Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,680 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 16,239

Harrisburg, PA-The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 8, that there are 1,680 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 16,239. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania now have cases of COVID-19. The department also reported 70 new deaths among positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 310. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here. All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital.

“Now more than ever, as we continue to see COVID-19 cases and deaths rise in Pennsylvania, we need Pennsylvanians to take action,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Those actions should be to stay calm, stay home and stay safe. If you must go out, please limit it to as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but other people as well. We need all Pennsylvanians to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and our healthcare workers and frontline responders.”

There are 82,299 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

• Less than 1% are aged 0-4;
• Nearly 1% are aged 5-12;
• 1% are aged 13-18;
• Nearly 7% are aged 19-24;
• 41% are aged 25-49;
• 29% are aged 50-64; and
• 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 7:

• Announced Pennsylvania State Police non-life-sustaining closure enforcement numbers.
• Ordered flags to fly at half-staff to honor of all COVID-19 victims.
• Joined community leaders in call to end COVID-19-related discrimination.
• Stressed the need for community volunteerism.

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

A breakdown by county is below:

Sanders drops 2020 bid, leaving Biden as likely nominee
By WILL WEISSERT Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Bernie Sanders, who saw his once strong lead in the Democratic primary evaporate as the party’s establishment lined swiftly up behind rival Joe Biden, has ended his presidential bid. His announcement Wednesday is an acknowledgment that the former vice president is too far ahead for him to have any reasonable hope of catching up.The Vermont senator’s announcement makes Biden the presumptive Democratic nominee to challenge President Donald Trump in November.

Judge: Death penalty on table for synagogue massacre suspect
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A federal judge has rejected a bid by the suspect in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting to have the death penalty removed as a potential sentencing option. Lawyers for Robert Bowers argued that capital punishment is unconstitutional. Senior District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose says in rulings Monday that courts have consistently upheld the constitutionality of the death penalty. Bowers is charged with killing 11 congregants at the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018. He has pleaded not guilty. No trial date has been set.

Former Eagles running back/returner Timmy Brown dies at 82
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Timmy Brown, a running back and kick returner who won an NFL championship with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960, has died. He was 82. The Eagles announced Tuesday that Brown died on Saturday. Brown was the first NFL player to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same game, doing it in a 24-23 win over Dallas on November 6, 1966. Brown was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 1996. He is sixth on the franchise’s all-time list for touchdowns with 62.

(Beaver, Pa.) In a press release sent to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano Brighton Rehab and Wellness Center has issued a  statement  that there has been a misunderstanding  that they want to clarify.  It stated:  By presuming every staff member and resident  may be positive  and treating symptoms and not test results , we are doing what we believe every  facility and every person  in the nation should do.

The release stated  that they aren’t saying  that every person in our facility is positive for  COVID-19.

We believe there is an  unidentifiable   percentage of people  who are inadvertently  spreading the virus  because they don’t have symptoms  and or/or tested negative, or no longer accurate  by the time tested are communicated.   We don’t believe  a negative test  means a person  hasn’t already had exposure  that will cause symptoms, , nor that a positive test  does not  meana peron will ever become ill.   We also strongly believe asymptomatic people  can transmit the virus to others.

We join with an increased number of health professionals who are urging all Americans  to presume you are poitive  and take action to prevent the virus  you may carry from spreading it to others.  We ask you to presume  that your seemingly health  neighbors  are positive as well.  We are asking this from each and every member of our staff and ask them to act  as if each  of them and every resident  may be positive  so that we slow the spread.

If someone does exhibit symptoms , we believe that person should be aggressively treated. We will continue some testing when necessary   for diagnostic purposes in order to  help determine appropriate treatment. The release goes on to say that  they will continue their vigilant efforts  to contain the virus.   We have been limiting visitors since the beginning, and taking all other recommended precautions, and as more information is known they will continue updating their strategy.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission announced Tuesday that the proposed changes have been approved for the 2020 hunting season.

Deer rifle deer season will begin on the Saturday November 28 which is two days earlier than the traditional Monday after Thanksgiving start to the season. There will also now be the addition of three Sundays for hunting November 15 during archery season and November 22 and 29 during rifle season. You can get more information by going to the Pennsylvania Game Commission Website

(Beaver County, Pa.) Storms tore through Beaver County and the surrounding area late last night. Approximately 50,000 people have been affected with power outages. Many Beaver County residents received a call around 1:00 a.m. from Emergency Services warning them that the area was under a Tornado warning after the National Weather Service spotted rotation on the radar just across the Ohio line. The call also warned residents of a Severe Thunderstorm Warning that could contain strong winds, Hail, rain, and strong lighting. The call warned residents to take shelter. There is also widespread damage being reported in Elllwood City where a tree fell along Glenn Ave. and reports say that A house collapsed on Hillside Avenue and the roof blew off Hall Industries. In Westmoreland County The roof of St. Mary of Czestochowa church on Kenneth Avenue in New Kensington was ripped apart during the storms. the National Weather Service is expected to conduct a site survey in the Apollo area where a tornado may have touched down.

(Robinson Twp.) Dick’s Sporting Goods announced yesterday that they will furlough “a significant number” of employees, starting this Saturday. Dick’s stores remain closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

Furloughed workers will be paid through Friday, and they will maintain company benefits if currently enrolled in the program.

Sales will continue online and through curbside pickup at Dick’s and Golf Galaxy stores. The company said it will operate for now with “small teams” of employees in stores, distribution centers and its corporate office, with many of those workers and executives taking pay cuts.