Pennsylvania Weekly Covid Update Tracks Improved Infection Rates

Pennsylvania says the number of new COVID infections last week was 18,252 while 412 Pennsylvanians lost their lives to the virus bringing the death toll in the Commonwealth to 24,026.

One Northern Tier county is reporting no additional deaths from COVID-19 over the past week but Bradford and Wayne Counties both reported growing death tolls.

Bradford County had 125 new cases for a total of 4,395 cases and three additional deaths for a total of 78. Susquehanna County had 35 new cases for the week for a total of 1,702 and no additional deaths. 53 residents of Susquehanna County have beeb lost to the pandemic to-date, while Wayne County reported one additional death for a total of 66 and 89 new cases for the week for a pandemic total of 3,056 cases.

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With the improving infection rate again this week, Governor Tom Wolf announced March 1 that restrictions on large gatherings were being eased.

Outdoor venues, no matter their set occupancy, are now allowed to host events up to 20% of their maximum capacity.  For indoor venues, no matter their size, they are now allowed to host gatherings at 15%.

Pennsylvania is also doing away with the requirement that people entering from other states be tested negative for COVID-19.

Officials are also looking into plans to speed up the vaccination of teachers.