March 16, 2020 4:09 am
Freedom Transit in Washington County is reducing shared-ride service to only “essential and critical services” for at least the next two weeks. Fixed-route service will operate as normal for now, according to the Washington County Department of Public Safety. Starting March 17, only medical, adult day care, work, and senior center “pick-up” meal trips will be provided. The release said that Freedom Transit clients who “currently have trips booked in the next two weeks for the purpose of getting to and from school, social/recreational, shopping, or other needs will be contacted to postpone their trips.” The company’s full statement: “As a precautionary measure, Freedom Transit will be reducing shared-ride service in Washington County for at least the next two weeks. The focus of the service will be on continuing to provide access to essential and critical services that our passengers need. For now, fixed-route service will operate as normal. Any senior citizen needing to access their local senior center to obtain a “pick-up” only meal, should call Freedom Transit at (724) 223-8747 to schedule a ride. Freedom Transit is committed to the safety and wellbeing of its riders and has been sanitizing buses on a daily basis to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
March 16, 2020 4:05 am
All masses in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh are cancelled until further notice, according to a release from Bishop David Zubik. Zubik said all weekday and Sunday masses will be cancelled started Monday. However, arrangements are being made to livestream more masses in the days ahead. “Although in many ways it saddens me to make this decision, given the best advice from health experts on federal, state, and local levels, I feel it is a necessary one at this time. I’m counting on the understanding and cooperation of all in the Diocese of Pittsburgh as we pray for each other. At this difficult time, we especially are relying on the intercession of Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church, and Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus and Patron of the Universal Church,” Bishop Zubik said. Zubik is calling for a “special day of prayer” in Pittsburgh on March 25 – which is the Feast of the Annunciation in Catholic calendars.
March 15, 2020 8:21 am
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iran has reported 113 more deaths from the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the country’s death toll to 724 amid 13,938 confirmed cases. Iran has the worst outbreak in the Middle East and one of the worst outside China, where the virus first emerged late last year. The latest figures were announced by the Health Ministry on Sunday.
March 15, 2020 8:20 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Federal authorities are warning consumers about fake home-testing kits for the coronavirus after customs agents intercepted a package at Los Angeles International Airport filled with vials labeled as COVID-19 test kits. Testing for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, is only conducted in verified state and local public laboratories across the country. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says American consumers should be aware of bogus testing kits for sale either online or on the black market.
March 15, 2020 8:18 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has tested negative for the novel coronavirus. The White House says the president’s physician has found that Trump also remains symptom-free. Reporters had continued to ask Trump why he was hesitating to undergo screening when he had been exposed to at least three people who have tested positive for the virus. Meanwhile, the White House has instituted screening for anyone coming into close contact with Trump or other officials, checking them for elevated temperatures. A reporter heading to Saturday’s briefing was turned away after a temperature check indicated an elevated temperature.
March 15, 2020 8:18 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Sunday’s Democratic presidential debate is likely to be dominated by the mounting coronavirus crisis. Just two candidates are left in the Democratic race: former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. They’ll debate in a television studio in Washington without an in-person audience. The debate was moved from Arizona because of concerns about cross-country travel. It’s the first Democratic debate in two-and-a-half weeks, and the first since Biden took command of the primary race.
March 15, 2020 8:15 am
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Authorities around the world turned to increasingly drastic measures to try to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, with lockdowns, curfews and travel restrictions spreading. Soldiers and police sealed the densely populated Philippine capital from most domestic travelers in one of Southeast Asia’s most drastic containment moves. The move mirrored a lockdown Spain announced just hours earlier. France ordered the closing of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the cafes and restaurants, as governments took increasingly desperate measures to put more space between people and contain the virus. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will extend a travel ban to Britain and Ireland. And more cities in the U.S. put in place curbs on gatherings of more than a few hundred people.
March 15, 2020 8:13 am
WASHINGTON, Pa. — Officials in Washington County are still waiting for the State Department of Health to release more information about the lone confirmed case of Coronavirus in the county. Director of Public Safety Jeff Yates says the state did not release any specific information about the patient’s location or circumstances. All that is known about the case is that the patient was tested at a private practice in the county. Yates says all officials have met with stakeholders from local healthcare, first responder agencies, and municipalities and are frequently updating them with the latest information from state and federal partners.
March 15, 2020 7:59 am
Worried that you have contracted the Coronavirus? Stay calm and follow these steps as announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. If you have mild symptoms, stay at home and contact your health care provider. If you have severe symptoms (fever over 100 degrees, shortness of breath, and cough) call your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call your local health department or 1-877-PA-HEALTH. If you still need help, call your local emergency department.
March 15, 2020 7:51 am
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WPXI) — The novel coronavirus has reached western Pennsylvania, with a presumptive case of COVID-19 announced Friday in Washington County and two cases confirmed in Allegheny County Saturday. State and local leaders are urging people to take extra precautions and that has led to the cancellation of events as well as Governor Tom Wolf announcing the closure of Pennsylvania’s public schools for 10 days. Giant Eagle and Walmart announced that all of their stores across the region and country will have different hours to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Starting March 15, Walmart stores and neighborhood markets will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. until further notice. The Port Authority of Allegheny County also announced it will be disinfecting vehicles every 24 hours after two cases of coronavirus were announced in the county.
