Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 5/14/20: Beaver County up 3 Positive Cases and 4 New Deaths.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 938 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 59,636

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 14, that there are 938 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 59,636. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

Today, the state is reporting 4,218 total deaths, an increase from the 3,943 total deaths reported yesterday. There were 44 new deaths reported overnight; the remaining 231 were reported as a result of a reconciliation of data over the past several weeks. This means the department added 275 total deaths to the data. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here.

Locally in Beaver County we are  at 512 positive cases there is an increase of 3 from yesterday. 2581 people have tested negative in the county there has been 4 additional deaths reported as the County at to 82.

In the 3 nursing homes that are reporting positive cases in the county are at 339 positive cases no increase from yesterday. Employee cases are at 25 and the death toll is up 4 at 75.

“As counties move from red to yellow, we need all Pennsylvanians to continue to follow the social distancing and mitigation efforts in place,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We must continue to protect our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, which includes our seniors, those with underlying health issues, our healthcare workers and our first responders. I am proud of the work that Pennsylvanians have done so far, but we cannot stop now, we must continue to take the necessary steps to protect ourselves from COVID-19.”

There are 251,559 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

  • Nearly 1% are aged 0-4;
  • Nearly 1% are aged 5-12;
  • Nearly 2% are aged 13-18;
  • Nearly 6% are aged 19-24;
  • Nearly 37% are aged 25-49;
  • Nearly 26% are aged 50-64; and
  • 28% are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are aged 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 12,677 resident cases of COVID-19, and 1,922 cases among employees, for a total of 14,599 at 549 distinct facilities in 44 counties. Out of our total deaths, 2,896 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 4,217 of our total cases are in health care workers.

For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.

Wisconsin high court tosses out governor’s stay-home order

Wisconsin high court tosses out governor’s stay-home order
By TODD RICHMOND Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court has struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ stay-at-home restrictions. The high court ruled for Republicans in a challenge to an extension issued by the governor’s health secretary, arguing she exceeded her authority. The 4-3 ruling means the state is essentially reopened ahead of the May 26 expiration date of Evers’ order. It lifts caps on the size of gatherings, allowing people to travel as they please and allowing shuttered businesses to reopen, including bars and restaurants. The ruling marks another defeat for Evers as Republicans continue to chip away at the Democratic governor’s authority.

Millions more people likely sought US jobless aid last week

Millions more people likely sought US jobless aid last week
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The government is set to provide its latest update on the waves of layoffs that have caused tens of millions of workers to lose their jobs in a U.S. economy still paralyzed by business shutdowns. The Labor Department will likely announce that millions more people filed for unemployment benefits last week, after 33 million sought aid in the previous seven weeks as the coronavirus forced employers across the country to close. Though most nonessential businesses remain shut down, most states have begun to ease restrictions for some categories of retail establishments despite concerns that it may be too soon to do so without causing new infections.

Sergeant fired in school shooting response to get job back

Sergeant fired in school shooting response to get job back
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Sun Sentinel) — An arbitrator determined a Broward Sheriff’s sergeant fired because he sat in a parked car during a 2018 mass shooting at a high school should get his job back. The arbitrator dismissed the case against Brian Miller, saying his due process rights were violated when he was fired. A state commission investigating the shooting said Miller was the first supervisor on the scene as the gunman was inside a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School building. But he remained in his car, putting on a bulletproof vest. Miller earned more than $137,000 in 2018 and the arbitrator determined he should receive back pay.

Some counties undeterred by Wolf’s threat; others back down

Some counties undeterred by Wolf’s threat; others back down
By MARC LEVY and MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Several Pennsylvania counties say they are moving ahead with plans to defy the governor by lifting some pandemic restrictions. Others backed down Wednesday under Gov. Tom Wolf’s threat to withhold COVID-19 funding. Commissioners in many GOP-controlled counties where the Democratic governor has yet to ease any restrictions say they can manage the coronavirus threat and reopen safely. They say the prolonged shutdown threatens to destroy local economies, especially small businesses. Wolf says moving too fast risks jeopardizing the progress Pennsylvania has made against a virus that has sickened some 59,000 and killed nearly 4,000 statewide.

Pa. Governor Wolf aims to contain GOP revolt

‘A pressure cooker’: Pa. governor aims to contain GOP revolt
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf is struggling to fight against a Republican revolt over his stay-at-home orders and business shutdowns. Egged on by state GOP lawmakers, counties have threatened to defy his orders while at least a few business owners have reopened their doors despite his warnings. The Democratic governor has had to decide how far to go in enforcing the orders. The chief instigator behind the Republican strategy, President Donald Trump, is set to visit the state on Thursday. Behind the rhetoric is a political fight over who will be blamed for the state’s economic devastation if it is not repaired by Election Day.

As coronavirus rolls on, Republicans hit ‘pause’ on new aid

As coronavirus rolls on, Republicans hit ‘pause’ on new aid
By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Businesses are going belly up, tens of millions have been laid off and, by some measures, the U.S. seems headed for another Great Depression. But Republicans surveying the wreckage aren’t ready for another round of coronavirus aid, instead urging a “pause.” It’s a position based on a number of factors. Polls show GOP voters think the government is already doing enough, and Republicans on Capitol Hill are divided over the best approach. Billions approved by Congress have yet to be spent. And it’s also not clear what President Donald Trump wants to do next, if anything, to juice the economy.

Southbound Route 65 Lane Restriction at the Monaca East Rochester Bridge begins Thursday in Beaver County

Southbound Route 65 Lane Restriction at the Monaca East Rochester Bridge begins Thursday in Beaver County

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing a lane restriction on southbound Route 65 in East Rochester Borough, Beaver County, will begin Thursday, May 14 weather permitting.

The right-hand lane of southbound Route 65 which carries traffic under the Monaca East Rochester Bridge will close to traffic according to the following schedule:

  • Thursday, May 14 – noon to 5 p.m.
  • Friday, May 15 – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 16 – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 17 – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Southbound Route 65 traffic will use the left-hand lane approaching the bridge. At the signalized intersection, motorists will continue straight to reacquire southbound Route 65. Northbound Route 65 traffic will not be impacted. Norfolk Southern crews will conduct slide remediation work.

PennDOT is not involved in this work and is providing this information as a public service announcement only.

The Pennsylvania Air National Guard will fly over hospitals in the Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Harrisburg areas on Friday.

The Pennsylvania Air National Guard announced two aircraft will fly over hospitals in the Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Harrisburg areas on Friday.

The flyover will begin at Forbes Hospital at approximately 12:18 p.m., continue over other local hospitals, and finish at UPMC Shadyside at approximately 12:26 p.m. before the aircraft head off to Johnstown and Harrisburg.

The 171st Refueling Wing and the 193rd Special Operations Wing will perform the event as part of Operation American Resolve.

Part 2 – Potential Side Effects Of COVID -19 . . . Isolation And Domestic Violence.

Story by Mark Peterson

(Beaver County, PA) The Corona Virus has many  symptoms that are well known and documented like a high fever and breathing difficulties.  However, the Covid -19 pandemic also has has an undesirable side effect that isn’t quite as apparent, isolation.  For most people, being shut in and stuck in the house for weeks, as part of quarantine efforts to stop the spread of the disease, is merely an inconvenience.  But, for someone experiencing bouts of domestic violence, the stay at home orders can mean being trapped with an abuser and having the feeling like they have no options. In part two of a weekly three part series, Beaver County Radio spoke to Ann Murray from the Beaver County Women’s Center about this important issue, and the therapy services that Women’s Center has available to help people in crisis during this unique situation.

Ann Murray from the Women’s Center of Beaver County. (Beaver County Radio file photo)

Again, The Women’s Center helpline continues to be available 24 hours a day and can help provide options and support to anyone involved with domestic violence. The number once again is 724-775-0131.  Next Thursday, in part three of our series about the effects of isolation and being forced to stay at home with a potential abuser,  Beaver County Radio will speak with Ann Murray from the Women’s Center of Beaver County about court advocacy services that are available through the organization. For more Information, a link to the Women’s Center of Beaver County is available at beavercountyradio.com.