After announcing Friday the implications and trials to come with the reopening of 24 counties – at least to a lesser degree of quarantine – Governor Tom Wolf said an additional 13 counties would follow suit at the end of the week.

State Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said there are many qualitative and quantitative factors under consideration insofar as which counties are being reopened, but much of it has to do with what data and research discovers in the early days and weeks of the rural counties. Continued social distancing, contact tracing and local officials’ and emergency responders’ reactions to further infections will help determine if and how more populous counties should reopen.

Contact tracing is a method of interviewing and monitoring someone who has contracted a virus, retracing their steps, and immediately following up with everyone that person may have exposed.

Levine also said dentists’ offices may soon reopen to non-emergency procedures, so long as they strictly adhere guidelines, and childcare services in Yellow-phase counties have similar limitations.

Meanwhile, the overall statewide stay-at-home order has been extended to June 4. When asked why a monthlong extension was preferable to week-by-week decisions, Wolf indicated plans can be changed, but that at this time a longer extension was more prudent. “We’re not looking at just one variable. We’re looking at a whole host of things. We haven’t been through this before, but we’re united and we want to keep people safe. We’re making the best judgement we can.”

“As a former business owner, I share [their] frustration. I would like to go back to January. We can’t. This virus is standing in the way.”

Wolf continues to encourage everyone, everywhere to limit shopping in person, communicate with friends and family via phone or electronically, telework if possible and exercise outdoors in quiet neighborhoods. “Ultimately, it’s up to us to make good decisions.”

As of Monday, the state has 57,154 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 3,731 deaths. 2,156 are currently hospitalized. Lehigh County has 3,259 confirmed and 121 deaths; Northampton County has 2,465 confirmed and 160 deaths; the city of Bethlehem has 626 confirmed and 26 deaths.