Still hitting that beach vacation this summer? Pa. health officials issue warning

As the summer sun heats up and families pack up for a weekend away, health officials are warning families that COVID-19 cases could climb especially if precautions aren’t in place.

Twelve people in eastern Pennsylvania are now confirmed cases of coronavirus directly linked to a trip to the Jersey Shore.

“The governor said he was concerned about people going to the Jersey Shore, especially if they weren’t going to practice social distancing,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said.

Long before the summer ends, a new guideline will be in place for all nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the state -- universal testing. That includes a baseline test for all residents and staff no later than July 24.

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“Our goal with implementing this testing in nursing homes is to rapidly detect asymptomatic positive residents and staff,” Levine said.

And lastly, some promising statistics from the state: patients testing positive are recovering in high numbers.

“Statewide, we’re estimating 71% of individuals with COVID-19 have now recovered,” Levine said.

That includes 56% of all residents recovering in nursing homes and assisted living facilities statewide, undoubtedly our most vulnerable population.

The governor said he will issue guidelines on Tuesday or Wednesday on how schools should allow team sports to continue when kids go back to class this fall.

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