4 new presumptive positive coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania

Two new cases are in adults from Montgomery County, one in an adult from Philadelphia and one in an adult from Chester County.

• Marc Levy/The Associated Press
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(Harrisburg) — State health officials have announced four additional presumptive positive cases of the coronavirus in the Philadelphia area, bringing the statewide total to 45 cases, most of them in eastern Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said Saturday that there were two new cases in adults from Montgomery County, one in an adult from Philadelphia and one in an adult from Chester County. All are either in isolation at home or are being treated at a hospital. Of the 45 statewide cases, 39 are presumptive positive and six have been confirmed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Museums in the commonwealth and another casino joined the growing number of organizations announcing temporary closures due to the outbreak.

PECO announced that the utility provider was suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment charges through at least May 1.

A look at the latest developments in Pennsylvania:

MUSEUM CLOSURES:

State and local museums announcing shutdowns amid a wave of closures aimed at slowing the spread of the new coronavirus.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission says all state-owned historic sites and museums — regardless of location — will be closed as of Sunday through the end of the month. The commission earlier this week closed the State Museum of Pennsylvania and the state archives in Harrisburg as well as sites in Montgomery and Delaware counties. Commission meetings are being limited to 10 people or fewer through the end of April.

In Philadelphia, officials announced that museums on the Ben Franklin Parkway — including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute, the Barnes Foundation and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University will close and postpone or cancel events for at least two weeks.

The Court of Common Pleas in hard-hit Montgomery County announced that all jury trials, criminal and civil, would be canceled through March 27.

CASINO CLOSURES:

A second casino in Pennsylvania announced a two-week closure but said it could keep employees on the payroll.

Rivers Casino Philadelphia said it would close at midnight Sunday for 14 days “out of an abundance of caution and to promote the social distancing recommended by health officials” although there had been no known cases of coronavirus at the property.

The Valley Forge Casino in King Of Prussia earlier said it was closing in compliance the the governor’s directive to close public schools, entertainment venues and community centers in hard-hit Montgomery County. The casino said it would reopen March 27 and also noted that there had been no reported cases of the virus at the property.

CASES

Most of the state’s 45 cases of positive tests are in eastern Pennsylvania. Hardest hit is Montgomery County, with 20 cases. Cases announced Friday included the first two children under 18.

The confirmed cases largely have been traced back to contact with the new coronavirus in another state or country. Most people are at home in isolation, officials say; a few are hospitalized.

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, and death.

The vast majority of people recover.

 

Disclosure:  The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.