Even as the rate of new cases declines, Pa. reported more than 200 coronavirus deaths for the seventh time in nine days as health officials fear another post-holiday spike.
The coronavirus surge in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey has begun to flatten, a welcome sign that health experts warn could change quickly if people gather in groups this holiday season.
While daily COVID-19 case counts continue to rise in Pennsylvania, the pace of the surge has slowed over the past week as we move further away from Thanksgiving.
Pennsylvania continues to be among the hardest-hit states as COVID-19 continues to spread across the commonwealth, driving hospitalizations and deaths to record levels.
New Jersey and Delaware administered their first doses of the Pfizer vaccine Tuesday, with health-care workers starting to receive their initial shots in the two-dose regimen.
“It is going to take a significant period of time to roll out the vaccine through the three phases and to immunize the public," said Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine.
The measures, which go into effect Saturday and end Jan. 4, and are the strictest restrictions Pennsylvania has seen since the first wave of COVID-19 cases in the spring.
