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State health secretary says largest COVID-19 increases coming from college students

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HARRISBURG, Pa. — Just hours after a federal judge ruled in favor of four western Pennsylvania counties that challenged Gov. Tom Wolf’s and Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine’s shutdown orders, Levine gave an update on the course of the virus in the state.

Butler, Fayette, Greene and Washington counties were the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The judge said the actions of Wolf and Levine had good intentions, but they were unconstitutional.

>>>RELATED: COVID-19 restrictions by Gov. Wolf, Dr. Levine ‘unconstitutional,’ judge rules

Levine said the state’s attorneys are taking a look at the ruling from the federal judge.

Levine said the state is seeing significant increases in people ages 19-24. Forty percent of cases so far in September fall into that age group.

She said the most significant difference between the current increases and April is that colleges and universities are back in session. She urged students to change their actions to protect themselves, their friends and the community.

Levine said what happens on campus directly affects everyone in the community. She said if you do test positive, you are still contagious and should isolate yourself. You need to quarantine for 14 days if you have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive. Students need to wear a mask when walking around campus and avoid large groups.

“The virus has passed through every societal barrier,” Levine said. “We must stand united.”

Levine urged colleges and universities to not just shut down and send all students and staff home. She cautioned that could lead to a “diaspora” of coronavirus cases back to communities across the state.

“We all have a collective responsibility to try to prevent the spread,” she said.

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