Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
County officials: Stay home for holiday
WEST CHESTER » As the pandemic rages to historic levels, Chester County Health Department officials are asking residents not to travel or gather with anyone outside of their families on Thanksgiving.
Over the past four weeks, the number of people testing positive for COVID- 19 has risen by nearly 200 percent, while the number of those requiring hospitalization increased by more than 188 percent.
“The holiday season is coming up and it’s important to just remember to wear a mask no matter where you go,” said Michelle Kichline, county commissioner. “We still want you to be able to go out and shop for your turkey, but you have to wear a mask, you have to wash your hands, and you have to use hand sanitizer.”
Kichline said simple precautions will help to not only keep people safe, but will help the local economy.
“This Christmas season, and Hanukkah, we do want you to shop locally, but you must wear a mask because that’s they way these businesses can stay open,” she said. “We don’t want to have to shut down again. We just have to remember to wear a mask, wash our hands, and stay six feet away.”
Four weeks ago, 344 people in Chester County tested positive for coronavirus.
Last week, 1,027 tested positive.
“We are seeing our highest case counts of the pandemic across Pennsylvania,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “As I have said many times, the virus knows no boundaries, even between family members. It is imperative that everyone follows the safety measures laid out throughout the pandemic to protect themselves, loved ones, and all Pennsylvanians. In addition to COVID- 19, practice food safety, especially when cooking the traditional Thanksgiving turkey.”
According to the Chester County Health Department, the greatest risk for contracting coronavirus remains having come in close contact with someone who has the disease or has tested positive, and anyone who works or attends a school.
With an incident rate of 84.9 per 100,000, Chester County has crossed over into the “very high” community transmission level according to the Chester County Health Department metrics, which call for school districts to transition to all virtual learning. However, while the number of cases of COVID- 19 continues to increase, health department offi cials have not seen linked transmission in schools.
As the numbers continue to climb, more and more school districts are beginning to transition back to remote learning, especially for middle and high school students.
Health Department guidelines call for all virtual learning when thresholds for incidence rates and positivity are met for three consecutive weeks, and transitioning should be phased, with older grades fi rst.
Projected incidence rates per 100,000 in the coming weeks show Chester County cases to remain above 100 and continue to rise above 200.
To date in Chester County, 389 people have died from coronavirus, and 10,505 have tested positive. In September, 19 people in Chester County died from the disease and so far in November, 9 have died.
The age bracket of 20 to 29 remains the most susceptible to the disease. Even though this age group is most likely to survive, they often spread it to others, especially those who are asymptomatic.
West Goshen Township is currently the hot spot, with 533 cases and 13 deaths. New Garden Township is a distant second, with 322 cases and two deaths.
CDC low risk guidelines for Thanksgiving:
• Have a small dinner with only people who live in the same household.
• Prepare a traditional family recipe, especially those at higher risk or severe illness from COVID- 19 and deliver them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others. Have a virtual dinner and share recipes with families and friends.
• Shop online rather than in person on the day after Thanksgiving.
• Watch sporting events, parades and movies from home.