Category: News

Pa. Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 6/17/20: Beaver County up Two Positive Cases, No New Deaths

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 335 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 79,818

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 17, that there are 335 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 79,818. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

There are 6,319 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 43 new deaths. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here.

Locally in Beaver County we are up two new cases t0 615. 596 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.”

There are 629 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 533,013 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 16,774 resident cases of COVID-19, and 2,966 cases among employees, for a total of 19,740 at 649 distinct facilities in 47 counties. Out of our total deaths, 4,331 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 6,060 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 15:

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.

Joe Biden again hits Pennsylvania as he sticks close to home

Joe Biden again hits Pennsylvania as he sticks close to home
By WILL WEISSERT and ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press
DARBY, Penn. (AP) — Joe Biden is returning to the battleground state of Pennsylvania as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee intensifies his criticism of the Trump administration’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak. Last week, Biden was in Philadelphia to unveil a multifaceted plan he said would gradually reopen the economy, increasing growth while not putting business owners or consumers at unnecessary risk. The former vice president promised that, if elected, he would guarantee testing for the virus and protective equipment to guard against its spread for people called back to work. Biden’s Wednesday appearance is in Darby, near the Philadelphia airport and about half an hour’s drive from his home in Wilmington, Delaware.

Pa. Health Department asks court to shut down Carlisle auto show

Health Department asks court to shut down Carlisle auto show
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Health Department is asking a state court to shut down an auto show set to begin Wednesday that typically draws about 100,000 people due to coronavirus concerns. The agency filed a request for an injunction against Carlisle Events to stop the Spring Carlisle event that runs through Saturday from being held. The lawsuit calls the show dangerous and says it needs to be stopped. A spokesman for Carlisle Events says the legal filing is under review and is declining to comment about it. But he says the organizer has put in place COVID-19 prevention measures and doesn’t expect its typical crowd this year.

Aunt Jemima brand retired by Quaker due to racial stereotype

Aunt Jemima brand retired by Quaker due to racial stereotype
NEW YORK (AP) — Quaker Oats is retiring the 131-year-old Aunt Jemima brand, saying the company recognizes the character’s origins are “based on a racial stereotype.” Quaker said it’s overhauled pancake mix and syrup will hit shelves by the fourth quarter of 2020. The company will announce the new name at a later date.  Kristin Kroepfl of Quaker Foods North America said Wednesday that the company has worked over the years to update the brand, but realizes that it hasn’t been enough. Earlier this year, Land O’Lakes said it would removed images of a Native American woman from its packaging.

Pa State Rep Aaron Bernstine on Teleforum at 11:10 Today to Talk a Resolution of Impeachment Articles against Gov. Wolf

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Tune into 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 FM, and beavercountyradio.com at 11:10 a.m. today. Pa State Rep. Aaron Bersntine will join Frank Sparks on Teleforum today to talk about a resolution that he is co-sponsoring by Pa. State Rep Daryl Metcalf to introduce “Articles of Impeachment” against Pa. Gov Tom Wolf.  You can join the conversation by calling 724-843-1888 or 724-774-1888. You can listen online by clicking the link below:

$157.5 Million Now Available for School Health and Safety Grants to Address COVID-19

Gov. Wolf: $157.5 Million Now Available for School Health and Safety Grants to Address COVID-19

Harrisburg, PA — Governor Tom Wolf announced today that The School Safety and Security Committee (SSSC) within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has approved the opening of two funding announcements totaling $157.5 million that school entities are immediately eligible to apply for to address COVID-19-related health and safety needs for the 2020-2021 school year. Information about the grants and the application process can be found on PCCD’s School Safety and Security webpage.

“Schools have had to bear a significant operational and financial burden in responding to COVID-19,” Gov. Wolf said. “With the safety and well-being of students at the forefront of their response, this funding is intended to ease some of that burden.”

With the recent passage of Act 30 of 2020 on June 5, a total of $150 million in federal CARES Act funding was transferred to PCCD to be distributed to school districts, area career and technical centers, intermediate units, charter schools, regional charter schools and cyber charter schools to support COVID-19 Disaster Emergency School Health and Safety Grants.  Awards are to be made to over 770 eligible school entities per the formula distribution included in Act 30.

Another $7.5 million was allocated to PCCD to support COVID-19 Disaster Emergency Targeted School Health and Safety Grants for the 2020-2021 school year. Funding will be awarded by the SSSC to intermediate units applying on behalf of nonpublic schools for targeted grants to address COVID-19-related health and safety needs.

Eligible uses for the funding include the purchase of cleaning and sanitizing products; training and professional development of staff on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases; equipment purchases; modifying existing areas to support appropriate social distancing of students and staff; providing mental health services and supports; purchasing educational technology for distance learning; and other health and safety programs, items or services necessary to address the COVID-19 disaster emergency.

Per Act 30, school entities are required to apply with PCCD no later than June 30, 2020, to be eligible to receive their funding by July 15, 2020.  Intermediate units must apply on behalf of nonpublic schools in their area no later than July 8, 2020, in order to be eligible to receive awards no later than August 1, 2020.

More information about the Committee, its work, these solicitations and other grant opportunities can be found on PCCD’s School Safety and Security webpage.

Pa. Dept. of L&I Holding Unemployment Compensation Virtual Town Hall on Thursday June 18, 2020

L&I Holding Unemployment Compensation Virtual Town Hall on Thursday
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) is hosting a live virtual town hall from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM this Thursday, June 18, 2020, to share information about Pennsylvania’s regular unemployment compensation (UC) and other new COVID-19-related benefits programs.

How to participate

A livestream for people with smart devices or computer access will be online at https://access.live/PAlabor. Those without internet access can listen by calling 1-833-380-0719, however access is limited so we ask that they be reserved for individuals who need them.

Participants will be able to ask questions live during the town hall. At the beginning of the event, the moderator will explain how to submit questions. To protect participants’ personal confidential information, questions about individual claims cannot be answered during the town hall.

Pennsylvania has implemented all of the new programs under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act:

Unemployment Benefits Statistics
Since mid-March, nearly $16.6 billion in benefits has been paid to claimants:
  • $8.4 billion from regular UC
  • $6.9 billion from FPUC
  • $1.2 billion from PUA
  • $94 million from PEUC

Improving Customer Service

  • L&I UC staff has worked more than 147,000 overtime hours since mid-March.
  • UC service center staffing levels have also increased 80 percent since March 15:
    • We’ve added 312 new employees, bringing the total of UC service center staff to 1,491.
    • We’ve added 358 additional state employees who have been reassigned from other offices/agencies to assist in UC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recordings of prior public town halls are available here. Additional unemployment benefits information is available on L&I’s website, Facebook or Twitter.

 

Harmony Road Drainage Improvements Begin Wednesday in Daugherty Township

Harmony Road Drainage Improvements Begin Wednesday in Daugherty Township

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing drainage improvement work on Harmony Road in Daugherty Township, Beaver County, will begin Wednesday, June 17 weather permitting.

Drainage improvements including cross pipe installation in various locations will begin at 7 a.m. Wednesday morning on Harmony Road between Blockhouse Run Road and Dogwood Drive. To allow the work to occur, the roadway will close to traffic weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the construction area through late July.  Traffic will be detoured.

Posted Detour

West of the closure

  • From Harmony Road, take Blockhouse Run Road (Route 1031) north
  • Turn right onto Wises Grove Road (Route 1014)
  • Turn right onto Dogwood Drive (Route 1029)
  • Follow Dogwood Drive back to Harmony Road
  • End detour

East of the closure

  • Same detour in the opposite direction

Crews from PennDOT will conduct the roadway improvement work.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 950 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Tw

Gov. Wolf Employee of the Month at Ohio BBQ

         An Ohio BBQ Restaurant has named Pa. Gov Tom Wolf their            employee of the month.

          Breakwall BBQ in Conneaut Ohio broke sales records for the Ohio resteraunt and they attribute it to Gov Tom Wolf’s Closure orders in Pa. and the fact that Pennsylvanians are traveling across the boarder to eat in their Ohio facility where the restrictions are not in place. Breakwall made the Tongue and Cheek Comment on their Facebook page saying “Also want to give a shout out to our employee of the month, Pennsylvania’s very own Governor Wolf .. you the man sir!”

Earnhardt Jr. headlines NASCAR’s 2021 Hall of Fame class

Earnhardt Jr. headlines NASCAR’s 2021 Hall of Fame class
By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer
Longtime fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. will join his late father in NASCAR’s Hall of Fame next year, the feature attraction in the class of 2021. Junior won 26 races during his Cup career, including two Daytona 500s and the 2001 Pepsi 400 — four months after his father’s death at the same track in February. The late Mike Stefanik also was elected along with Red Farmer from the pioneer ballot. Ralph Seagraves was chosen as the Landmark Award winner for outstanding contributions to the sport.