As each new day brings a record number of COVID-19 cases to the state, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine called for both stricter mask-wearing and traveling orders during Tuesday’s media briefing.

“Wearing a mask is really one of the simplest steps that we all can take to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Levine said. “It is critical we wear masks wherever we are around other people to protect ourselves and those we love.”

Levine said it will be up to each business to enforce the universal masking order.

“In this order, masks are still required to be worn indoors and outdoors. When indoors, masks will now be required any time you are with people outside of your household, even if you are socially distant or more than 6 feet apart. This applies to any indoor facility such as schools, gyms, doctors’ offices, public transportation, anywhere food is prepared, packaged or served. And this applies if you have people in your home who are not from your household.”

Schools

The department reported Tuesday that there were 5,900 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 275,513.

Tamaqua Superintendent Raymond Kinder informed families Tuesday that a student at Tamaqua Middle School has tested positive for COVID-19. The student, who has not been in school in over a week, is in isolation and is recovering. It was determined that eight additional individuals will need to quarantine.

“We continue to encourage you to follow all safety protocols. Individuals should not attend group functions, interact without face coverings, nor engage in large gatherings.

“The spread of this virus is dependent upon people to interact and have unnecessary contact. It is up to us to eliminate that possibility,” Kinder said.

Likewise, in Lehighton, a person at the high school tested positive, the district reported Tuesday.

That person was last in the high school on Nov. 9.

“As it relates to this situation, no students or staff have been identified to be in close contact with the individual while in our school setting,” Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver said. “The Pennsylvania Department of Health and school district administration will continue to monitor this and any other situation that arises in relation to COVID-19. As outlined in our district health/safety plan, the Department of Health is responsible for all contact tracing and school district administration will assist our public health officials with this endeavor.”

Although the confirmed case did not trigger a school closure, Cleaver cautioned that Carbon County is now in the substantial transmission stage.

“It is important that parents and guardians are aware that the possibility for moving into a full virtual learning platform for the short-term is increasing throughout the commonwealth,” Cleaver said.

The district, he added, will continue to clean and disinfect, as appropriate, and school buildings remain safe for occupancy.

Travel

Levine issued an order requiring anyone who visits from another state to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours before entering the commonwealth.

If someone cannot get a test or chooses not to, they must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvanians visiting other states are required to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours before their return to the commonwealth or to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania.

This order, which takes effect on Friday, does not apply to people who commute to and from another state for work or medical treatment.

Who’s going to listen?

Levine was questioned repeatedly on how these “orders” will be enforced.

Essentially, they won’t be. It falls on the shoulders of Pennsylvanians to make daily choices.

Levine said there are no plans to check every single car entering or leaving the state; or testing every single person departing or arriving by plane.

“We are all blessed to have freedoms in our country,” Levine said. “But with freedom come responsibility. That’s not a new concept, that’s been articulated since the beginning of our country. We all have a responsibility to work toward the common good. Right now, that means following these order and guidance in terms of stopping the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. In the end, it will come down to the actions of each and every one of us and whether we do that.”

Again, there are no plans to cite or police anyone not complying with the stricter orders issued by Levine.

“I actually have the authority as secretary of health to enforce isolation and quarantine,” Levine said. “We’re not looking to take people to court to do that, but I do have that authority. … other states are requiring the same measures; they have the same challenges. We are stating what our orders are and we want to communicate that we expect people to comply.”

Levine said she spoke directly with legislative leaders of both parties and reached out to county commissioners in addition to all of Pennsylvania’s municipal health partners.

“This can’t just come from me or the governor, but from all local officials. … This message has to come out in a coordinated, unified way, so the public can understand how this impacts them so they can learn to stand together and united against COVID-19.”

Colleges and universities

The Thanksgiving break is approaching for college students. Soon, most will return to their respective communities for a lengthy winter break between semesters.

Levine said the departments of health and education have issued recommendations for colleges and universities; that they need to develop and implement a testing strategy to prevent outbreaks among students, particularly when they return to campus following the holiday break.

“These strategies include routine protocols for testing and recording; including testing all students each term, returning to campus after a break, and have regular testing throughout the term. Colleges and universities should also have adequate space for isolation and quarantine.”

Hospitals and health care

There were 2,575 people hospitalized with COVID-19, as of Tuesday. Of that number, 558 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19.

Levine said hospitals are to work through the established health care coalitions and other partnerships to prepare for how they will support one another in the event that a hospital becomes overwhelmed during the pandemic.

Hospitals should also be working to move up elective procedures necessary to protect a person’s health and prepare to suspend them if our health care system becomes strained.

“Dr. Levine’s concern of the trending rise in daily case counts and the increase in hospitalized patients should not be taken lightly by any Pennsylvanian,” said Dr. Thomas Whalen of the Lehigh Valley Health Network. “We are constantly monitoring the COVID situation throughout the communities we serve. As always, we place our patients first and foremost in our plans, our strategies and our daily conduct of caring.”

Levine noted that a model from Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, from the University of Washington, projects that Pennsylvania will run out of ICU beds in December.

“We are actively involved in regional planning with our other acute care hospital partners across the Commonwealth to operationalize the vision noted in Dr. Levine’s memorandum,” said Whalen. “We appreciate that the Secretary acknowledges that those of us on the front lines of the pandemic are best positioned to assess and care for all our patients, whether they are suffering infection from COVID, cancer, heart disease or any other health need.”

Reporter Jarrad Hedes contributed to this report.