COVID-19 Health Guidance

COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in Pennsylvania

Total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases by county

Interactive map of confirmed COVIN-19 cases

All Non Life-Sustaining Businesses to Close Physical Locations as of 8:00 AM March 23rd to Slow the Spread of COVID-19.

Businesses requesting clarification on whether they are defined as life-sustaining should check this list, email the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) customer service resource account at ra-dcedcs@pa.gov, or call 1-877-PA-HEALTH and select option 1 to reach DCED staff. For businesses that determine from the list that they are non-life sustaining, but would like to seek a waiver, there is an online waiver application.

Questions About Getting Tested:

Use the CDC online tool help you make decisions and seek appropriate medical care.

How to get Tested? Click below:

Call your doctor to request an appointment for a testing.

Additionally, The Montgomery County drive-thru testing site will be open for appointments of general public following the below criteria. It will open at 10am and close at 6pm each day. Appointments can be made at www.montcopa.org/COVID-19. If a constituent does not have internet or email you can call 610-631-3000.

In order to be seen, a patient must make an appointment and be listed in one of the following 4 criteria:

Fever at or above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit AND respiratory symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath; OR
Temperature at or above 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit AND 65 years of age or older; OR
First responder (law enforcement, fire, EMS, or dispatcher) AND concern for exposure to a patient with suspected COVID-19 OR respiratory symptoms; OR
Healthcare worker proving direct patient care AND testing not available through employer AND concern for exposure to a patient with suspected COVID-19 OR respiratory symptoms.

COVID-19 Guidance

Symptoms
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.  The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying. Individuals most at risk for severe symptoms include elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.

To date, there are 189,633 cases and 2,860 deaths in the United States.

Prevention 
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. One way this is possible is through social distancing. Through social distancing, we can reduce contact and therefore prevent the spread of the virus.

There are simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including: 

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:

Stay home and self-quarantine  
Avoid public areas and public transport
Call your physician

Cover your coughs and sneezes
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

Travel Warnings 
CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel. If travel is necessary, travelers should exercise good hygiene. If you plan to travel internationally, I encourage you to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive important messages, alerts, updates, and travel advisories while you are there.

Further Information 
Experts have been working hard to understand this new strain of coronavirus. Because new information is coming out every day, please visit the sites below to stay up to date.

The Centers for Disease Control provides updates on the virus and safety information for the public and healthcare professionals.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health provides information on the virus and safety precautions. 

The State Department provides a list of travel advisories for those who are planning to fly outside of the United States.

The safety of you and your loved ones is of the utmost importance. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our district offices at (215) 884-4300 or (610) 382-1250. Our staff will be working remotely but will be checking voicemails daily.

If you are looking for information and resources on the economic impact of COVID-19, please visit our COVID-19 Guidance for Workers or COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses pages

Rep. Dean held two Town Halls related to COVID-19

March 11th, 2020 COVID-19 Town Hall
March 20th, 2020 COVID-19 Town Hall focused on Economic Impact

Additonal Resources on the COVID-19 outbreak and the economic fallout:

Summary of COVID-19 Emergency Package One: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020

Summary of COVID-19 Emergency Package Two: Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Summary of COVID-19 Emergency Package Three: The CARES Act

SNAP Fact Sheet

USDA and Farm Resources

House Appropriations Committee's Summary of The CARES Act

Military and Veterans Guidance

Emergency and Paid Sick Leave Information

Summary of Congressional Oversight