Canada, US extend border restrictions to July 21.
By ROB GILLIES Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) — Canada and the US have agreed to extend their agreement to keep their border closed to non-essential travel to July 21 during the coronavirus pandemic. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday’s agreement extends the closure by another 30 days. The restrictions were announced on March 18 and were extended in April and May. Americans who are returning to the U.S. and Canadians who are returning to Canada are exempted from the border closure.

Pennsylvania sees 3rd straight day of under 400 infections
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State data shows Pennsylvania has recorded a third straight day of under 400 new positive coronavirus tests, the longest such stretch since new cases began regularly exceeding that level in late March. Still, the number of people dying from it daily remains in the dozens. Officials on Tuesday reported 33 additional deaths and 362 new positive cases. That brings Pennsylvania’s totals to nearly 80,000 cases and 6,276 deaths since early March. Of those, 75% have recovered. The number of infections is thought to be far higher than the state’s confirmed case count because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected without feeling sick.

Locally in Beaver County we do not any new cases and remain at 613. 594 Cases Confirmed and 19 probables. 4918 people have tested negative and the remains at 77 deaths.

In the 3 Nursing homes in the county that are reporting positive cases there are 392 positive cases. 43 employees have tested positive, and the death toll remains at 82.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 323 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 79,121

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 15, that there are 323 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 79,121.

There are 6,243 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 28 new deaths.

Locally in Beaver County we do not have two new cases to 613. 594 Cases Confirmed and 19 probables. 4918 people have tested negative and the county is up 2 deaths at 77.

In the 3 Nursing homes in the county that are reporting positive cases there are 392 positive cases. 42 employees have tested positive, and the death toll remains at 82.

Gov. Wolf: State’s Measured, Phased Reopening Plan Succeeding as Other States See Cases Rise

Harrisburg, PA – As Pennsylvania continues to implement Governor Tom Wolf’s Process to Reopen PA, the state is also among a select few with a steady decline in cases, a positive indicator that the state’s phased, measured reopening plan is working to balance public health with economic recovery.

According to data analysis from Johns Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Resource Center data, Pennsylvania’s steady decline in cases since a peak in mid-April is particularly important as more counties reopen. The latest report indicates Pennsylvania is among the states with a sustained decline in cases over the past two weeks, an important indicator that reopening plans are measured and thoughtful.

In an Associated Press analysis, more than half the states in the U.S. are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases as reopening begins. Pennsylvania is not among them. Many other states are experiencing significant case increases tied to reopening too soon or too much.

“Pennsylvania’s measured, phased process to reopen is successful because of its cautious approach that includes factors relying on science, the advice of health experts and that asks everyone to do something as simple as wearing a mask when inside or around others outside the home,” Governor Tom Wolf said. “We will continue to move forward cautiously.”

A Tableau Public analysis of states using four primary factors: daily tests, daily positive tests, current hospitalizations, and daily deaths shows Pennsylvania with a significant increase in tests accompanied by steep declines in positive cases, hospitalizations and deaths since a peak in mid-April. And while the country as a whole is seeing declines in cases, hospitalizations and deaths, many states are seeing increases that are cause for concern as reopening widens.

Mask-wearing has proven to be an important deterrent to the spread of the virus.

A recent study from Cambridge and Greenwich universities in the United Kingdom found that cloth masks, “even homemade masks with limited effectiveness can dramatically reduce transmission rates if worn by enough people, regardless of whether they show symptoms.”

The study also notes that mask-wearing will be especially important as a possible second wave of the virus could occur in the fall.

Pennsylvania has urged mask-wearing throughout its response to the pandemic and even as counties reach the green phase of reopening, masks are still required when entering businesses and encouraged for use in any space where social distancing is difficult to maintain. The state’s business guidance outlines mask-wearing for both employees and customers.

“Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine has said it countless times, ‘My mask protects you and your mask protects me,’ and that is important for all Pennsylvanians to remember as we continue a successful and safe reopening of the state,” Gov. Wolf said.

For more information on COVID-19 cases, visit the data dashboard here.

(File Photo from 2019 Beaver Falls Car Cruise)

Story by Beaver County Radio’s Frank Sparks

(Beaver, Pa.) Another of the Many traditional events in Beaver County has been cancelled because of the Corona Virus. The Hot Summer Nights Car Cruise in Beaver has been canceled. The cruise was scheduled for Saturday August 1, 2020.

The decision was made after the committee heard of Gov. Wolf’s restrictions on large events with more than 250 people through Labor Day. The cruise annually draws between 2,000 and 3,000 antique and classic cars, and around 10,000 spectators.

The Beaver Falls Car Cruise is still set for Saturday September 12, 2020 and the committee is set to make a final decision after the fourth of July Holiday.

New Brighton Borough Manager Tom Albanese told Beaver County Radio that the New Brighton Car Cruise is still on for Saturday August 22, 2020

Story by Beaver County Radio’s Frank Sparks

(Beaver County, Pa.) Beaver County Officially hit the green phase at 12:01 am this morning. The green phase eases most restrictions by lifting the stay-at-home and business closure orders to allow the economy to strategically reopen while continuing to prioritize public health.

While this phase facilitates a return to a “new normal,” it is equally important to continue to monitor public health indicators and adjust orders and restrictions as necessary to ensure the spread of disease remains at a minimum. The Big question? What exactly can and can’t we do in the green phase?

Work and Congregate Settings Restrictions

• Continued Telework Strongly Encouraged
• Businesses with In-Person Operations Must Follow Updated Business and Building Safety Requirements
• All Businesses Operating at 50% Occupancy in the Yellow Phase May Increase to 75% Occupancy
• Child Care May Open Complying with Guidance
• Congregate Care Restrictions in Place
• Prison and Hospital Restrictions Determined by Individual Facilities
• Schools Subject to CDCand Commonwealth Guidance

Social Restrictions

• Large Gatherings of More Than 250 Prohibited
• Masks Are Required When Entering a Business
• Restaurants and Bars Open at 50% Occupancy
• Personal Care Services (including hair salons and barbershops) Open at 50% Occupancy and by Appointment Only
• Indoor Recreation, Health and Wellness Facilities, and Personal Care Services (such as gyms and spas) Open at 50% Occupancy with Appointments Strongly Encouraged
• All Entertainment (such as casinos, theaters, and shopping malls) Open at 50% Occupancy
• Construction Activity May Return to Full Capacity with Continued Implementation of Protocols

Alarming rise in virus cases as states roll back lockdowns
By MIKE STOBBE AP Medical Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Coronavirus cases are rising in nearly half the U.S. states. And while many are chalked up to increased testing or to small, local outbreaks, others are more alarming. In Arizona, hospitals were notified over the weekend to prepare for the worst amid surges across the state. And the governor of North Carolina says recent jumps have caused him to rethink plans to reopen schools or businesses. Texas and Utah are among the states that have also been identified as worrisome hot spots. What’s tricky is sorting out exactly why different surges are happening. The answer may vary from state to state, and even from county to county, some experts say.

‘We need help’: Small cities face fiscal calamity from virus
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Unfilled potholes, uncollected trash, un-mowed grass and, most significantly, fewer cops on the street are some of what the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania, says it’s facing unless Washington helps it plug a multimillion-dollar budget hole left by the pandemic. Allentown is one of thousands of smaller cities and counties across the U.S. that were cut off from direct aid in the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package. They’re now pleading for a massive cash infusion from the federal government to help stave off financial calamity. Says Allentown City Council member Ce-Ce Gerlach: “So something needs to be done. We need help.”

Wolf Administration Provides Guidance to Resume High School and Other Summer Sports

Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration today issued preliminary guidance for high school and recreational sports teams to resume voluntary workouts and other in-person activities in the state’s yellow and green phases. The guidance includes college and professional sports.

“Pennsylvania has some of the best athletes and teams in the country and they can now begin to safely return to organized sports,” said Gov. Wolf. This guidance balances keeping student athletes safe from COVID-19 while allowing them to participate in an important part of their lives.

“This is another step toward reopening our state and getting things back on track. As students and teammates get ready to train and compete, it’s important that they follow precautions to protect each other and their community from the risk of COVID-19.”

The preliminary guidance is a starting point for summer sports teams and the Wolf Administration will continue to work with stakeholders. The guidance for fall, winter and spring sports seasons may be updated.

Public and private K-12 schools under the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) and the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PISAA) in the yellow and green phase can resume voluntary sports-related workouts. Schools must first develop an athletic health and safety plan in alignment with the Department of Education’s Preliminary Guidance for Phased Reopening of Schools guidance, that is approved by the local board of directors and posted on the school’s website.

Recreational and amateur sports teams in the green phase that are not affiliated with a K-12 school can hold in-person activities, including games and practices. Examples include basketball, hockey, field hockey, football, soccer, swimming, baseball, softball, lacrosse, gymnastics and kickball. Youth sports organizations should follow CDC guidelines.

Gatherings of all participants, including players, athletic staff, officials and spectators are limited to 25 in the yellow phase and 250, or 50 percent capacity, in the green phase, as outlined in the Process to Reopen Pennsylvania.

League and team staff must review CDC guidance for youth sports. Coaches and other adult personnel should wear face coverings and screen athletes for symptoms before practices and games. All participants must follow safe hygiene and social distancing practices, avoid unnecessary physical contact, and clean and disinfect equipment and facilities. Teams are encouraged to stagger drop-off and pick-up times at outdoor locations and designate entrances and exits to facilities.

Parents and other spectators should practice social distancing, wear face coverings and not enter the field or bench areas. Parents should monitor children for COVID-19 symptoms and evaluate children at higher risk for severe illnesses.

College sports sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), including intramural and club sports, can resume in-person activity after developing an athletic health and safety plan in alignment with PDE’s Postsecondary Education Institutions and Adult Education Programs guidance.

Professional sports can resume immediately. Teams or leagues in the yellow phase, or if more than 250 people are on site in the green phase, must have a COVID-19 safety plan approved by the Department of Health.

The guidance released today provides additional information. 

The Wolf Administration also updated guidance on outdoor recreation today and previously released summer guidance for camps, pools, and child care.

All counties are in the yellow or green phase.

Pennsylvania orders hospitals to protect workers from virus
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania hospitals will be required to replace soiled or damaged respirators on request, require universal masking and take other steps to protect health care workers from the new coronavirus under an order issued Tuesday by the state health secretary. With unionized nurses raising the alarm about hazardous working conditions, Health Secretary Rachel Levine pledged to “deliver a safer environment” for health care workers on the front lines of the pandemic. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 death toll passed 6,000 as the Health Department reported 61 additional deaths linked to the disease. Since early March, infections have been confirmed in more than 76,400 people in Pennsylvania.