(Chippewa Twp., Pa.) Giant Eagle is reporting through a press statement that a fourth employee has tested positive for the Coronavirus. The employee worked at the Chippewa Giant Eagle location on Constitution Blvd. in Chippewa. Giant Eagle had three other employees that tested positive that worked at locations in New Kensington, North Huntingdon, Wexford, Altoona and a Get Go in Ohio. Giant Eagle also announced yesterday that they will only be allowing 50 percent of allowable customers in the store under each locations fire code for occupancy. The employee who tested positive at the Chippewa location last worked on March 30.

Gov. Wolf Orders Flags to Half-Staff to Honor COVID-19 Victims

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf ordered commonwealth flags on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds fly at half-staff until further notice to honor the victims of the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic.

“Too many Pennsylvanians have lost their lives to COVID-19, and, unfortunately, many more will die,” said Gov. Wolf. “Already we have lost friends, parents, grandparents, and siblings. We have lost first responders. We have lost community members. Each of these Pennsylvanians is irreplaceable. Each deserves to be honored individually for their contributions to our commonwealth, but this cruel disease will not give us a respite to mourn.

“This virus prevents us from honoring the dead at traditional gatherings. We cannot have funerals, wakes, or sit shiva. I hope this flag lowering provides some solace to the grieving families and friends. And, I hope it serves as a reminder of the reason for the sacrifices Pennsylvanians are making to help their community survive this crisis.”

Commonwealth flags should be lowered to half-staff until a date to be announced after the pandemic passes. All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute.

Navy boss resigns amid uproar over firing of ship captain
By LOLITA C. BALDOR and ROBERT BURNS Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Mark Esper says the acting civilian leader of the Navy, Thomas Modly, has resigned. He says in a written statement that Modly, who has been the acting Navy secretary since last November, resigned of his own accord. Modly had publicly apologized Monday for his upbraiding of the officer he fired as captain of the coronavirus-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt. Modly’s designated replacement will be James McPherson, a Navy veteran who is currently serving as undersecretary of the Army. The leadership crisis comes as the Navy struggles with COVID-19 on land and at sea.

(Beaver, Pa) In a press release sent to Beaver County Radio, Beaver County Commissioners Chairman Dan Camp stated that “We are aware through media of reports of the issues confronting the residents, staff, and management o the Brighton Rehab and Wellness Center. To date , the only requests mad from Brighton Rehab of the County was through our Emergency Management Department requesting personal protective equipment  (PPE) which was forwarded to PEMA. One of those requests has already been fulfilled and the other was recently submitted over the weekend. This is not a county facility and therefore the Beaver County Board of Commissioners has no oversight of its operations,but certainly will offer any assistance we can if requested.”

Stay tune to Beaver County Radio 120 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 FM, and beavercountyradio.com media for more on this story as it continues to develop.

A New Castle man is facing charges for allegedly claiming that he had the Coronavirus and then coughed on an employee at the Speedway convenience store in New Castle.

New Castle Police say 26-year-old Michael Quear was at the Speedway on North Jefferson Street Monday when he tried to buy cigarettes but couldn’t because he didn’t have his ID.

Police say Quear became upset and coughed towards the employee and stated you better disinfect the store because he had coronavirus.

He’s charged with terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and harassment.

 

Wall Street adds to its gains as hopes build for virus peak
By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are higher in midday trading on Wall Street, though the gains faded slightly as the day progressed. The S&P 500 index was up nearly 2.5% after being up as much as 3.5% in the morning. It surged 7% a day before on encouraging signs that the coronavirus pandemic may be close to leveling off in some of the hardest hit areas of the world. The stock market is looking ahead to when economies will reopen after authorities shut down businesses and travel and issued stay-at-home orders in hopes of slowing the spread of the virus. Overseas markets also rose.

Harrisburg, PA-The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 7, that there are 1,579 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 14,559. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania now have cases of COVID-19. The department also reported 78 new deaths among positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 240. 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 have increased to 116 positive cases. An increase of 20 since yesterday. Beaver County is now up to 9 deaths an increase of 3 since yesterday.

“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 76,719 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;
• 7% are aged 19-24;
• Nearly 42% 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.

NEW YORK — More people have died from the coronavirus in New York City than perished in the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center.

At least 3,202 people have been killed in the city by the virus, according to a new count released by city health officials Tuesday.

The deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil killed 2,753 people in the city and 2,977 overall, when hijacked planes slammed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 11, 2001.

The coronavirus has made New York ground zero again in a national tragedy and the center of a crisis that is reshaping Americans’ lives and liberties.

New York City recorded its first coronavirus death on March 13, less than two weeks after confirming its first infection.

Prosecutors urge lawmakers to help decide on freeing inmates
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — As officials consider releasing some inmates to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on Pennsylvania prisons, county prosecutors are urging lawmakers to pass legislation so those decisions aren’t left to the governor alone. The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association says it considers “a temporary, legislative solution” to be reasonable. The corrections secretary told lawmakers that if acceptable legislation doesn’t pass this week, he’ll recommend that Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf use reprieves to thin the inmate population. So far, four inmates at the State Correctional Institution-Phoenix outside Philadelphia and 11 corrections employees at scattered sites have confirmed cases of COVID-19.