(Beaver, Pa.) In a press release sent to Beaver County Radio the Beaver County Commissioners made the following statement: “The Beaver County Board of Commissioners want to publicly reiterate their emphatic support of Shell Chemicals and the ethane cracker plant being constructed in Potter Township. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has led the Commissioners to unanimously support the temporary work stoppage at the site, the Board also unanimously condemns the politically motivated letters being circulated by groups known ardently oppose to the Shell project.

These letters are distasteful and transparently political in motivation. Such ploys that have no place in the middle of a pandemic, the likes of which our nation has never seen. Now is a time to come together as community and nation, not divide and play politics.

Pennsylvania residents told to wear masks in public
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MARC LEVY Associated Press
Pennsylvania’s governor says residents should wear a cloth mask in public to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Gov. Tom Wolf notes the federal government is readying guidance on the wearing of masks. He urged Pennsylvanians on Friday to make their own masks and wear them when they go to the grocery store, pharmacy or other places where people congregate. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported more than 1,400 additional people have tested positive for the virus, bringing the total number to over 8,420. There were 12 new deaths for a statewide toll of 102.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,404 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 8,420

Harrisburg, PA- The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 3, that there are 1,404 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 8,420 in 63 counties. The department also reported 12 new deaths among positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 102. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here. All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.

In Beaver County there are 65 confirmed cases, an increase of ten since yesterday and the deaths still stand at 2.

“The continued rise in cases combined with our increasing deaths from COVID-19 reflects the seriousness of this situation,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We need everyone to listen to the orders in place and to stay calm, stay home and stay safe. We know that these prolonged mitigation effects have been difficult for everyone, but it is essential that everyone follows these orders and does not go out unless they absolutely must.”

There are 53,695 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;
• 8% are aged 19-24;
• Nearly 41% are aged 25-49;
• Nearly 29% are aged 50-64; and
• Nearly 20% 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.

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

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, April 2:

• Announced Pennsylvania State Police non-life-sustaining business closure enforcement numbers.

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.

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.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Nate Wardle, Health, 717-787-1783 or ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov

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US sheds most jobs in a decade, ending record hiring streak
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — A record-long streak of U.S. job growth ended suddenly in March after nearly a decade as employers cut 701,000 jobs because of the viral outbreak that’s all but shut down the U.S. economy.  The unemployment rate jumped to 4.4% from a 50-year low of 3.5%. Last month’s actual job loss was likely even larger because the government surveyed employers before the heaviest layoffs hit in the past two weeks. Nearly 10 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits in the last two weeks of March, far exceeding the figure for any corresponding period on record.

Democrats elevate health care as virus-era campaign argument
By ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are zeroing in on health care as one of the few issues that might resonate among Americans who have largely shelved election year politics as they focus on protecting their families from the spreading coronavirus. Joe Biden, the prospective Democratic nominee, is blasting President Donald Trump for refusing to reopen “Obamacare” enrollment. Congressional candidates are slamming Republicans for not doing enough to protect access to health coverage. And on Capitol Hill, Democratic leaders are pushing for the next cornavirus response legislation. Democrats were always going to focus on health care after the issue helped them retake control of the House in 2018. But the coronavirus pandemic has added new urgency to the push.

Stocks pull lower after wavering earlier; crude oil climbs
By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are falling in morning trading on Wall Street, putting the S&P 500 on track for its third down week in the last four. But the losses are much milder than what’s rocked investors the last couple months. The government reported that more than 700,000 jobs were lost last month, but investors were fully expecting to see dismal jobs numbers. The S&P 500 and other major U.S. stock indexes were down close to 1% after earlier flipping between gains and losses. Gains for oil moderated in the morning, which undercut an early-morning rally for energy stocks.

With parks closed, Disney starts furloughs in 2 weeks
By MIKE SCHNEIDER Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Walt Disney Co. officials announced they’ll start furloughing some workers in two weeks at its theme parks resorts in Florida and California. The company said late Thursday the first wave of furloughs will start April 19 and involve workers whose jobs aren’t necessary at this time. Anyone who’s furloughed will remain a Disney employee. The statement didn’t say how many of Walt Disney World’s 75,000 employees or Disneyland’s 31,000 workers would be furloughed. The company has been paying workers and providing health care benefits at its theme park resorts since the parks closed in mid-March due to coronavirus concerns.

Small biz rescue off to spotty start; some banks not ready
By KEN SWEET, JOYCE ROSENBERG and RYAN J. FOLEY The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — The federal government’s relief program for small businesses is off to a bumpy start, with few businesses able to apply and some big banks saying they’re not ready to process applications. Millions of small businesses are expected to apply for these desperately needed rescue loans from the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program, which was put in place to help them retain workers and pay bills during the coronavirus pandemic. Some large lenders like Wells Fargo, Huntington Bank and Bank of America said Friday that they are ready to go. Others like JPMorgan Chase said they wouldn’t accept applications, citing lack of guidance from the Treasury Department.

Child dies, several people hurt when fire roars through home
ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AP) — A fast-moving fire has roared through an Ohio home, killing a child and injuring several other people. The fire in Zanesville was reported around 10:45 a.m. Thursday. A witness reported hearing an explosion moments before the two-story home was engulfed in flames. But authorities say the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Some children in the home reportedly escaped the flames by climbing out a second-story window. Authorities say some of those who escaped and two Muskingum County sheriff deputies were treated at hospitals for undisclosed injuries. The body of the child who died was found after the flames were extinguished.