Senator Dan Laughlin today urged the state to deploy its mobile hospitals to prepare for the ongoing spread of COVID-19, commonly known as the Coronavirus.
In a letter to Secretary of Health Rachel Levine, Senator Laughlin said a mobile hospital in Meadville would help augment the local region’s response to the virus. A copy of Senator Laughlin’s letter to Secretary Levine is included with this press release.
“I believe these extra beds provided by these mobile units will be necessary to evaluate and treat those who may be affected by this virus,” Senator Laugh wrote. “As such, I am writing to request that these mobile hospitals, especially the one that serves my district, be immediately deployed to ensure that our hospitals can handle any and all new cases that might come our way.”
Noting that it would take days to deploy the hospitals, Senator Laughlin stressed the need to act quickly.
“As you know by seeing what is happening in other countries, the spread of this virus will likely intensify and it is incumbent that the Commonwealth to take every step possible to be prepared to protect our citizens,” wrote Senator Laughlin.
Governor Wolf and Secretary Levine announced today that 22 positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Pennsylvania across eight counties in the eastern portion of the state. The Department of Health stressed the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
- Clean surfaces frequently.
- If you are sick, stay home until you are feeling better
Contact: Matt Azeles mazeles@pasen.gov (717) 787-8927