Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today notified all COVID-19 vaccine providers that the pause in administering doses of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine will be extended until April 24 or until updated guidance is provided from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Earlier this week, the department recommended a pause in administering Johnson & Johnson vaccine until April 20 to give the CDC and FDA time to review six incidents of rare blood clots that occurred within two weeks of receiving Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Harrisburg, PA – The Departments of Health (DOH) and Education (PDE) today encouraged all students at Pennsylvania colleges and universities to receive their COVID-19 vaccination before the semester ends. DOH and PDE officials are encouraging all institutions of higher education to work with local providers to ensure vaccination opportunities are available before students leave for the summer.
Harrisburg, PA – With the safety of all residents in mind, Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today highlighted National Minority Health Month by focusing on the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on racial and ethnic minority groups and stressing the need for people in these vulnerable communities to get vaccinated.
“Health equity is the foundation of good public health policy,” Acting Secretary Beam said. “The opportunity to live a healthy life is fundamental, which is why it is essential that we work to help everyone achieve their healthiest lives. National Minority Health Month reminds us of the importance of eliminating health disparities and discussing solutions that will improve the health of all Pennsylvanians.”
Governor Tom Wolf announced that 43 projects totaling nearly $2 million have been approved for funding under the COVID-19 Relief – Supporting Elm and Main (SEAM) program.
“Over the past year, communities across the commonwealth have faced devastating impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Pennsylvania’s network of community development organizations never ceased answering the call for help,” said Gov. Wolf. “Our Elm Street and Main Street programs work tirelessly year in and year out—even in the best of times—to improve their communities, and this funding will provide them with the support they need to overcome the challenges they’ve recently faced.”
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health (DOH) today shared a weekly update on Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing data, encouraging Pennsylvanians to download the COVID Alert PA app, as more than 870,000 have already done, to aid in contact tracing efforts.
“Please remember that even are more and more people are vaccinated, we still have COVID-19 cases and it’s imperative that you answer the call from a public health professional to help contain and mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 13, there were 6,638 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,082,062.
There are 2,474 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 534 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.
