Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, told residents Monday it is safe to vote during Tuesday’s general election, and encouraged them to take a “COVID-19 kit” with them when they head to the polls.

“Your voting kit should include a mask, your own pen, hand sanitizer and we also encourage you to use the COVID Alert PA app,” Levine said during a news conference. “Don’t wait until the last minute. Make sure your ballot is received by 8 p.m. tomorrow.”

The Department of State, Levine added, has made special provisions for anyone in quarantine to be able to exercise their right to vote.

Monday was the 28th straight day that Pennsylvania has recorded more than 1,000 new cases and the fifth straight day it has seen more than 2,000 new positive tests.

“Pennsylvania is now up to a total of 211,996 cases since the pandemic began,” Levine said. “Of those cases, 76% of people are now considered recovered. We are continuing to see many people considered COVID-19 long haulers, where true recovery may take months due to chronic symptoms.”

Hospitalizations, Levine added, continue to rise statewide, going from 1,104 last Monday to 1,267 this week.

“We expect the number of hospitalizations to continue to increase,” she said.

The statewide percent positivity rate went from 5% last week to 6% this week and 40 counties, 10 more than last week, have a rate greater than 5%. They include Monroe, Schuylkill and Lehigh counties locally.

Levine on Monday continued to urge residents to participate in positive case investigations by state officials.

“From Oct. 18-24, only 24% of people who were asked answered whether they frequented a business or attended a mass gathering in the 14 days leading up to the onset of symptoms,” she said. “I can’t stress enough how critical this information is for us. The case investigation is anonymous and you might save a life by being honest about where you have been and who you have been in contact with.”

The Department of Health on Monday updated its travel recommendations, originally announced on July 2, to add Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Texas from the list of states recommended for domestic travelers returning from to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania.

“Cases are increasing in all regions and we are following the same pattern we are seeing in the rest of the country,” Levine said. “Every state is seeing big increases in new cases.”

Levine said she will be participating in a press call Thursday to talk about what the state is doing to prepare for vaccines, when they are determined to be safe.

“The vaccines won’t be a miracle cure, but they will sure help,” Levine said. “We have to be prepared for how that distribution and administration will take place when the time comes.”