State officials revised and expanded orders Wednesday requiring when people must wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“This mask-wearing order is essential to stopping the recent increase in COVID-19 cases we have seen in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a news release.

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine signed the new order Wednesday that says “masks must be worn whenever anyone leaves home.”

The order takes effect immediately and expands on the former order, which required masks when entering businesses and other enclosed spaces.

States nationwide have been seeing trends of increased numbers of COVID-19 cases. After weeks of Pennsylvania averaging between 350 to 500 cases, recent case totals have hovered between 500 and 600.

The number of new cases added to Pennsylvania's total Wednesday was 636.

“While cases increase in some areas, we cannot become complacent,” said Levine in the news release.

Order details

The order, which is available online, outlines the situations when a mask must be worn and includes limited exceptions to the face-covering requirement.

People will be asked to wear masks outdoors when they can't social distance and in any indoor location where the public is admitted. People are also required to wear masks when using commercial and public transit options, such as buses, taxis or ridesharing.

The order also further details when people should wear masks when they work, which includes any place visited by members of the public, working where food is prepared or packaged and when working in or walking through common areas.

Exceptions to these requirements include people who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition, mental health condition or disability.

Children younger than age 2 and people who cannot safely use a mask on their own are not required to wear one.

“Individuals are not required to show documentation that an exception applies,” the order said.

Butler County cases

According to data released Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Butler County saw three new cases added to its total confirmed case count of 278. The county has 33 cases listed as probable, which have pending test results. The county's death toll remained at 13.

After seeing a spike in inpatients last week, Butler Health System has reported those numbers declined this week. Currently, staff at Butler Memorial Hospital is treating three patients, two of whom have tested positive for the virus already. Clarion Hospital also has one inpatient with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, BHS spokeswoman Jana Panther said testing has been heavily in demand.

“BMH's outdoor testing facility has seen a dramatic increase this week,” Panther said. “Much of it related to out-of-state travel, and people exposed to unmasked, undistanced crowds.”

Panther said people should practice proper hygiene while traveling, including washing hands frequently, refraining from touching the face and covering coughs and sneezes. Masks and social distancing six feet from others is still highly recommended.

“If you feel sick, stay home,” Panther said.

The following numbers on the coronavirus pandemic were compiled from the regular news releases from the state Department of Health.Wednesday’s COVID-19 statistics:Butler CountyConfirmed cases: 278Probable cases: 33Negative tests: 6,864Deaths: 13Butler Memorial hospitalInpatients: 3Suspected: 1Confirmed: 2ICU: 0Total tests: 9,085Outdoor tests: 3,743Positive tests: 261Clarion hospitalInpatients: 1Suspected: 0Confirmed: 1ICU: 0Total tests: 1,606Outdoor tests: 1,069Positive tests: 43PennsylvaniaNew cases: 636Total cases: 87,242New deaths: 38Total deaths: 6,687Recovered: 78 percentSurrounding CountiesAllegheny: 2,722 confirmed cases; 55,605 negative; and 187 deathsArmstrong: 76 confirmed; 2,166 negative; and 6 deathsBeaver: 658 confirmed; 6,260 negative; and 78 deathsClarion: 35 confirmed; 999 negative; and 2 deathsLawrence: 91 confirmed; 2,693 negative; and 9 deathsMercer: 121 confirmed; 4,217 negative; and 6 deathsVenango: 15 confirmed and 1,200 negativeWestmoreland: 648 confirmed; 17,698 negative; and 38 deaths.