Category: COVID NEWS

Pittsburgh remains virus hotspot; reports 218 new infections

Pittsburgh remains virus hotspot; reports 218 new infections
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania health officials say an additional 450 people statewide have tested positive for the new coronavirus, with nearly half the new cases coming from the Pittsburgh area. There were 218 new infections in Allegheny County, a virus hotspot that is home to Pittsburgh and 1.2 million people. Last week, county health officials announced a one-week ban on table service at bars and restaurants. Statewide, a single new COVID-19 death was reported Monday, raising Pennsylvania’s toll to 7,754 since the beginning of the pandemic. More than 90,000 people statewide have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.

Wolf Administration Urges Pennsylvanians to Avoid Large Gatherings, Wear Masks Over Holiday Weekend 

Wolf Administration Urges Pennsylvanians to Avoid Large Gatherings, Wear Masks Over Holiday Weekend 

Harrisburg, PA – As the holiday weekend approaches, the Wolf Administration is reminding Pennsylvanians to avoid large gatherings and to wear masks around other people to help prevent further spread of COVID-19. On July 1, Governor Tom Wolf announced an order, signed by Secretary of Health Dr. Levine, requiring masks to be worn whenever anyone leaves home.

“The green phase is not a green light to stop exercising caution in large “Although it is the holiday weekend, Pennsylvanians should refrain from attending large gatherings, and if you do go out and interact with others, wear a mask,” Sec. of Health Dr. Levine said. “My mask protects you, and your mask protects me. Wearing a mask shows that you care about others, and that you are committed to protecting the lives of those around you.”

On July 3, Lebanon County, the remaining county still in yellow, will join the green phase with the rest of the state. The green phase prohibits large gatherings of more than 250 people. The newly expanded mask-wearing order also requires mask-wearing in any public space, not just in businesses.

If you have traveled, or plan to travel, to an area where there are high amounts of COVID-19 cases, it is recommended that you stay at home for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania. If you travel to the following states, you will need to quarantine for 14 days upon return:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • Nevada
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah

Pennsylvanians are encouraged to continue to practice social distancing and other preventive measures, including washing your hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning surfaces often, wearing a mask and staying home if you are sick to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

As of 12:00 a.m., July 2, there were 88,074 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide in 67 counties and 6,712 total deaths attributed to COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 and older. There have been no pediatric deaths to date. More data is available here.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean surfaces frequently.
  • Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
  • If you must go out for a life-sustaining reason, please wear a mask.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

For more information on ticks and Lyme disease, or on mosquitoes and West Nile virus, visit the Department of Health website at www.health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

PA Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 7/02/20: Beaver County up Ten Cases and One New Death

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 832 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 88,074

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., July 2, that there are 832 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 88,074. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

There are 6,712 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 25 new deaths. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here.

Locally in Beaver County we are up 10 cases since yesterday at 688. 668 confirmed cases and 20 probables. 6362 people have tested negative and the county is up one death at 79.

“Our latest data shows that the number of COVID-19 cases is increasing across the state,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “The virus has not gone away. Each of us has a responsibility to continue to protect ourselves, our loved ones and others by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and washing our hands frequently. Together we can protect our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our essential workers and our healthcare system.”

As the holiday weekend approaches, it is essential that all Pennsylvanians take steps to protect themselves and those around them. Residents are encouraged to avoid large gatherings and to remember that mask-wearing is required in public settings and when around other people to prevent further spread of COVID-19.

According to an order signed by Secretary of Health, mask wearing is required whenever anyone leaves home. Consistent mask wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

There are 634 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure, which are considered probable cases and not confirmed cases. There are 702,199 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 ages 0-4;
  • 1% are ages 5-12;
  • 2% are ages 13-18;
  • 7% are ages 19-24;
  • Nearly 37% are ages 25-49;
  • 24% are ages 50-64; and
  • 27% are ages 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 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 17,856 resident cases of COVID-19, and 3,316 cases among employees, for a total of 21,172 at 702 distinct facilities in 53 counties. Out of our total deaths, 4,590 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 6,706 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.

Currently, all 67 counties are in the yellow or green phase of reopening.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, July 1:

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean surfaces frequently.
  • Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
  • If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

Brighton Rehab and Wellness Sued Over Houskeeper’s Death

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The family of a woman who died of COVID-19 while working at a Pennsylvania nursing home that struggled to cope with the virus outbreak is suing the home and its owners for wrongful death. The lawsuit filed in Pittsburgh on Wednesday cites the Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center’s history of safety and sanitation problems. It alleges the defendants’ practices created a perfect environment for an infectious disease to run rampant. The lawsuit states that at least 80 people have died at Brighton and that more than 350 residents and more than 100 staff have caught the infection. Brighton management declined comment.

Dems: Government’s ‘deadly delay’ devastated nursing homes

Dems: Government’s ‘deadly delay’ devastated nursing homes
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A report from Senate Democrats finds that the Trump administration was slow to comprehend the scale of COVID-19’s impact on nursing homes and a disjointed federal response compounded the devastating toll. The report out Wednesday finds a lack of coordination among government agencies has led to issues with access to coronavirus testing and protective equipment. An Associated Press tally shows that nationwide more than 55,000 residents and staff have died from coronavirus outbreaks at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, a disproportionate share of the more than 127,000 deaths nationwide. The administration’s lead agency on nursing homes, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, strongly defends its record.

Pennsylvania court turns down lawmakers’ bid to end shutdown

Pennsylvania court turns down lawmakers’ bid to end shutdown
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s high court has ruled against an effort by Republican state lawmakers to end Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s shutdown orders. A divided court ruled Wednesday that a resolution passed with mostly GOP votes was a “legal nullity” because it wasn’t sent to Wolf to sign or veto. The resolution would have ended Wolf’s emergency disaster declaration that led to the closure of “non-life-sustaining” businesses, bans on large gatherings and orders for people to isolate at home. Two senior Republican senators sued to enforce their resolution, and the high court took up the matter and ruled without hearing oral argument.

Pa House Republicans Respond “Voices of Pennsylvanians Blocked by Court Ruling”t after Gov Wins Lawsuit to End Emergency Orders

Voices of Pennsylvanians Blocked by Court Ruling

 

HARRISBURG – The House Republican leadership team issued the following statement in response to the state Supreme Court’s ruling on Scarnati v. Wolf, a ruling that strikes down the bipartisan vote to end the ongoing emergency declaration:

“Pennsylvanians have made it clear; they will not sit idly by while one person makes every decision regarding COVID-19. Throughout this event, Gov. Tom Wolf has refused to engage with the General Assembly, the elected voices of our Commonwealth’s residents, regardless of the implications of his decisions.

“Whether it’s an arbitrary shutdown order that benefits certain businesses while leaving more than 2 million Pennsylvanians relying on a broken unemployment compensation system, neglecting our most vulnerable nursing home residents, or vetoing bills to restart the economy, only to issue executive orders that accomplish the same goals minutes later, the governor must be held accountable by the Legislature, as is required by our Constitution.

“Today’s ruling, which comes just moments after another unenforceable, unilateral mask order, sends a message to all Pennsylvanians: The governor and the Supreme Court do not want to hear from you.

“The House Republican leadership team and our members will continue to work in the House to find a path to helping all Pennsylvanians rebuild and recover from the governor’s decisions.”

The House Republican Leadership team is Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), Appropriations Committee Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York), Majority Whip Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), Policy Committee Chair Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), Caucus Chair Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery), Caucus Secretary Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset) and Caucus Administrator Kurt Masser (R-Northumberland/Columbia/Montour).

Pa Health Secretary and Gov. Wolf Order Mask Wearing in All Public Places Effective Immediately

Gov. Wolf: Sec. of Health Signs Expanded Mask-Wearing Order
Masks Are Mandatory in All Public Spaces

Harrisburg, PA – Expanding on the business safety order signed by Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine in April that requires the wearing of masks in businesses, Governor Tom Wolf today announced a new order signed by Dr. Levine that takes the mask-wearing directive one step further.

With this order, signed under Dr. Levine’s authority under the Disease Prevention and Control Act, masks must be worn whenever anyone leaves home. The order takes effect immediately.

“This mask-wearing order is essential to stopping the recent increase in COVID-19 cases we have seen in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Wolf said. “Those hot spots can be traced to situations where Pennsylvanians were not wearing masks or practicing social distancing – two practices that must be adhered to if we want to maintain the freedoms we have in place under our reopening.”

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

Each of the state’s mitigation efforts has helped to slow the spread of COVID-19, kept our health care systems from being overwhelmed, and allowed for Gov. Wolf’s measured, phased reopening to proceed. But, with nearly every county is the green phase of reopening, complacency cannot be the norm.

“It is essential that Pennsylvanians wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “While cases increase in some areas, we cannot become complacent. My mask protects you, and your mask protects me. Wearing a mask shows that you care about others, and that you are committed to protecting the lives of those around you.”

More and more health experts have called for mask wearing, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who said during a June 30 Senate hearing on COVID-19, “Americans who don’t wear masks may ‘propagate the further spread of infection.’”

The mask-wearing order will be sent to state and local officials, law enforcement and others tasked with education about the order for those not in compliance.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 7/01/20: Beaver County up 9 Cases, No New Deaths

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 636 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 87,242

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., July 1, that there are 636 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 87,242. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

There are 6,687 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 38 new deaths. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here.

Locally in Beaver County we are up 9 cases since yesterday at 678. 658 confirmed cases and 20 probables. 6260 people have tested negative and the county stands at 78.

“As nearly the entire state is now in the green phase, we must remain committed to protecting against COVID-19,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach. However, the virus has not gone away. Each of us has a responsibility to continue to protect ourselves, our loved ones and others by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and washing our hands frequently. Together we can protect our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our essential workers and our healthcare system.”

Mask wearing is required in all businesses in all phases of reopening. Consistent mask wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

There are 633 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure, which are considered probable cases and not confirmed cases. There are 689,562 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 ages 0-4;
  • 1% are ages 5-12;
  • 2% are ages 13-18;
  • 7% are ages 19-24;
  • Nearly 37% are ages 25-49;
  • 24% are ages 50-64; and
  • 27% are ages 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 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 17,805 resident cases of COVID-19, and 3,291 cases among employees, for a total of 21,096 at 699 distinct facilities in 52 counties. Out of our total deaths, 4,583 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 6,636 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.

Currently, all 67 counties are in the yellow or green phase of reopening.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, June 30:

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
  • Clean surfaces frequently.
  • Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
  • If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.