Back to class? Pa. Health Secretary talks about reopening schools this fall amid COVID-19 pandemic

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said the steps we’re taking right now here in Pittsburgh and across the state will help keep the virus from spreading.

But if we don’t, she said schools reopening in the next several weeks could be put in jeopardy.

“That’s why the mitigation efforts that we talked about are so important. It’s critical to drive down the case count now in terms of the rise in new cases in order to prepare for schools to reopen,” Levine said.

In a press conference on Thursday, Levine said the new statewide order will help kids and teachers return to school this fall.

She also answered questions about testing once school reopens.

“That’s why we took that state wide but very targeted surgical measure in terms of mitigation to decrease restaurants at 25% to close bars that are not serving food close nightclubs and decrease indoor gatherings of 25 people,” Levine said.

The state will make an exception to the 25-person limit for gatherings, so that schools can allow in person learning.

And if there’s an outbreak at a school, the state would move quickly.

“But if there were a particular concern about particular school, we can get those test results back quickly,” Levine said.

Levine added they would like a point of care rapid test, where results are given in minutes.

“That doesn’t exist right now there are some rapid tests but there are limitations to their accuracy so we are hopeful that test will become available. The latest evidence it has is that could be October,” Levine said.

Local parents frustrated by return-to-school process Local parents frustrated by return-to-school process

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