As the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus continues to rise in Pennsylvania, one of the state’s largest casinos re-affirmed its plans to stay open.

The Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville said it will stay open, though it is taking precautionary steps to handle the coronavirus.

“We currently remain open and are continuing to take additional steps to help protect the safety and wellbeing of our customers and team members,' Eric Schippers, the senior vice president of public affairs for Penn National Gaming, said in an email. 'We have cancelled all live concerts and events, closed our buffet and are maximizing air circulation in the facility, in addition to the stringent CDC-approved measures outlined on our website.”

The casino’s website has a page posted that lays out its response to the coronavirus, which includes increased cleaning throughout the casino, the cancelation or closure of potential high-volume areas and provided a list of best practices to protect the health of employees and others.

The casino did not provide a comment Thursday night on Wolf’s order, but a news release from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board listed Wind Creek among the casinos that will cease “gaming. The Valley Forge Casino in King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania, closed early Friday, saying it was complying with a directive from the state's governor to close all public schools, entertainment venues.

Twin River Casino Hotel and Tiverton Casino Hotel will temporarily close to the public March 14, and remain closed for at least one week, Marc Crisafulli, the president of the two casinos said in. Valley Forge Casino and Harrah’s Philadelphia have ceased their operations until further notice due to the virus. Information about potential reopening dates will be made available once everything cools down and the spread of the virus has been contained. Amid growing concern about the coronavirus pandemic, Pennsylvania’s casino properties have been rethinking their strategy. As a result, four out of 12 available properties in the Keystone State have closed – three in Philadelphia and one in Pittsburg. Specifically, Harrah’s Philadelphia in Delaware County and Valley Forge in Montgomery County have decided to suspend all.

As of Saturday night, no positive cases of the coronavirus have been announced in Dauphin County, where Hollywood Casino is located. Three cases were reported in Cumberland County on Saturday, the first to be announced in central Pennsylvania. There have been 47 confirmed cases statewide.

Gov. Tom Wolf urged Pennsylvania citizens on Thursday to avoid large social venues and for organizations that might have events holding 250 people or more to be canceled. On Saturday, Wolf recommended that nonessential businesses in the counties around Philadelphia to close temporarily.

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-- Follow Ed Sutelan on Twitter, @EdwardSutelan

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