Bucks County announced its largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases, raising the county’s total to 110, said Bucks County, Bucks County Health Department Director Dr. David Damsker on Wednesday.
The new cases with the most recent symptom onset dates, he said, are connected to contacts with persons who already have tested positive for the virus, the Health Director said.
Those dates of contact are still being monitored, and most dates of infection precede the imposition of strict social distancing measures here. “We are still waiting for the effects of social distancing to be seen,” Damsker said.
Six Bucks County residents are hospitalized, four in critical condition. Three of those four, who are in intensive care units, are older adults with underlying health conditions, Damsker said. The fourth, while not elderly, has a history of respiratory problems and other underlying health issues.
Statewide, at least 15 Pennsylvanians have died from coronavirus, including Philadelphia’s first reported death and Montgomery County’s second.
Meanwhile Bucks earliest cases are now starting to recover with about six released from isolation, officials said earlier this week
Gov. Tom Wolf also extended his sweeping stay-at-home restrictions to include Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Ten counties, including Bucks, are under orders to leave home only for life-sustaining purposes until at least April 6. The order applies to about half of Pennsylvania’s 12.8 million residents.
In another response to the crisis, state lawmakers passed legislation to push back Pennsylvania’s primary election by five weeks to June 2. Legislators also authorized Wolf to transfer money from other funds to help provide hospitals, nursing homes and emergency response teams more money for masks, gloves and other personal protective gear.
COVID-19 cases in Bucks County now comprise 28 municipalities, as a growing number of Central and Upper Bucks communities have joined the list in recent days. Cases were confirmed Wednesday in Bedminster, Hilltown, Plumstead and Nockamixon Townships, and in Telford Borough.
A map showing those municipalities on the county’s data portal will continue to be updated as new cases come in.
The sprawling Ann’s Choice retirement community in Warminster, publicly announced that one employee had tested positive for COVID-19, but that there were no other cases reported among staff or residents.
All residents who had close contact with the worker have been instructed to stay in their homes for 14 days and self-monitor for any symptoms. The community already is closed to non-essential visitors and has imposed other social-distancing measures.
“Those who live and work on campus have been informed of this situation, and we are proceeding with the utmost caution,” Ann’s Choice said in a statement dated Tuesday. “The safety and well-being of those on campus is our highest priority.”
As of Thursday morning statewide, at least 15 Pennsylvanians have died from coronavirus, including Philadelphia’s first reported death and Montgomery County’s second with approximately 1130 people testing positive for the virus according to state data.
There have been three deaths in Northampton County to date.
Those with coronavirus questions or concerns may call the Bucks County’s Health Department at 215-345-3318.
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