CHEERS to President Biden s nomination of Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine as assistant U.S. secretary of health. If confirmed, Levine, who has provided steady, science-based leadership during the pandemic,
Latest on coronavirus in Pa.: 205 more deaths as total cases number nearly 800K
Updated Jan 23, 2021;
Posted Jan 23, 2021
Weis Market Pharmacist John Chakan administers a COVID-19 vaccine to Linda Steltz at the Weis Market Store in Dallas, Pa., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. (Mark Moran/The Citizens Voice via AP)AP
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The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 5,785 new coronavirus cases and 205 more deaths on Saturday.
Across Pennsylvania, 799,957 people have contracted COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic about a year ago.
Statewide, 20,526 total deaths have been tied to the virus. It took eight months to reach 10,000 fatalities, but it took less than two months to double that.
Pa. reports 193 new COVID-19 deaths, but fewer are in hospitals
Updated Jan 22, 2021;
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported nearly 200 new deaths tied to COVID-19 Friday, but fewer people are hospitalized with the virus.
The state reported 193 new fatalities, raising the statewide total to 20,321. This week, the state passed another grim milestone in the pandemic, as more than 20,000 deaths have now been tied to the coronavirus. While it took eight months to reach 10,000 fatalities, it took less than two months to double that number.
On a more positive note, the state reported 4,169 people are being treated in hospitals for COVID-19, as the number of hospitalizations continues its decline in recent weeks. The number of people being treated for COVID-19 peaked at more than 6,300 in December. The health department reports 822 people are being treated in intensive care units.
Gov. Wolf says he’s nominating Alison Beam as new Pa. Health Secretary
Updated Jan 22, 2021;
Posted Jan 22, 2021
Alison Beam has been nominated to be Pennsylvania s next Secretary of Health. Beam, who is Gov. Tom Wolf s deputy chief of staff, would replace outgoing Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine.
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Gov. Tom Wolf is going outside the Pennsylvania Department of Health for his next health secretary.
Beam’s top priority will be the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines, a source of frustration for many Pennsylvanians anxious to get the shots. The governor’s administration this week expanded eligibility for the vaccines to those 65 and over and younger people with chronic medical issues or high risk. But the demand for vaccines far exceeds the available supply and officials are asking for patience.
Pennsylvania Health Secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, who will be leaving office to take a position in President-elect Joe Biden’s administration, said she is proud of the work she has done during her six years of state service.