The following is the latest COVID-19 information from the state government as 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9.
Governor Wolf
Governor Wolf has tested positive for COVID-19. It was diagnosed in a routine test and he is quarantining at home. See a news release from the governor’s office with further information.
Department of Health
The Department of Health has issued guidance to hospitals on how to identify and report COVID-19 outbreaks originating within the facility. The department wants this guidance to be used to supplement other relevant guidance documents and to guide the implementation of public health expectations for hospitals.
Key messages included in the guidance:
- COVID-19 surveillance procedures must be outlined via written policy and implemented in a way that can systematically identify clusters.
- Outbreak Definition:
- ≥2 cases of confirmed COVID-19 in a patient seven or more days after admission for a non-COVID condition, with epi-linkage; or
- ≥3 cases of confirmed COVID-19 in HCP with epi-linkage AND no other more likely sources of exposure for at least two of the cases.
- Outbreaks fitting the definition outlined in this advisory must be reported through the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System (PA-PSRS) as an infrastructure failure. This does not replace reporting of COVID-19 cases or capacity data in other state or federal systems.
Resources to Consult
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention