April 13, 2020 9:48 am
NEW YORK (AP) – ABC ‘Good Morning America’ anchor George Stephanopoulos says he has tested positive for the coronavirus, but is relatively symptom-free. He said on Monday’s show that other than a brief backache and diminished sense of smell, he’s been feeling fine. His wife, journalist Ali Wentworth, has the disease and has said she’s never felt sicker. Stephanopoulos made the announcement on the show Monday; like many in television news, he’s been working from home. His disclosure led to a discussion on the air with a medical expert about why some people are hit hard or killed by the disease, and some people feel next to nothing.
April 13, 2020 4:18 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Gov. Andrew Cuomo says New York’s death toll from coronavirus has topped 10,000, with hospitals still seeing 2,000 new patients a day. The death tally hit the milestone only about a month after the state recorded its first death. The state tallied 671 new deaths on Sunday. It was the first time in a week the daily toll dipped below 700. Still, the governor noted Monday that people are still dying at a “horrific level of pain and grief and sorrow.” Meanwhile, New York City’s health department says the city is in danger of running out of swabs for COVID-19 tests and should test only hospitalized patients.
April 13, 2020 4:16 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – OPEC, Russia and other oil-producing nations have finalized an unprecedented production cut of nearly 10 million barrels, or a tenth of global supply, in hopes of boosting crashing prices amid the coronavirus pandemic and a price war. The group of nations agreed on a video conference Sunday to cut 9.7 million barrels a day to begin May 1. Mexico had initially blocked the deal. Iran’s oil minister also says several Middle Eastern nations agreed to an additional cut of 2 million barrels a day. They reached the deal just hours before Asian markets were set to reopen Monday.
April 13, 2020 4:14 am
NEW YORK (AP) – More than 3,600 deaths have been linked to coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities nationwide, an alarming rise in just the past two weeks. Because the federal government has not been releasing a count of its own, The Associated Press has kept its own running tally based on media reports and state health departments. The latest count of at least 3,621 deaths is up from about 450 deaths just 10 days ago. Experts say even that is likely an undercount because most state numbers don’t include those who died without ever being tested for COVID-19.
April 13, 2020 4:13 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The United States’ top infectious disease expert says the economy in parts of the country could have a “rolling reentry” as early as next month, provided health authorities can quickly identify and isolate people who will inevitably be infected with the coronavirus. Dr. Anthony Fauci also says he “can’t guarantee” that it will be safe for Americans to vote in person on Election Day, Nov. 3. Fauci says a gradual return to normal will be required based on the status of the new coronavirus pandemic in various parts of the country and the availability of rapid, widespread testing.
April 13, 2020 4:10 am
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Strong storms pounding the Deep South have killed at least 18 people in Mississippi, Arkansas and Georgia, and dozens of people have been hospitalized. The Chattanooga, Tennessee area appears particularly hard-hit, with search and rescue teams responding to hundreds of calls for help. Ten states have been under flash flood, tornado and thunderstorm warnings and watches overnight. Around 750,000 customers are without electricity. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said when he declared a state of emergency that “this is not how anyone wants to celebrate Easter.” The National Weather Service said the severe weather is now moving into the mid-Atlantic region.
April 13, 2020 4:09 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Gov. Tom Wolf says the Pennsylvania labor department has started sending out expanded federal unemployment compensation payments provided by the coronavirus relief package approved by Congress. The measure temporarily provides an additional $600 per week and makes self-employed, independent contractors and gig workers eligible for benefits. It also extends unemployment compensation benefits for an additional 13 weeks. The federal benefits are in addition to Pennsylvania’s regular unemployment benefit, which is about half of a person’s full-time weekly income up to $572 per week for 26 weeks.
April 13, 2020 4:03 am
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) – An undisclosed number of residents at a West Virginia University dormitory complex have been ordered to self-quarantine after someone living there tested positive for the new coronavirus. The university says the Monongalia County health department notified WVU of the positive test Sunday. The individual has been isolated, and residents of the Evansdale Residential Complex must quarantine until they are tested starting Monday and the results are known. Employees of the complex also must be tested. WVU has been closed since March 20 and has prohibited students from returning to campus from spring break. The school has shifted almost all instruction online.
April 13, 2020 2:51 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI)– Two residents at Concordia at the Orchard have died after testing positive for coronavirus. The facility is a personal care home in Butler County. Additionally, two residents at a South Hills senior center have tested positive. The two patients live at Friendship Village of South Hills. One resident is in isolation and the other is being treated at a hospital.
April 13, 2020 2:33 am
DONORA, Pa. – A Donora man has become the first known fatality of a Washington County resident due to complications of COVID-19. Devin Taquino, 47 passed away at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh on Friday. According to a GoFundMe page set up in his honor, Taquino was dealing with what he thought was an intestinal issue. Days later, symptoms of a cough began, and he went to get tested for the Coronavirus. The page says he was admitted to the hospital March 25 and placed on a ventilator March 29. His condition worsened and he died. The fundraising page says his family only spoke with him on the phone a limited amount of times before he died. No visitors were allowed to see him because of the pandemic. According to his obituary, Taquino leaves behind his wife Becky and his children Jonathon, Kristofer and Madyline, as well as a brother Rob who lives in New York. Funeral proceedings are limited to immediate family due to health concerns.
