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COVID-19 testing, cases continue increasing as state struggles with contact tracing

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The rate of COVID-19 testing is increasing along with the number of positive cases across the state as health officials continue to struggle with contact tracing.

At a news conference Tuesday, Pennsylvania Director of COVD-19 Testing Michael Huff said the rising numbers demonstrate a need for more contact tracing. He said health officials continue to prioritize cases and contact tracing across the state. He said in the last seven days, 23% of cases had investigations started within 24 hours of being reported. An additional 7% of cases had investigations started within 48 hours. 96 people refused to quarantine as well, Huff said.

“Case investigation and contact tracing remain essential components of our COVID-19 response,” he said.

Huff said Pennsylvanians have a responsibility to adhere to public health guidance to protect themselves and others. He said public health controls are only as effective as the willingness of people to carry them out.

More than 43% of the state’s population, or more than 5,500,000 people have already been tested for COVID-19. The average number of PCR tests submitted per day is more than 50,000. The average number of rapid antigen tests is around 4,700 per day.

“The COVID-19 situation is fluid, and guidance continues to change over time” Huff said.

Huff said the state is prioritizing contact tracing on household contacts that were exposed in the last six days. If more than 14 days elapsed since a person tested positive, though, case investigation is not started since that person is most likely already recovering. He said the challenge is that a person could infect others during that time period if they don’t know they’re sick.

Huff said most of the counties in the state fall in the “substantial” range, meaning there are more than 100 positive cases per 100,000 residents. He said the state is working to ensure there are tests available to everyone who needs one. There about 550 contracted sites around the state where people can get tested besides their primary care doctor.

Additionally, Huff was asked several times about how a person who is tested multiple times would be reflected in the numbers reported each day. Would a person who tests positive two or three times show up simply as two or three positive tests or would it be only one positive since the tests are connected to a single person? He said he was unsure and would have to check with state officials.

You want to do the right thing and you can’t do the right thing.”

Becki Spaude told Channel 11 she’s frustrated. She has a medical procedure that requires anesthesia. Her mother was coming from Ohio and new state rules say she needs to get a test or quarantine for 14 days. Her mother is still searching for a test.

“If you don’t have enough for people to be able to walk up and say ‘I would like to get a test’ and have it happen, how are we supposed to make this happen,” she said.

Spaude said her mother has to come to drive her home after the procedure.

“I don’t know how to proceed. What do you do?” Spaude said.