The Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Community and Economic Development recently announced the launch of a new statewide public health awareness campaign – PA Unites Against COVID – to remind Pennsylvanians they have the power to stop the spread of COVID-19, and provide them with tools and resources to help educate others and join the fight against the virus.
“Now, more than ever, we need to come together to combat misinformation and do our part to protect the health of our friends and neighbors,” said Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin. “PA Unites Against COVID is a statewide communications effort that encourages every entity in the state – individuals and families, businesses, systems and institutions – to come together in the fight against COVID-19.”
The campaign will invest $3.8 million funded through a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity grant to educate and rally together Pennsylvania to fight COVID-19, with special focus on marginalized communities. Paid media includes television and radio spots.
Downloadable resources including posters and social media toolkits for community outreach, and information on the new COVID Alert PA app can be found at PA.gov/covid.
COVID Alert PA is a free, voluntary mobile app developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health in partnership with NearForm, UPenn and MIT Lincoln Laboratory using the Apple and Google Exposure Notification System. The app’s features include an interactive COVID-19 symptom checker, opt-in for alerts for potential exposures to the virus, updates on the latest public health data about COVID-19 in PA, and advice for what to do if you have a potential exposure to COVID-19.
“COVID-19 is still impacting Pennsylvanians across the state, so it is especially important that we continue to increase awareness about this virus and remind residents of the steps they can take together to help stop the spread,” said Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine. “I am calling on all Pennsylvanians to unite against COVID by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and downloading COVID Alert PA. This virus is still affecting our communities and it will not go away on its own. We all have a collective responsibility and must be united in this fight against COVID-19.”
Medical experts have applauded the Wolf Administration’s response to the pandemic. Research at the University of Pittsburgh concluded that mitigation efforts have saved thousands of lives. The modeling found that without the restrictions the number of deaths in Pennsylvania would have at least doubled or tripled.
