PITTSBURGH (December 6,2023) – Pediatricians across Allegheny Health Network (AHN) are providing useful guidance for parents and caregivers this holiday season amid a local uptick in pediatric cases of respiratory viral infections and influenza.

“Our AHN outpatient pediatric offices have seen an increase in cases of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza, which tracks with what we’re seeing nationally, and we anticipate these numbers will continue to rise this month as we gather and travel for the holidays,” said Joseph Aracri, DO, Chair of AHN Pediatric Institute. “The AHN Pediatric Institute is available to support and help families navigate this season and address any areas of concern.”

Most recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported national increases in cases of RSV, influenza and COVID-19. And in Pennsylvania, weekly RSV cases have nearly tripled since early November, while Allegheny County is reporting the state’s highest flu totals.

RSV is a common cause of mild cold-like symptoms, but it can be dangerous for infants and older people, causing lung infections and trouble breathing in severe cases. Symptoms associated with respiratory viruses in children include runny nose, decrease in appetite, cough, fever and wheezing.

Dr. Aracri, alongside his peers throughout the AHN Pediatric Institute, offers the following guidance for families as the number of respiratory infections continue to rise both locally and nationally:

• Treat the symptoms – there are no antibiotics for these viruses; the best approach is to make your children comfortable by treating their symptoms with appropriate over-the-counter medication, rest and plenty of fluids. Lukewarm baths also help with reducing mild to moderate fevers and nasal aspirators can clear excess mucus. Always consult your pediatrician’s office for specific questions or concerns and remember that some viruses can last up to two weeks.
• Recognize when to head to the emergency room – if your child has a rectal temperature higher than 104°F (or 100.4 °F if younger than three months), trouble breathing, abdominal pain, extreme lethargy and/or persistent vomiting or diarrhea, we recommend seeking immediate, emergent care at the nearest emergency room. For a full list of AHN emergency/urgent care locations, visit https://www.ahn.org/locations.
• Rely on your pediatric team for support – if you have any questions or concerns outside of emergency circumstances, we strongly encourage you to reach out to your pediatric team. AHN maintains a 24/7 pediatric nurse line for families and provides same-day/next-day appointments for children who need to be seen in person. To reach the AHN nurse on call, contact your pediatrician’s office direct line to be connected.
• Practice preventive measures – during the holiday season, it’s important to wash your hands frequently and help little ones develop a vigilant hand washing routine, maintain social distance when appropriate, and stay home if under the weather.  The most impactful preventive measure, however, is to stay up to date with vaccinations for all members of the household. To schedule your child’s vaccinations for COVID-19 or influenza, contact your pediatrician’s office directly.

“While it’s important to follow preventive measures and practice good health hygiene, it’s just as important to maintain normal routines and encourage socialization around the holidays,” continued Dr. Aracri. “This season is an opportunity for children to enjoy spending time with family, friends and loved ones, while also participating in festive activities at school or daycare.”

A recent study published in JAMA (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.39355) also indicated that children are much less likely to contract COVID-19 in a childcare environment, compared to when a family member becomes ill. Transmission rates at childcare centers among those studied remained between 2 and 3 percent, while 50 percent transmission rate was found when COVID was on the home front.

To schedule a new patient visit with AHN and establish your care team, call 412-DOCTORS.

[Dec. 6, 2023] — As people make travel plans to celebrate with family and friends this year, the American Red Cross asks donors to set aside time to give blood or platelets for patients waiting for care over the holidays. 

From a record number of people expected to travel to seasonal illnesses and the potential for hazardous winter weather, it can be difficult for the Red Cross to collect enough blood for patients during the winter months. When donors come to give the gift of a blood or platelet donation in December, the Red Cross will say thank you with several exciting opportunities: 

• Thanks to Prime Video and their new film Candy Cane Lane, featuring an all-star cast, including Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross, and directed by Reginald Hudlin, those who come to give blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma Dec. 1-31, 2023, will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card and a 65-inch Omni QLED Series Amazon Fire TV. Details available at RedCrossBlood.org/Amazon.
• Those who come to give blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma Dec. 1-17, 2023, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Details available at RedCrossBlood.org/Amazon.
• Those who come to give blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma Dec. 18, 2023-Jan. 5, 2024, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. 

Making and keeping appointments throughout the month can help safeguard the national blood supply into the new year. Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Photos provided by Commonwealth Media Services

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil kicked off the 2023 holiday season at the Capitol in Harrisburg with the 2023 Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

“I love this time of year and how it brings people together, and I’m so excited to light my first Christmas tree as Governor — a beautiful Douglas Fir from Carbon County,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “No matter what holidays you celebrate, I hope all Pennsylvanians get a chance to spend time with loved ones and count their blessings. Lori, our children and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.”

The tree is a 20-foot Douglas Fir from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Carbon County. It is decorated with 1,250 LED lights and more than 700 handmade ornaments donated by Pre-K for PA students and Pennsylvania Department of Aging seniors from across the Commonwealth.

The Governor was joined by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil, Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich, Reverend Anjel Scarborough of All Saints Episcopal Church in Hershey, PA, and dozens of Pre-K for PA students and staff for the holiday celebration.

The Central Dauphin High School Choir led the audience in singing Christmas carols and Santa Claus made an appearance. In addition to the Rotunda Tree, there is another 20-foot Douglas fir – also from Crystal Spring Tree Farm – located outdoors on the Capitol steps.

The tree in the Rotunda will be lit daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the tree on the Capitol steps will be lit daily from 5 p.m. to midnight through January 8, 2024.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing lane and shoulder closure on I-376 (Beaver Valley Expressway) in the City of Aliquippa, Beaver County, will begin Wednesday, December 6 weather permitting.

A single-lane and shoulder closure in each direction on the I-376 bridge that carries traffic over Bunker Hill Road will occur around-the-clock from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 3:30 p.m. Friday, December 15. Crews will conduct milling and concrete deck overlay work.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published December 6, 2023 7:38 P.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) At the Hopewell School Board meeting Tuesday night, Dan Engen, president of Draw Collective did a relaunch of a feasibility study of the facility master plan. The last one was in 2019. On January 15, 2024 the full district staff will assemble, and the next meeting will be with the department heads.

Story by Sandy Giordano with contributions by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published December 6, 2023 7:29 A.M.    

(New Brighton, Pa) A fully involved structure fire destroyed a residence in New Brighton. Several fire departments assisted New Brighton at a duplex on the 700 block of 10th Avenue Tuesday night. According to Beaver County 9-1-1, all residents were evacuated from the structure and the Red Cross is assisting the residents. We have no additional details at this time.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — George Santos already has a new gig. Fresh off his historic expulsion, the former congressman has opened a Cameo account where the public can pay $200 for a personalized video message. Screenshots of his account with the bio “Former congressional ‘Icon’!” started to spread online Monday and by the afternoon, users were posting clips of Santos offering advice, blowing kisses and making jokes about Botox. Santos was expelled from the House on Friday following a scandal-plagued tenure in Congress and a looming criminal trial. He is only the sixth member in the chamber’s history to be ousted by colleagues.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden applaud during the 46th Kennedy Center Honors at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is spending most of this week raising money for his reelection campaign. Biden is traveling to Boston on Tuesday to schmooze with donors at three fundraisers. One of the events features a concert by singer-songwriter James Taylor. On Friday, Biden will hit Los Angeles for his first fundraisers there since actors and screenwriters ended their strikes. The Democratic president also has a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., this week and one in Philadelphia on Monday. The burst of fundraising comes as the holiday season sets in and as candidates make their final pushes to raise money before the fundraising quarter ends on Dec. 31.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin walks along the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are regrouping after getting drilled in an upset loss to Arizona. The Cardinals pushed Pittsburgh around for most of the final three quarters in a 24-10 victory that dropped the Steelers to 7-5. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin called his team’s performance “subpar.” The Steelers lost a chance to create a little breathing room in the AFC playoff chase with the setback. Pittsburgh will move forward without quarterback Kenny Pickett. Pickett is out indefinitely after undergoing right ankle surgery. Mitch Trubisky will start when the Steelers host struggling New England in Week 14.