Pennsylvania’s casinos keeping Covid-19 under control

Pennsylvania might still be catching up to Nevada’s gambling industry in a lot of ways, but it can proudly say it’s better in at least one way: It has less Covid-19. The state has reported just 108 positive cases among casino employees.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) announced the figure in a Thursday release. The 108 number represents less than 1% of the 16,000 casino employees statewide. The total, representing positive cases since casinos reopened in June, includes 28 cases at Rivers Pittsburgh and 25 cases at Parx in Bensalem, amongst others.

“We currently have more than 1,900 people working at Parx,” said Carrie Nork Minelli, director of advertising and public relations for Parx. “As such over a four-month period our positive case rate is approximately 1.3% which we believe is below the state and Bucks County average.”

Rivers had just a 2% positive test rate. “We’re extremely grateful to Rivers Casino’s Team Members in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh for their relentless dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace,” said casino spokesman Jack Horner. “Despite operating in the two Pennsylvania counties with the highest population densities, cases among Rivers Casino Team Members remain low.”