Category: News

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 06/18/20: Beaver County Up One Case No New Deaths

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 418 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 80,236

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 18, that there are 418 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 80,236. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

There are 6,361 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 42 new deaths. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here.

Locally in Beaver County we are up one new case to 616. 597 Cases Confirmed and 19 probables. 5038 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.

“With more than half of the state now in the green phase of the process to reopen, it is essential that we continue to take precautions to protect against COVID-19,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “The commonwealth’s careful, measured approach to reopening is working as we see case counts continue to decline even as many other states see increases. But 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 yellow and green phases of reopening. The importance of masks even in counties in the green phase could have lasting effects as a COVID-19 surge is possible this fall.

There are 630 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 543,832 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;
  • 6% are ages 19-24;
  • Nearly 37% are ages 25-49;
  • Nearly 25% are ages 50-64; and
  • 28% 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 16,850 resident cases of COVID-19, and 2,986 cases among employees, for a total of 19,836 at 649 distinct facilities in 47 counties. Out of our total deaths, 4,332 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 6,092 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 16:

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.

1.5 million more laid-off workers seek unemployment benefits

1.5 million more laid-off workers seek unemployment benefits
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — About 1.5 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, a historically high number, even as the economy increasingly reopens and employers bring some people back to work. The latest figure from the Labor Department marks the 11th straight weekly decline in applications since they peaked at nearly 7 million in March as the coronavirus shut down much of the economy and caused tens of millions of layoffs. The decline was much smaller than in recent weeks, falling just 58,000.

Jean Kennedy Smith dies at 92; last surviving sibling of JFK

Jean Kennedy Smith dies at 92; last surviving sibling of JFK
By MICHELLE R. SMITH Associated Press
Relatives say Jean Kennedy Smith, the youngest sister and last surviving sibling of President John F. Kennedy, has died at age 92. Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy confirmed to The Associated Press that his aunt had died. A daughter told The New York Times she died Wednesday at her Manhattan home. Smith served as ambassador to Ireland for five years under President Bill Clinton. She also founded an arts education program that supports artists with disabilities. She was the eighth of nine children born to Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy. Smith was viewed for much of her life as a quiet sister who shunned the spotlight.

Injunction extended against removing Lee statue in Virginia

Injunction extended against removing Lee statue in Virginia
By SARAH RANKIN Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A judge has indefinitely extended an injunction preventing the Virginia governor from removing a historic statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Richmond’s famed Monument Avenue. Richmond Circuit Court Judge Bradley Cavedo made the decision Thursday after hearing from attorneys for the state and for the plaintiff in a lawsuit against Gov Ralph Northam. He gave the plantiff another 21 days to refile a new complaint. The 12-ton 21-foot-tall statue has stood in a prominent spot along Monument Avenue since 1890. Northam ordered its removal earlier this month, citing the pain gripping the country over the death of George Floyd.

Prosecutor: Officer kicked Rayshard Brooks after shooting

Prosecutor: Officer kicked Rayshard Brooks after shooting
By KATE BRUMBACK Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) — Prosecutors say the Atlanta police officer who killed Rayshard Brooks kicked him after shooting him in the back and didn’t give him medical attention for more than two minutes. Officer Garrett Rolfe has been charged with murder. Prosecutors say Brooks grabbed a Taser from police and ran but fired it from too far away to reach the white officer. Rolfe’s lawyers say he feared for his safety and opened fire after hearing a sound “like a gunshot.” A second officer is charged with aggravated assault. The black man’s killing rocked a nation already roiling from George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.

Court tosses county ban on probationers using medical pot

Court tosses county ban on probationers using medical pot
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has struck down a county’s policy that forbade people on probation and other forms of supervision from using cannabis if they are registered in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program. The justices said Thursday that probationers holding a valid medical marijuana card are immune from punishment under the state’s medical marijuana law. Lebanon County’s court system had sought to prohibit medical marijuana use by people on probation and parole. The policy was challenged by three medical marijuana patients.

Federal agent shot, wounded during raid in Pittsburgh

Federal agent shot, wounded during raid in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A federal agent was shot and wounded while taking part in a raid in a Pittsburgh neighborhood. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed one of its agents was shot around 6 a.m. and he was treated at the scene by ATF medics. But the agent’s name and further information about his condition were not disclosed. A suspect was taken into custody at the scene. But further details about that person and the charges they may face were not released. Authorities said the wounded agent was taking part in a raid that involved several law enforcement agencies. But further information about the operation were not disclosed.

Longtime Pittsburgh Radio Talent Named As The New Host of Teleforum.

(Beaver County, PA). Beaver County Radio Program Director, Frank Sparks, has announced exciting programming changes at 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA and 99.3 F.M. Sparks is choosing to leave his post as the host of “Teleforum” (9A.M. to Noon) to become the full time news anchor at Beaver County Radio. The move opened up the option for Sparks to bring aboard Western Pennsylvania broadcaster and Beaver County resident, Eddy Crow, to serve as the new host of “Teleforum.”
Most recently Crow could be heard on KDKA-AM in Pittsburgh, hosting the show ‘Crowtopia.’ Crow began his Western Pennsylvania broadcasting career in 1996 at WDVE, and spent considerable time at ESPN, before working at KDKA. Eddy also maintains a presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, all at ‘CROWTOPIA’.
Beaver County Radio now airs on 7 platforms including 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 F.M. live streaming at beavercountyradio.com, Google Play Store App, iTunes App, and Amazon Alexa Smart Devices.

The regular weekday lineup that can be heard on Beaver County Radio as of June 22 includes:
6:30 to 9:00 A.M. – “A.M. Beaver County” with host Matt Drzik
9:00 A.M. to Noon – “Teleforum” with host Eddy Crow

Noon to 12:30 P.M. – “Noonday” with Frank Sparks
12:30 to 3:00 P.M. – The Dennis Prager Show (SRN network)
3:00 to 6:00 P.M. – “America First” with host Sebastian Gorka (SRN network)
6:00 to 9:00 P.M. – The Larry Elder Show (SRN network)
9:00 to Midnight – The Dan Proft Show (SRN)

Beaver County Radio is the only local, family owned and operated mass media company in Beaver County, PA.

For more information contact Frank Sparks at 724-846-4100.

 

Female Juvenile Shot In Aliquippa

(Sandy Giordano/Beaver County Radio)
A female juvenile, age 15, was shot in  the area of the Linmar Homes Housing Complex at 1:20 a.m. this morning.
Aliquippa police were dispatched to the area for a report of a female with a gunshot wound.  They requested state police to assist them, and the victim was flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital for treatment.
Anyone with information on  the shooting is asked to contact PSP, Beaver 724-773-7400.

Shooting in Aliquippa Wednesday Evening June 17, 2020

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Last night at 6:25 p.m. Aliquippa police were dispatched to the area of 300 Superior Avenue  after a report was received that a 21 year old black male had been shot.  Aliquippa police were given a description of the suspect’s vehicle  and attempted to stop the vehicle .State police were called in to assist.  The operator, according to PA State Police, fled on foot, and in doing so, discarded narcotics. Vershaw Cortaze Bell, 21, Braddock, PA  shortly after, and  a loaded handgun was found in the vehicle.  The victim, Robert Crute was transported to Sewickley Hospital by private vehicle, and then was flown to AGH for multiple gunshot wounds. He is listed in stable condition at this time.

Bell was charged by state police with aggravated assault, robbery, possession with intent to deliver and other related offenses.  He is lodged in the Beaver County Jail.
A state police spokesman said the case is ongoing.