Bucks County officials say eight more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed over the last 24 hours, with three hospitalized and two people in serious condition, as of Tuesday 11:15 a.m bringing the total number to 69 cases of COVID-19 in the county, Health Department officials said.

Health Department Director Dr. David Damsker said he expects more confirmed cases to be announced. 

Gov. Tom  Wolf’s “Stay at Home” order issued Monday night raised questions about the order being enforced and how at the Tuesday briefing .

Emergency Services Director Scott T. Forster said local enforcement of the order is up to individual police departments for each municipality.

At this time, law enforcement will be focused on ensuring that residents are aware of the order and informing the public of social distancing practices rather than enforcement. To report a noncompliant business, contact your local law enforcement agency’s non-emergency number or the nearest Pennsylvania State Police station. Please do not call 911 or the Department of Community and Economic Development to file reports. Law enforcement officers should refer to Business Closure Order Enforcement Guidance, the release reads. 

Foster also said the county is awaiting the arrival of more protective masks, awaiting the delivery of about 30,000 presently with 7000 already on hand. 

Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo said he fully supported the actions taken by Governor Wolf on Monday pleading with residents to stay at home and be safe. 

“Stay at home as much as possible.” 

The order which took effect Monday night and lasts until at least April 6, is for Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Monroe,  and Montgomery counties, as the state seeks relief to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19, officials said. 

Philadelphia was ordered shutdown my Mayor Jim Kinney, Monday. 

The order prompted Bucks County officials to close all county government buildings to the public, as well as the county parks system, while they assured residents that essential government services would continue. 

Commissioner Bob Harvie said for businesses dealing with the impacts of COVID-19 will be able to receive loans from the Redevelopment Authority but there are some restrictions he said. 

The loans are for small businesses he said with details being worked out presently, Harvie said. 

The number of cases continues to grow and so we must take further steps to stop the spread of this contagious and dangerous novel virus to protect the public’s health and mitigate the risk to our hospital system,” Sec of Health Dr. Levine said. “There is one way to make sure people don’t need to be hospitalized and we don’t strain our health care system: Stay calm. Stay home. Stay safe.”

As of Tuesday 12 p.m. State Health Officials said there are 851  confirmed cases of COVID -19 in Pennsylvania with seven deaths, and a little under 8,650 individuals tested.