Good Data and Testing Key COVID Measures, Speaker Says

September 15, 2021

Cutler says new data answers many COVID questions

HARRISBURG – In response to repeated requests by the Legislature, the Wolf administration has finally provided additional data on Pennsylvanians currently suffering from COVID-19 infections, direct consequences of individual vaccination choices and who is most at risk for infection. Pennsylvanians now have a much clearer picture about the current COVID-19 challenges facing our Commonwealth.

“My colleagues and I in both chambers of the Legislature have requested additional data related to those who are hospitalized and sick to ensure we are working towards the best possible policy decisions to protect the most vulnerable,” House Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) said. “Without quality data sets, government is forced to guess at the expense of the people. That is unacceptable. Pennsylvanians have suffered terribly and in order to promote credibility, we need to be clear, direct and honest.”

Data from the Department of Health shows 97% of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 related deaths were suffered by unvaccinated, or not fully vaccinated, people; 95% of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Pennsylvania were in unvaccinated people; and 94% of all reported COVID-19 cases were in unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated individuals.

“Those numbers make the case very simple,” Cutler added. “The focus of our efforts in the Commonwealth should be to encourage those who can and would like to be vaccinated to get the vaccine.”

The speaker also noted that in addition to vaccines, all Pennsylvanians should have easy access to COVID-19 testing.

“No one, vaccinated or unvaccinated, should be forced to wait for days or weeks to find out they are infectious,” Cutler said. “These are mitigation measures that people all across our Commonwealth support.”

Speaker Bryan Cutler
100th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives