Pennsylvania's 'yellow' phase doesn't mean a return to 'normal,' official warns

As the first Pennsylvania regions inch toward a May 8 lift of restrictions, the state’s coronavirus death toll pushed past 2,000 on Wednesday and officials warned that moving to the “yellow phase” will not mean a return to normal.

The 479 new deaths reported come from the Department of Health’s ongoing efforts to catch up with county data being reported through multiple platforms. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said those deaths have come over the past two weeks.

The statewide death toll now stands at 2,195, and the 1,102 new covid-19 cases brings the running count to 44,366.

Levine and Gov. Tom Wolf will announce Friday which counties and regions will begin to reopen their economies come May 8. A host of restrictions will still be in place until an area moves into the green phase.

“When we move from red to yellow, it is not a signal that we are releasing everyone to go about their regular, normal activities,” Levine said. “Yellow actually means that we need to proceed with caution.”

Few details have been released about what determines a move to the green phase, and Levine said officials are concentrating for now on moving areas safely into the yellow phase.

“If we move too quickly, we will see that more people will become sick and more people will tragically pass away,” she said.

She urged those who can work from home to continue to do so, even after a county moves into the yellow phase. Social distancing and mask guidelines will remain in place.