Coronavirus update for April 1, 2020. COVID-19-related developments in Pennsylvania as of 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1. To receive this daily update directly, sign up for our mailing list at info@pasafetynet.org.
State Update
Daily Briefing by Secretary of Health Levine and Governor Wolf
The number of new COVID-19 cases yesterday rose 27 percent over the previous day.- All deaths so far are adults.
- 286 health care workers have tested positive for COVID-19 (out of more than 5805 positive tests state-wide).
- Governor Wolf extended his stay-at-home order to the entire state; it will remain in effect through April 30. See the announcement and the secretary of health’s amended order.
Department of Human Services
- DHS’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has published visitation guidelines for residential treatment, including for long-term structured residences, community residential rehabilitation services, residential treatment facilities for adults, and crisis residents.
- DHS has posted a message announcing temporary modifications to the 811 Project Rental Assistance Program.
Critical Medical Supplies Procurement
The state’s departments of General Services, Community and Economic Development, and Health and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency have established a “critical medical supplies procurement portal” on which they list the personal protection equipment and hospital supplies the state seeks to purchase. The target audience for the site is manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers, all of which are invited to contact the Department of General Services if they have any of the supplies the state seeks. The current list consists of the following:
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
- Surgical/Procedure Masks
- N95/N99 Form Fitting Respirators
- Face masks with integrated shield
- Powered Air Purifying Respirator, PAPRs
- Alcohol Based Hand Rub
Hospital Supplies
- Ventilators with PEEP Functionality
- Ventilator Circuits
- Endotracheal Tubes
- Hospital Gowns
Lab Supplies
- UVT 3 mL with flocked flex minitip
- Nasopharyngeal (NP) flocked swabs and viral transport media tubes (1-3 mL)
Diagnostics Supplies and Instruments
- Roche MagNA Pure 96 DNA and Viral NA Small Volume Kits
- Roche MagNA Pure 96 System Fluid and Tips
- Roche MagNA Pure 96 External Lysis Buffer
- Biomerieux NuciSENS EasyMAG extraction system and supplies
Federal Update
Medicaid DSH
The following is a revised schedule of Medicaid DSH allotment cuts.
| Before CARES | After CARES | |
| FFY 2020 | $4 Billion | $0 |
| FFY 2021 | $8 Billion | $4 Billion |
| FFY 2022 | $8 Billion | $8 Billion |
| FFY 2023 | $8 Billion | $8 Billion |
| FFY 2024 | $8 Billion | $8 Billion |
| FFY 2025 | $8 Billion | $8 Billion |
| Total | $44 Billion | $36 Billion |
Centers for Disease Control Prevention
The CDC has updated its guidance on responsible actions when among people who have been or may have been exposed to COVID-19.
Food and Drug Administration
The FDA has updated its reporting on the steps it is taking to accelerate the development of novel therapies for COVID-19 through its Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program.
The FDA has updated its list of current and resolved drug shortages and continuations. There are currently 148 drugs on the list. Yesterday the FDA posted information regarding shortages of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine due to a significant surge in demand.
The FDA has issued two additional emergency use authorizations for COVID-19 diagnostics, for a total of 22 authorized tests.
State Department
The State Department has posted a message for foreign medical professionals with approved U.S. non-immigrant or immigrant visa petitions or certificates of eligibility in approved exchange visitor programs or who are already in the U.S. and would like to apply to stay.
The Joint Commission
The Joint Commission has posted a notice expressing support for permitting health care workers to bring their own standard face masks or respirators to use at work when their employers cannot “routinely provide access to protective equipment…”
Resources to Consult
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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