Harrisburg, PA – Under her authority as Secretary of the Department of Health to take any disease control measure appropriate to protect the public from the spread of infectious disease, Dr. Rachel Levine today signed an order providing direction for maintaining and cleaning buildings for businesses authorized to maintain in-person operations under her and the governor’s life-sustaining business orders announced March 19.

According to the Building Safety Measures order, “Cleaning, disinfecting, and other maintenance and security services performed by building service employees are critical to protecting the public health by reducing COVID-19 infections in the commonwealth.”

“Based upon the manner of COVID-19’s spread in the commonwealth and in the world, and its danger to Pennsylvanians, I have determined that the appropriate disease control measure is the direction of building safety measures as outlined in this order to prevent and control the spread of disease,” Dr. Levine wrote.

The measures outlined in the order are for owners of buildings of at least 50,000 square feet used for commercial, industrial or other enterprises, including but not limited to facilities for warehousing, manufacturing, commercial offices, airports, grocery stores, universities, colleges, government, hotels, and residential buildings with at least 50 units.

In addition to maintaining pre-existing cleaning protocols, the order outlines these new protocols:

• Clean and disinfect high-touch areas routinely in accordance with CDC guidelines, in spaces that are accessible to customers, tenants, or other individuals.
• Maintain pre-existing cleaning protocols established in the facility for all other areas of the building.
• Ensure that the facility has a sufficient number of employees to perform the above protocols effectively and in a manner that ensures the safety of occupants and employees.
• Ensure that the facility has a sufficient number of security employees to control access, maintain order, and enforce social distancing of at least 6 feet, provided the security employees are otherwise responsible for such enforcement.

The order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m., April 6.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,493 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 11,510

Harrisburg, PA-The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 5, that there are 1,493 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 11,510 in 65 counties. The department also reported14 new deaths among positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 150. 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 we are up to 84 positive cases of the Corona Virus COVID-19. There have no increases in deaths. The Department is reporting that Beaver County remains a 6 Deaths total after reporting 4 additional yesterday.

“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 66,261 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 8% are aged 19-24;
  • 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.

County by county case numbers and deaths are displayed below:

County Case Counts to Date

Number of PA coronavirus cases tops 10,000; 136 deaths
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania Department of Health says the number of coronavirus cases in the commonwealth has topped 10,000 with another 34 deaths reported, bringing the statewide total to 136. The department reported Saturday another 1,597 additional positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 10,017 across all but three of the commonwealth’s 67 counties. Officials say most patients hospitalized and most deaths have occurred in patients aged 65 or older. There have been no pediatric deaths to date, officials said.

Locally in Beaver County on Saturday there were 4 more positive cases and also. 4 deaths reported bringing the total number of deaths to 6 in the county.

Police: Woman walking on railroad tracks killed by train
TARENTUM, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a woman walking on railroad tracks in western Pennsylvania was struck and killed by a train, authorities said. Allegheny County police say the woman was walking north on the railroad track when a northbound Norfolk Southern train struck her at about 8 p.m. Friday in Tarentum. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The county medical examiner’s office identified her as 39-year-old Beth  Graff of Tarentum. County police said “It is believed the woman had headphones on when she was struck.” Homicide unit detectives were investigating. Anyone with information was asked to call investigators or the county police tip line.

PALM SUNDAY: Pope celebrates without public in St. Peter’s
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is celebrating Palm Sunday Mass without the public, since the traditional ceremony in St. Peter’s Square was scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic. Normally, tens of thousands of Romans, tourists and pilgrims, clutching olive tree branches or palm fronds, would have flocked to an outdoor Mass. Instead, Francis on Sunday was leading the ceremony inside St. Peter’s Basilica, which seemed even more cavernous than usual because it was so empty. Aides, a few invited prelates and nuns and altar servers were present. Appearing pensive, Francis blessed the braided palms held by others, then held one himself.

(Beaver County, PA) For the third week in a row, reaction to the Corona virus pandemic continues to force the suspension or cancellation of large gatherings, including worship services across Pennsylvania.  Along that line, WBVP, WMBA and 99.3 F.M. are pleased to be the “pulpit” of the airwaves during this time and help nearby preachers reach their flock by putting their voice into the speaker of the radio .  Local listeners and parishioners can tune in to four different church and faith based programs this Palm Sunday weekend.   At 9 A.M. on Sunday morning, April 5, live Sunday Mass from St. Monica Catholic Parish in Chippewa will still take place even though the church is closed to the public.  Then, at 10 A.M.,  a recorded version of this week’s message from Christian Dimensions, featuring Aliquippa native Jackie Billingslea-Davis, will provide worship and inspiration from a Jewish tradition and perspective.   At 10:30 A.M., The Soma Gathering in Beaver Falls is sponsoring a segment featuring Pastor Jan Davis from Central United Methodist church in Beaver Falls, who will engage with listeners via a broadcast recorded earlier this week.  Finally from 1 to 2 P.M., a special

live broadcast will be aired from The New Galilee Church of the Nazarene featuring Pastor Andy Russell. Much like the old drive in movies of years past, Russell plans on preaching from the parking lot and inviting people to pull up, park, and tune the car radio in to 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA or 99.3 F.M. to hear his special Palm Sunday message.  All four segments will air on WBVP,  WMBA,  99.3 F.M. and The Beaver County Radio Live Audio Stream.

Promotional video for the Central United Method segment:

 

 

 

Singer Pink says she had COVID-19, gives $1M to relief funds
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The singer Pink says she had COVID-19 and is donating $500,000 each to two emergency funds. In a pair of tweets posted Friday evening, the singer says she tested positive after she and her three-year-old son started displaying symptoms two weeks ago. She says they were negative when they were tested again “just a few days ago.” She announced she’s donating $500,000 to the Temple University Hospital Emergency Fund in honor of her mother, who worked there for nearly two decades. She’s giving the same amount to the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles’ COVID-19 response fund. Her post thanked health care workers and called upon the public to “Please. Stay. Home.”

(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.