need PPE. The CDC and Department of Health recommend following everyday preventative actions, such as washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when you are sick.
HOW CAN I REQUEST PPE?Medical facilities that critically need supplies and that are testing, treating or transporting those with possible or confirmed COVID-19 cases can request resources.• All healthcare organizations must first have taken every step possible to get PPE through their traditional sourcing methods and their regional Healthcare Coalition (HCC).• There must be a critical need, meaning that the PPE is required for continued operations, not for future planning initiatives.• Providers should request specific PPE models that align with current facility practice.• If all these criteria are met, then requests may be forwarded through your county EmergencyManagement Agency as a Resource Request.
WHAT IF MY HEALTH CARE FACILITY HAS A CRITICAL NEED FOR PPE?After the traditional supply sources are exhausted and your health care facility is in critical need of PPE for health care professionals, please reach out to your County Emergency Management Agency and submit a Resource Request form. Please note that resource requests should be reserved for critical needs only and requests for preparedness stock or stand-by equipment is discouraged.
RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATIONFollow the CDC’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control RecommendationsStrategies to optimize PPE supply: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/Check-out these steps of safe work practices to protect yourselfFor more information, visit https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx or the CDC websiteContact the Crisis Text Line by texting PA to 741-741.Date Created 3/23/2020 Date Updated: 3/23/2020