Bucks County confirms first cases of coronavirus

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(Harrisburg) — Cases of the new coronavirus crept into an additional county in Pennsylvania as more schools and prisons took precautions Wednesday, and St. Patrick’s Day parades in Philadelphia, Scranton and Pittsburgh were canceled.

Bucks County, in suburban Philadelphia, confirmed its first two cases late Tuesday. Along with an additional case confirmed Wednesday in neighboring Montgomery County, that boosted the statewide total to at least 15 confirmed cases, according to the state Department of Health, which also said 54 tests were pending.

A look at the latest developments in Pennsylvania:

What we know

All the people who have tested positive in the state live in eastern Pennsylvania, authorities say. Most people are believed to have contracted the virus while traveling outside the state or country, but some new cases are people who got sick while inside Pennsylvania.

Late Tuesday, Bucks County’s health department said it had discovered the county’s first cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, in two adults who live together and had attended an out-of-state gathering recently. They are in isolation at home.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Health began sharing more information about testing Wednesday, saying there were 54 tests pending and 88 negative tests.

Overall, nine people who tested positive, including one Wednesday, are residents of Montgomery County. Philadelphia officials confirmed the city’s first case Tuesday.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia said a cardiologist who tested positive for the virus treated about two dozen patients and came into contact with 17 staff members at a King of Prussia facility. The physician returned to work after overseas travel and saw patients over four days last week. The hospital said it disinfected and reopened the facility.

At least three people were hospitalized — including the cardiologist — and the rest were at home, officials said.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.

Warnings

State Health Secretary Rachel Levine isn’t recommending that large gatherings be canceled.

Philadelphia officials are not encouraging school closures, but they are urging people not to attend events of more than 5,000 attendees, including professional sporting events.

What we don’t know

Officials are giving few details about patients.

The state Department of Health is not saying how many people it is monitoring under quarantine, where precisely someone traveled when they were exposed or which hospitals are treating patients. Some counties, institutions and states are giving more details.

Cancellations

Philadelphia canceled its St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Tuesday night, and Pittsburgh and Scranton followed suit Wednesday.

At least six Delaware County school districts are planning to close for a day, mostly Friday or Monday, to test their preparedness, the Delaware County Times reported.

Muhlenberg College, West Chester University, Bucknell University, Millersville University and the University of Scranton are ending in-person instruction and moving classes online, either temporarily or for the semester.

Bloomsburg University and Dickinson College extended spring break, while Penn State, whose students are on spring break, is requiring a 14-day quarantine period for students or employees returning from a country where COVID-19 is widespread before they return to campus.

Northampton County Prison banned visitors and volunteers from entering as of Tuesday.

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