At a press event last week Governor Tom Wolf promoted the Affordable Care Act as his administration warned it is preparing for an expected surge of COVID-19 cases as the weather cools.

Wolf said losing the ACA, which has been under threat from Republicans since its inception a decade ago, would have many real, practical consequences; more than 20 million Americans will lose healthcare, many others with pre-existing conditions will lose coverage, and people seeking help with substance abuse – especially during this prolonged opioid crisis – will find it much harder to find support.

After years of legislative failures to eliminate the ACA, Republicans now hope the popular healthcare function will be struck down judicially by the Supreme Court amid a worldwide pandemic.

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine highlighted the work under way to prepare Pennsylvania for a fall resurgence in COVID-19 cases, and to make sure all Pennsylvanians are as protected as possible from both COVID-19 and influenza.

“We have seen more than 1,000 cases a day for the past nine days, which shows that we are at the start of a fall resurgence of COVID-19,” Levine said. “While we are working to expand testing, prepare for a vaccine and prevent outbreaks, Pennsylvanians have an important role to play. We must be united by wearing a mask, washing our hands, social distancing and avoiding large gatherings, downloading the COVID Alert PA mobile app and getting a flu vaccine.”

The department has announced that the first allotment of rapid antigen test cards are being distributed to several counties that are seeing increased cases of COVID-19 across the state. These test cards, provided by the federal government to the state, will be distributed to certified institutions, including long-term care facilities, personal care homes, assisted living facilities, intermediate care facilities, higher education institutions, drug and alcohol and behavioral treatment centers, correctional facilities and other health care providers in these counties to assist in rapid testing in these communities.

“With the increase in testing and cases, the department is continuing efforts to conduct case investigations and contact tracing,” Levine said. “However, for these efforts to be successful, it is important for Pennsylvanians to participate in the process. If you are contacted by a case investigator or contact tracer, it is essential that you answer the phone and participate in the interview.”

Levince said her department also is preparing for the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, once a safe and effective vaccine is developed and approved, and encourages everyone to get the seasonal flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is available now and is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones. Getting the flu vaccine, even if you do get the flu, will reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. Reducing the severity of the flu is very important as we work to ensure our health care system is not overwhelmed as we see flu and COVID-19 cases occur at the same time.

In addition to getting vaccinated, Pennsylvanians are encouraged to practice healthy habits like covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, frequently washing your hands and remembering to disinfect commonly touched objects, such as door knobs, light switches, countertops, cell phones and computers.

So far this flu season, which began on Sept. 26, 17 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases have been reported to the department. Those cases have occurred in 10 counties across the state. Flu activity and hospitalizations for influenza-like illness both continue to be low.

As of Monday, the state has ____ confirmed COVID-19 cases and 7,780 deaths. Lehigh County has 5,308 confirmed and 345 deaths; Northampton County has 4,173 confirmed and 301 deaths; the city of Bethlehem has 1,240 confirmed and 82 deaths.