Lancaster city and county leaders discuss high number of coronavirus cases
WGAL News 8 coronavirus coverage
WGAL News 8 coronavirus coverage
WGAL News 8 coronavirus coverage
Lancaster County has the most coronavirus cases and deaths in the Susquehanna Valley with 865 and 26 respectively.
Tuesday morning, Lancaster city and county leaders, as well as state and federal representatives and doctors, held a news conference to update what each of them is doing to control the pandemic in Lancaster County.
Lancaster city
Mayor Danene Sorace said one of her top priorities is keeping residents informed about COVID-19. She believes many people aren't getting the message.
Sorace said she continues to do Facebook Live updates. City workers are going door-to-door to distribute flyers in some neighborhoods. The city has also hired artists to create murals with coronavirus information.
Lancaster County
County officials said it has $400,000 dedicated to the COVID-19 response. Some of that money will be used to hire a public adviser. That person will be a health expert and help coordinate efforts between county and health leaders.
Lancaster General Health
Lancaster General Health officials said they would like to increase testing. About 1% of county residents have been tested, so far.
LG Health said if people have symptoms, they should be tested. A doctor's order is required for testing at its sites.
Congressman Lloyd Smucker
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster/York) said the state is doing everything it can to get money to the people who need it.
Smucker also pointed out that there will be good along with the bad.
"As we continue to face this challenge in our community, we're going to continue to hear some stories of heartbreak, stories of loss, and that's tragic. It's sad. But you know as well as I, we will also hear a lot of stories of selflessness, of heroes who are really making a difference in their communities," Smucker said.
Concern about number of cases
Commissioners addressed the perception that Lancaster County has many more coronavirus cases than surrounding counties. Commissioners said based on population, that is not necessarily the case.