Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,989 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 18,228

Harrisburg, PA-The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 9, that there are 1,989 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 18,228. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania now have cases of COVID-19. The department also reported 29 new deaths among positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 338. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here. All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.

“Now more than ever, as we continue to see COVID-19 cases and deaths rise in Pennsylvania, we need Pennsylvanians to take action,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Those actions should be to stay calm, stay home and stay safe. If you must go out, please limit it to as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but other people as well. We need all Pennsylvanians to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and our healthcare workers and frontline responders.”

There are 87,374 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

• Less than 1% are aged 0-4;
• Nearly 1% are aged 5-12;
• 1% are aged 13-18;
• Nearly 7% are aged 19-24;
• 41% are aged 25-49;
• Nearly 29% are aged 50-64; and
• Nearly 21% 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. There have been no pediatric deaths to date. More data is available here.

All non-life-sustaining businesses are ordered to be closed and schools are closed statewide indefinitely. Currently the entire state is under a stay-at-home order.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, April 8:

• Announced Pennsylvania State Police non-life-sustaining closure enforcement numbers.
• Signed order to provide targeted PPE and supplies to health care facilities.

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

County by County break down is below:

County	Number of Cases	Deaths
Adams	38	1
Allegheny	759	12
Armstrong	20
Beaver	129	13
Bedford	4
Berks	616	8
Blair	6
Bradford	15
Bucks	871	23
Butler	113	2
Cambria	10	1
Cameron	1
Carbon	83	2
Centre	59
Chester	425	7
Clarion	8
Clearfield	7
Clinton	4
Columbia	65	2
Crawford	13
Cumberland	88	2
Dauphin	180	2
Delaware	1222	26
Elk	2
Erie	32
Fayette	45	1
Forest	5
Franklin	52
Fulton	1
Greene	21
Huntingdon	8
Indiana	21
Jefferson	1
Juniata	23
Lackawanna	312	16
Lancaster	596	17
Lawrence	37	2
Lebanon	187
Lehigh	1466	13
Luzerne	1241	12
Lycoming	17
McKean	1
Mercer	30
Mifflin	10
Monroe	716	19
Montgomery	1693	37
Montour	25
Northampton	949	20
Northumberland	24
Perry	15	1
Philadelphia	5029	86
Pike	163	6
Potter	3
Schuylkill	149	1
Snyder	9	1
Somerset	7
Sullivan	1
Susquehanna	16	1
Tioga	10
Union	11
Venango	5
Warren	1
Washington	63
Wayne	49
Westmoreland	190	1
Wyoming	6
York	250	3

Record 16.6 million have sought US jobless aid since virus
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — With a startling 6.6 million people seeking jobless benefits last week, the United States has reached a grim landmark: Roughly one in 10 workers have lost their jobs in just the past three weeks. The figures collectively constitute the largest and fastest string of job losses in records dating to 1948. They paint a picture of a job market that is quickly unraveling as businesses have shut down across the country because of the coronavirus outbreak. More than 20 million American may lose jobs this month.

Wiped out of toilet paper? Here’s why
By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer
Finding toilet paper in a global pandemic is a struggle. That’s because it’s part of a very tight supply chain. Toilet paper is so bulky and cheap that stores don’t keep big inventories on hand. So as more households buy a little extra, that causes a lot of disruption. Also, household demand is up 40% as offices and schools close, but toilet paper companies can’t easily switch to make more household paper because commercial paper is very different. There is some good news. Analysts say the panic buying from mid-March has eased somewhat, and toilet paper companies say they’re making fewer varieties in an effort to speed product to stores.

Wall Street climbs after Fed stuns markets again with aid
By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are rising in early trading on Wall Street after the Federal Reserve launched its latest unprecedented effort to support the economy through the coronavirus outbreak. The S&P 500 rose 2% early Thursday, adding to a stellar week for the market. The central bank said it took actions to provide up to $2.3 trillion in loans to households, local governments and small and large businesses as the country tips into what economists say may be the worst recession in decades. The Fed’s actions completely overshadowed a government report that another 6.6 million people applied for unemployment benefits last week.

Governor Wolf Extends School Closure for Remainder of Academic Year
Secretary of Education Implements State-Level Waivers to Ensure Continuity and Flexibility
Governor shares video message to students, parents and educators

Harrisburg, PA – Continuing his efforts to protect the health and safety of students and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tom Wolf today announced that all schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. The governor made the decision in consultation with Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine and Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera. Students and families can continue to pick up meals at designated sites.

Although schools are closed, teaching and learning may continue: schools are strongly encouraged to provide continuity of education for all students in the most appropriate and accessible ways possible. PDE has secured resources intended to help all schools that want to use them – including those not currently offering online platforms, those requiring additional technology support, and those that may rely on traditional methods, such as paper lessons, to continue educating students. There is no cost to schools or students for these resources.

“We must continue our efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus during this national crisis,” Governor Wolf said. “This was not an easy decision but closing schools until the end of the academic year is in the best interest of our students, school employees and families.”

Secretary Rivera said the administration’s primary consideration has always been to make the best decision in the context of student and community health and safety.

“While the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic and its mitigation efforts have created uncertainty in our schools and communities, today’s action to close schools for the remainder of the academic year provides school communities with predictability and understanding of the conditions under which they’ll be operating and serving students,” Rivera said. “As schools and communities adapt to the prolonged school closure, PDE will continue to work with our state, educational, and business and nonprofit partners to meet the needs of students.”

Today’s decision applies to all public K-12 schools, brick and mortar and cyber charter schools, private and parochial schools, career and technical centers and intermediate units. All Department of Education early learning program classrooms, including those for Pre-K Counts, Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program (HSSAP) and Preschool Early Intervention, will also remain closed.

Colleges and universities may not resume in-person instruction or reopen their physical locations until the governor permits them to open or lifts the closure of non-life-sustaining businesses.

Schools will remain closed though the end of the 2019-2020 academic year as it is defined by the local school calendar.

Under the state’s directive, schools could begin summer programming on the day after their academic year ends.

Secretary Rivera added that all re-openings will be contingent on public health guidance provided by the Secretary of Health and stay-at-home orders issued by the governor.

In addition to the school closure announcement, through his order Secretary Rivera also took action that will ensure crucial stability of education programs. Under Act 13 of 2020, the secretary has exercised his executive authority to adjust requirements for the evaluation of professional employees and waive student teaching requirements that may not be possible in the context of school closures.

“By taking these actions, the department is providing flexibility in the near term, while signaling that core functions of public education can and will continue,” he said.

The department has been providing ongoing guidance to school communities in the form of FAQs. The guidance information is available at education.pa.gov/COVID19.

For more information about Pennsylvania’s education policies and programs please visit the Department of Education’s website or follow PDE on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

(Pittsburgh,Pa.) Three inmates at the Allegheny County Jail are suing the jail and Warden Orlando Harper, demanding the release of inmates especially vulnerable to COVID-19.The lawsuit seeks the immediate release of anyone age 55 and older, and those with underlying medical conditions.Three inmates, Michael Graham, Alexus Diggs and Heather Connolly, claim that they have pre-existing conditions, and that conditions inside the jail heightened their risk of contracting the virus.

Biden vs. Trump: General election battle is now set
By STEVE PEOPLES AP National Political Writer
The general election for president is underway between President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. The former vice president’s last major rival, Bernie Sanders, announced Wednesday he was ending his campaign. Sanders’ decision concludes a fiery and public intraparty battle that has been tearing at the fabric of the Democratic Party. Sanders says he will continue to work toward the defeat of the Republican president. But Sanders suggested in an interview on CBS’ “Late Show” he hopes to see Biden move in a more progressive direction. Neither Trump nor Biden has formally received his party’s nomination, but they will be the standard-bearers barring an unforeseen event.

HHS: Federal stocks of protective equipment nearly depleted
By MICHAEL BIESECKER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Strategic National Stockpile is nearly out of N95 respirators, surgical masks, face shields, gowns and other supplies desperately needed to protect front-line medical workers treating coronavirus patients. The House Oversight committee has released documents showing that about 90% of all the personal protective equipment in the stockpile has been distributed to state and local governments. The remaining 10% is being held in reserve for federal workers. House Democrats say the Trump Administration is leaving states to fend for themselves, competing with each other and federal agencies in a free-for-all bidding war that drives up prices.

Thousands without power after storms that spawned tornadoes
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Thousands of utility customers in Pennsylvania are still without power a day after severe thunderstorms knocked trees and utility lines and spawned two small tornadoes. The storms containing heavy rains, hail, lightning and strong winds caused damage across the state. especially in western Pennsylvania where winds tore the roofs off of a church and a brewery in New Kensington and blew away a hanger at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. The National Weather Service confirmed two small tornadoes touched down in the area early Wednesday _ one near Tarentum and another in Lower Burrell. No injuries were reported. Roughly 13,000 utility customers were still without power early Thursday.

THE BEAVER COUNTY OFFICE ON AGING LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS ASSISTANCE DURING THE COVID-19 STAY AT HOME STATUS

Ombudsman is a Swedish term that means citizen advocate. “Ombudsmen advocate for those who can’t, support those who can and ensure all long-term care consumers live with dignity and respect.”

Under normal circumstances, staff and volunteer Ombudsmen make regular monthly visits to each personal care and nursing facility in Beaver County to talk with residents, family and staff about the quality of life in the home.  Ombudsmen also complete resident directed complaint investigations where the goal is to resolve issues to the satisfaction of the resident.  Confidentiality and consumer direction are extremely important throughout the process.

Our Ombudsmen are working full time, at home, and are still available for any complaints or questions related to Nursing facility and Personal Care Home resident rights and problem resolution.  If you have a problem you need help with give us a call. We will return your call by the end of the next business day.  Note: Ombudsman calls are considered and treated with highest confidentiality.

HOW TO CONTACT THE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM:

1. Email us at Ombudsman@BCOA.US
2. Or call the Ombudsman direct phone line 724-480-8589
3. If calling the Office on Aging main phone 724-847-2262, identify your call as an Ombudsman issue, with no details, as these calls are highly confidential. Ask for an Ombudsman to call you back and leave your NAME AND PHONE NUMBER ONLY.