U.S. Army Medical Task Force Joins Battle Against COVID-19 in PA

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Department of State announced recently that a U.S. Army Reserve task force of 85 medical specialists has arrived in Pennsylvania to assist civilian health care professionals with the care of coronavirus patients. They will be deployed wherever they are needed.

“We are extremely grateful to have these highly skilled military medical professionals serving on the frontlines, side-by-side with our brave civilian health care practitioners, as we wage war against this highly contagious and life-threatening virus,” Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said.

The Army has mobilized 1,275 Reserve medical specialists into 15 “Urban Augmentation Medical Task Forces” to reinforce civilian health care in areas that are experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases.

Each medical task force consists of 14 physicians, including an infectious disease specialist and four respiratory specialists; 16 medics; 13 nurses; five physician assistants; two dentists; four pharmacists; two clinical psychologists; one psychiatrist; two occupational therapy specialists; four dietitians and other supporting staff that can perform low-triage care and test for COVID-19.

The first members of the unit arrived in Pennsylvania on April 16 to visit sites and coordinate with the commonwealth’s departments of State, Health, Human Services, Military and Veterans Affairs, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. This advance visit ensured the full unit could move swiftly into action once they arrived.

This task force will fall under the control of the dual status command recently established within the Pa. National Guard.

“This is a great example of how different areas of federal and state government can seamlessly combine during an emergency to aid our citizens,” said Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “The Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force will provide a tremendous capability to supplement the critical medical staff within our most affected areas of the commonwealth.”

The Department of State (DOS) waived certain professional licensing requirements to ensure that these military medical professionals, who already hold a license in at least one state or a federal license from the United States Armed Forces, can lawfully provide medical and other health care services in Pennsylvania.

The military occupational specialties of most members of the unit fall under existing Pennsylvania statutes that exempt them from the state’s licensure requirements. This includes physicians, dietitians, registered nurses, psychologists, physical therapists and occupational therapists.

For those specialists who did not immediately qualify under existing statutes and regulations – including practical nurses, dentists and pharmacists – DOS requested, and Governor Wolf granted, a waiver to allow them to practice in Pennsylvania as long as they are employed by the armed forces, the U.S. Public Health Service, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the federal government.

DOS also has waived any statutory or regulatory provisions that might prohibit a physician from delegating performance of medical services to medics and other technicians serving in the military. Such delegation will expand the pool of technicians available to work in hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities and other facilities during the expected surge in COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania.

Secretary Boockvar noted that this medical task force’s deployment aligns with an important DOS initiative that was in development before the pandemic.

“Our professional licensing staff has been working with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to develop an ‘occupational crosswalk’ for military veterans,” she said. “This crosswalk will help Pennsylvania veterans translate their military education, training, skills and certifications into licensing credentials that will make it easier to transition from military to civilian employment.”

The DOS website www.dos.pa.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Waivers.aspx will be updated regularly as additional waiver information becomes available. Licensees with questions should contact their profession’s board www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/Pages/Board-Contacts.aspx via the email addresses on the DOS website.

CBO says deficit to reach $3.7 trillion in economic decline
By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic and a burst of government spending on testing, health care and aid to businesses and households will nearly quadruple the government’s budget deficit to $3.7 trillion. That’s according to the Congressional Budget Office. The CBO says the 2020 budget deficit will explode after four coronavirus response bills passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump. Those bills promise to pile more than $2 trillion onto the $24.6 trillion national debt in just the remaining six months of the current fiscal year.

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray is helping Pittsburgh Police officers fill their stomachs. Murray has opened up a $5,000 tab at the Primanti Bros. location in downtown Pittsburgh’s Market Square for officers as they continue to work on the frontlines of the Coronavirus pandemic.

A statement issued by Murray in a press release from the Pens said, “I want to thank the people on the front lines who put themselves at risk every day to keep us safe.”  The tab opened yesterday, all officers will have to do to pick up their order in person and present their badge.

Right now, during the pandemic, Primanti Bros. is offering pick-up service only, but orders can be placed in person or by calling ahead.

Geography and population complicate Pennsylvania’s reopening
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
Some regions of Pennsylvania are tantalizingly close to escaping some pandemic restrictions. Other parts could have a long way to go before residents and businesses begin getting back to normal. An analysis by The Associated Press shows how Pennsylvania’s sprawling geography and highly variable population density are playing a huge role in determining when to allow a gradual reopening. Gov. Tom Wolf has said rural northern Pennsylvania is likely to begin moving out from under his shutdown orders on May 8. It’s a different story in densely populated eastern Pennsylvania, where new virus infections are happening at a much higher rate.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,599 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 38,652

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 24, that there are 1,599 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 38,652. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

Today, the state is reporting 1,492 confirmed deaths in Pennsylvania. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here. All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.

Locally in Beaver County we are up 18 cases to 337 cases. 1798 people have tested negative and the county remains at 46 deaths

In the 3 Nursing homes in the county that are reporting positive cases there is 204 positive cases an increase of 11 from Thursday. 16 employees have now tested positive and the deaths remain at 39

“As we see the number of new COVID-19 cases continuously change across the state that does not mean we can stop practicing social distancing,” Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families and our community. If you must go out, please make as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but others. We need all Pennsylvanians to continue to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our health care workers and frontline responders.”

There are 147,491 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;
• 1% are aged 13-18;
• Nearly 6% are aged 19-24;
• 38% are aged 25-49;
• Nearly 28% are aged 50-64; and
• 25% 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.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 6,153 resident cases of COVID-19, and 726 cases among employees, for a total of 6,879 at 418 distinct facilities in 40 counties. Out of our total deaths, 903 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

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

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, April 23:

• Issued guidance for construction industry to resume work May 1.
• Provided an update from Pennsylvania State Police on business closure enforcement actions.

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

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

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials
• Map with the number of COVID-19 cases

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.

 

Wolf pushed to let garden centers open as planting begins
By MARC LEVY and MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — With outdoor planting season here for parts of Pennsylvania, Republican state lawmakers are pressing Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration to allow garden centers to open even while the state is shut down to contain the spread of the coronavirus. On Friday, four Republican state senators said they’ll introduce legislation to force Wolf’s administration to issue waivers for garden centers to reopen. Meanwhile, hundreds more state-owned liquor stores will open for curbside pickup starting Monday, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced. Also Friday, Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 reported death toll rose by 71 to 1,492, with about 1,600 additional people testing positive for the virus that causes the disease.

(File Photo)

(Beaver, Pa.) Beaver County Commissioners during their regularly scheduled meeting yesterday approved contracts to begin the process of refinancing old bonds and obtaining new money.

The Commissioners continued to meet virtually on the Beaver County website with only media present at the meeting due to the COVID-19. Chief county solicitor Garen Fedeles said early estimates indicate that the board plans to refinance about $20 million in previously obtained money while taking out an additional $20 million in debt. About $13 million would be used for capital improvements recommended during the recent Consultation Energy  audit of the county’s properties. An additional $7 million will be used to pay for the court-ordered property reassessment.

Fedeles said the exact numbers for the three bonds will be determined later in the process.

Canada mass shooting erupted from argument, official says
By ROB GILLIES Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) — A Canadian police official says the country’s worst mass shooting erupted from an argument between the gunman and his girlfriend, who survived the attack. The official confirmed to The Associated Press late Thursday that the weekend rampage stemmed from a domestic dispute involving the couple. The official said more details will be provided at a new conference Friday. The suspect was shot to death Sunday morning, about 13 hours after the attacks began. Police have identified him as 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman. They say he acted alone.

Republicans leap to reopen economy; Democrats more cautious
By MEG KINNARD Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Mostly Republican governors in a handful of states are racing ahead with reboots to their economy before they have met key health benchmarks recommended to control the coronavirus outbreak. Their approach stands in contrast to numerous Democratic governors who continue to maintain a cautious approach to reopening and have said they will base their decisions primarily on public health data. Governors pushing to fast-track their economic rebounds say they don’t want to endanger their residents, but numerous public health experts say that is what could happen if they don’t slow down.