Trump approves disaster declaration for Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA - President Donald Trump declared a major disaster in Pennsylvania on Monday night, as Gov. Tom Wolf extended the closing of schools and nonessential businesses indefinitely.

Wolf also added four more counties — Carbon, Cumberland, Dauphin and Schuylkill — to a separate stay-at-home order and extended its duration by more than three weeks, through at least April 30.

FULL COVERAGE: CORONAVIRUS

Trump’s order allows for federal assistance to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

RELATED COVERAGE:

Pa. extends school, business closures 'indefinitely' as COVID-19 cases grow

Wolf expands stay-at-home order to include 26 Pennsylvania counties

Interactive map tracks spread of COVID-19 globally

WHO: Type of cough may differentiate coronavirus from cold

More than 10 million Pennsylvania residents, or 80% of the state’s population, have now been instructed to remain in their homes, with exceptions that include working at a business that’s still open, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, visiting a doctor, caring for a relative or heading outside to exercise.

Wolf said he knows the extended shutdown of businesses, schools and swaths of daily life “isn’t easy to hear,” but is necessary to save lives and keep hospitals from becoming overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.

“We’re going to keep our schools and businesses closed as long as we need to keep them closed to keep Pennsylvania safe. Right now, it isn’t safe,” he said.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania rose on Monday to 4,087, with 48 reported fatalities.

___

For the latest local news, sports and weather, download the FOX 29 News app.

DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP

___

The Associated Press contributed to this report.