Gov. Wolf calls new record number of deaths a “violent upsurge” and “reason for “alarm”

Gov. Wolf calls new record number of deaths a “violent upsurge” and “reason for “alarm”

By Tyler Pratt & WLVR Staff

December 2, 2020

Governor Tom Wolf is sounding the alarm over a record number of new COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations and cases reported in Pennsylvania. 

194 people were reported dead Wednesday and more than 4,700 hospitalized. The number of new cases was nearly 8,300 – the second-highest daily total of the pandemic. 

Speaking Wednesday Governor Tom Wolf says he has no plans for a new statewide shutdown order, but that he hopes to meet with members of the state legislature to address the pandemic. 

“We are seeing new, violent upsurge in cases, in deaths, in hospitalizations. Things that are a reason for alarm.” Wolf said. ”We have to figure out what we are going to do about this. And this comes down to a responsibility all Pennsylvanians share.”

The GOP-led General Assembly has heavily pushed back against Democratic Governor Wolf’s mitigation efforts, specifically any business restrictions.

Wolf administration health officials said this week they anticipate virus casualties and hospital cases will get much worse following the Thanksgiving holiday, especially if people don’t stop gathering indoors without masks over the winter months. 

In the Lehigh Valley – Lehigh and Northampton counties are reporting more than a 30% increase in cases over the past two weeks. 

Hundreds waited for hours in-line Wednesday for new free‌ drive up and walk-in ‌COVID-19‌ testing‌ in ‌Northampton‌ ‌County.‌ ‌It’s part of a new strike team effort from the state to test areas with surges in cases. 

The‌ ‌turnaround‌ ‌time‌ ‌for‌ ‌results‌ ‌is‌ ‌estimated‌‌ ‌between‌ ‌two‌ ‌days‌ ‌and‌ ‌a‌ ‌week‌. ‌

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