93-3-WMR Audio on Demand presents the Preston and Steve show podcast.

And now, Preston and Steve's news updates with Kathy Romano.

Halfway through October, it is the 15th. Good morning, Kathy.

Good morning in the news this morning. Pennsylvania is at the start of the fall resurgence of COVID-19.

The health secretary said Wednesday urging residents once more to take steps prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Wednesday marked the ninth consecutive day that Pennsylvania's daily case count surpassed 1,000,

though some of the increased caseload is due to expanded testing,

hospitalization, and test positivity rates are also rising.

That indicates increase in viral spread, Dr. Rachel Levine said at a news conference.

Pennsylvania is more prepared to handle the influx than it was in the spring, and state officials

have no plans to impose another statewide state home order or a broad-based business shut down at this time,

Levine said.

Health officials reported 1,276 more people tested positive for the virus, bringing the statewide

total to nearly 176,000 since the beginning of the pandemic.

The state reported 27 new deaths, raising the death toll to 8,411.

The department is seeing significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases

among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24 years old. Mask wearing is still required in all businesses and

whenever leaving home. Consistent mask wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The health department says, wash your hands frequently and continue to social distance.

They added.

There was a thing, a report that came out yesterday that showed how substantially that

aspect of washing your hands after coming out of the bathroom.

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