Reopening businesses and public areas has caused a rash of fresh coronavirus outbreaks across the country, especially among states that rushed to reopen early, but others are not immune. Pennsylvania has seen an increase as well, from around 600 new cases per day last month to between 700 and 900 cases per day last week.

Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said last week, “As the entire state is now in the green phase, we must remain committed to protecting against COVID-19 by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and avoiding large gatherings this holiday weekend,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach. However, the virus has not gone away and we are seeing cases rise, especially in Southwest Pennsylvania.”

Governor Tom Wolf is now discouraging travel to highly impacted states. He also says that while the majority of those hospitalized are aged 65 and older, there is a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds.

A number of government representatives have joined in the governor’s calls for simple yet effective mask-wearing, including U.S. senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey, state Senator Pam Iovino and state Rep. Melissa Shusterman.

As of Monday, the state has 93,015 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 6,911 deaths. Lehigh County has 4,439 cases and 327 deaths; Northampton County has 3,555 cases and 273 deaths; the city of Bethlehem has 1,098 cases and 79 deaths.