Pa. Health Secretary says she’s concerned about COVID-19 spread as some students return to school

PITTSBURGH — The focus for most parents is how their kids can safely return to the classroom, as cases among elementary, middle, and high-school aged students remain steady, even as new cases continue to drop.

Reporter: How concerned are you about school aged kids getting COVID-19 even before they return to the classroom?

“We are concerned. We’re concerned about young people getting COVID-19. It’s a misconception young people don’t get the illness, they do,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine.

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Many western Pennsylvania school districts are weeks or even days away from returning to the classroom in some capacity.

In a one-on-one interview, Levine said it’s concerning, leading to additional guidelines being put in place this week.

“We want school children to wear masks while in school,” Levine said.

The concern comes as new cases in Allegheny County are dropping, while the percentage of children diagnosed with COVID-19 is on the rise.

From July 19 to July 25, the county had more than 1,000 new cases, with 10% of the cases impacting patients 19 years old or younger.

Fast-forward to last week, when there were half as many new cases, but nearly 15% of them were 19 or younger.

“We are concerned about rising rates in younger people in Allegheny County and actually, throughout the state. This is following a trend we’ve seen throughout the country and we’ll have to follow it very carefully,” Levine said.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Levine announced there are now 43 cases of multi-system inflammatory illness statewide – a potentially deadly condition linked to COVID-19.

But when asked directly about how she feels about opening schools, Levine pointed to progress the state is making with cases declining.

“We have bent the curve significantly. We want to continue to do that and put Pennsylvania in the best place possible for the opening of school,” Levine said.

Of the 43 cases of Multi-System Inflammatory Illness statewide, Levine said most have been in the eastern part of the state.

While there have been nearly 400 new COVID-19 cases among teenagers and children over the last month in Allegheny County, only two cases have led to hospitalizations.

WATCH: One-on-one interview with Pa. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine WATCH: One-on-one interview with Pa. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine

Cox Media Group