HARRISBURG, Pa. — Update (Dec. 29): States officials announced on Wednesday that York and Scranton based hospitals and emergency services will receive federal aid in the form of strike teams beginning early in the new year.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, starting on or around Jan. 3, strike teams will arrive at WellSpan York and Scranton Regional Hospital, opening 30 additional "acute care beds" between the two hospitals.
EMS strike teams and more hospital staff, along with the addition of general medical and surgical beds for COVID-19 patients are on the list of support being sent.
Officials say that while the number of people deployed to Pennsylvania has not been determined yet, strike team members will stay in the Keystone state for 30 days.
Previously
Officials confirmed on Dec. 28 that Pennsylvania hospitals will receive federal strike teams to help handle an influx of COVID-19 cases.
Acting Secretary of Health Keara Klinepeter announced on Tuesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would send strike teams to relieve hospital capacity strain in the areas hit the hardest by the latest COVID-19 surge.
The announcement comes two weeks after the Wolf Administration outlined areas in Pennsylvania's health care system that needed assistance, including critical staffing support and additional pandemic response support focused on rural areas.
Wolf’s office did not give details about how many people will be in the federal “strike teams,” what sort of expertise or equipment they will bring with them and when they could feasibly arrive at hospitals in Pennsylvania.
Klinepeter says the federal government is working with state officials to finalize plans.
Pennsylvania also asked FEMA for one million rapid at-home coronavirus tests and more monoclonal antibody treatments.
According to the Pennsylvania Depart of Health, between Dec. 20 and 26, there was an average of 9,979 cases per day, compared to the prior week where there was an average of 7,252 cases per day.
