November 19, 2020 3:57 am
Pennsylvania’s contact tracing system is under strain as the explosion of new COVID-19 cases overtakes health workers’ ability to keep up. Public health experts say it’s important to interview people who have tested positive for the virus as soon as possible so their “close contacts,” or the people they exposed, can be identified and quarantined. The state Health Department’s goal is to contact each new COVID-19 patient within 24 hours of a positive test. That’s become virtually impossible as infections surge out of control, even with the addition of hundreds of contact tracers.
November 19, 2020 2:25 am
A stay-at-home and stop social gatherings advisory has been issued for Allegheny County as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen is asking people to stay home unless they are going to work, school or need essentials, like groceries or medical care. She is also asking residents to not have guests in their home, unless they are essential workers like childcare or home healthcare workers, and to cancel any Thanksgiving plans they have with people outside of their household. “For the past few weeks, I’ve asked people to follow the rules, curtail gatherings and parties, stay home except for essentials, and wear masks. I’m done asking and today, I’m telling you that these are things we must all do to bring down the level of spread and keep our community safe,” Bogen said. Bogen said if cases increase, she can issue an order.
November 18, 2020 5:37 pm
(AP) – Conditions inside the nation’s hospitals are deteriorating by the day as the coronavirus rages through the country at an unrelenting pace. Hospitals have converted parking garages, chapels, cafeterias waiting rooms into patient rooms, and fatigue is setting in among a beleaguered workforce of medical workers. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the U.S. has doubled in the past month and set new records every day this week. As of Tuesday, more than 76,000 people were hospitalized with the virus.
November 18, 2020 3:10 pm
NEW YORK (AP) – New York City’s mayor says he’s shuttering schools to try to stop the renewed spread of the coronavirus. It’s a painful about-face for one of the first big U.S. school systems to bring students back to classrooms this fall. The mayor and schools chancellor announced Wednesday that school buildings will close Thursday. The city had said since summer that school buildings would close if 3% of all the coronavirus tests performed citywide over a seven-day period came back positive. The mayor tweeted that the city has now hit that mark.
November 18, 2020 1:30 pm
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – The public health directors of Ohio’s capital city and the surrounding county have issued an advisory stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Dr. Mysheika Roberts is Columbus health commissioner and Joe Mazzola is the Franklin County health commissioner. They issued the order Wednesday which advises all residents to remain at home as much as possible. The orders also recommend not having any guests in homes including on Thanksgiving Day, and to avoid traveling in and out of state. Exceptions would be for essential needs such as medical care, groceries, medicine and food pick-up.
November 18, 2020 11:50 am
(WPXI) – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced Wednesday the cancellation of its mandated regular season and championship competition for winter sports. The league’s board of directors voted to cancel the season. Several local colleges are a part of the PSAC, including: California University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University, Edinboro University, IUP, Pitt Johnstown, Seton Hill and Slippery Rock University. Last week, the board voted to cancel PSAC Championship seasons for fall sports, yet allowed for league championship opportunities in those sports should six or more schools elect to participate. Schools who decide to play must abide by league rules and NCAA guidelines that have been set because of COVID-19. The same requirements exist for the winter sports that have been canceled. Last week, the board agreed to proceed with the intent to play a full regular and championship season for all spring sports in 2021.
November 18, 2020 8:45 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Everyone’s favorite bars and restaurants are struggling to stay open. It’s a dire situation for many restaurant owners, and some are headed to Harrisburg for a big rally on Wednesday to help save the industry. It’s a rally to rescue the restaurant industry. Michael Passalacqua, the owner of Angelo’s in Washington County, said the industry will not survive this winter without financial support. “We are more concerned now about funding relief and a package that will save restaurants,” Passalacqua said. “Hundreds of thousands of employees have been affected, hundreds of restaurants have closed, and now it’s time for the federal government and state government to step up.” The Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association held the rally. Passalacqua said staying open is important and getting relief is crucial. “it’s my industry, it’s my life, it’s who we are, it’s who I am and it’s important to be part of the activism,” Passalacqua said.
November 18, 2020 7:17 am
(AP) – Pfizer says new test results show its coronavirus vaccine is 95% effective. The company said Wednesday results also show it appears safe and protects older people most at risk of dying from COVID-19. It’s the final data needed to seek emergency use of limited shot supplies even as the catastrophic outbreak worsens across the globe. Wednesday’s announcement comes just a week after it first revealed promising preliminary results. Pfizer and BioNTech said they expect to produce up to 50 million vaccine doses globally in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021.
November 18, 2020 4:18 am
North Strabane Supervisors met at their agenda setting meeting on Tuesday night and indicated that there is a tax increase for residents on the horizon. Township Manager Andrew Walz stated that the proposed increase will be a one half mil increase. That increase will be used to cure a deficit spending practice that has been occurring for the last 5 or more years. The township has been supplementing funding for the fire department and the parks and recreation departments. The tax increase will be divided by giving .35 mil to the fire department and .15 mil to the parks and recreation department. Solid budget numbers are still being worked out but Walz indicates that the budget will be in line with the 2020 budget of $30,406,937. In other township business, the Canon-McMillan School District is asking supervisors to discount building permit fees for the new middle school being built on Rt. 519. School Director Manuel Pihakis was met with pushback from supervisors over the request. Supervisors will consider the request at their legislative meeting next week.
November 18, 2020 4:13 am
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A deadly rise in COVID-19 infections is forcing state and local officials to adjust their blueprints for fighting a virus that is threatening to overwhelm health care systems. Schools are scrapping plans to reopen classrooms. More states are adopting mask mandates. But they often face blowback from dissenters who fear the new restrictions will kill off more businesses and jobs. With Thanksgiving coming up next week, public health officials are bracing for a holiday-fueled surge. Physicians have been urging families to stick to small gatherings and avoid large parties and events where vulnerable populations could be infected.
