by PublicSource reporters
In Allegheny County, health officials announced 19 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday and one new death, the first since the county moved into the green phrase of reopening. This brings the county tally to 2,027 infections, 169 deaths and 351 past and current hospitalizations. All deaths in the county involved patients age 42 to 103, with a median age of 84.
On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 493 additional COVID-19 cases and 61 deaths, bringing the statewide infection total to 76,436 and 6,014 fatalities. Long-term care facilities, which include nursing homes, continue to be hardest hit by the pathogen with 16,247cases among residents and 2,824 cases among employees at 618 facilities in 45 counties, including Allegheny. Of the state’s COVID-related deaths, 4,117 were residents in these facilities. To date, 459,248 Pennsylvanians have tested negative for the virus. More than half of the infections across the state have been among those 50 and older.
Top COVID-19 news for week of June 8:
- In the wake of mass demonstrations over police brutality and racial injustice, New York officials are urging protesters to act as if they have the novel coronavirus and get tested, following similar moves by Seattle, San Francisco and Atlanta. Pennsylvania health officials said Monday that Pennsylvanians who believe they were exposed should be tested. Because of the pathogen’s incubation period, health officials recommend waiting a few days to prevent getting a false negative.
- Gov. Tom Wolf announced on Monday a $225 million grant program to support small businesses impacted by the pandemic and the economic shutdown. The program is funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security [CARES] Act.
- Long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania, including nursing homes, will be required to universally test employees and staff to create a baseline for COVID-19 infections by July 24, according to an order issued by Wolf’s administration on Monday.
- Pittsburgh city officials announced the reopening – on a rolling basis – of Pittsburgh playgrounds, basketball courts, ball fields and spray parks. The reopening is expected to be completed by June 15. Organized sports will also be permitted to resume, provided safety guidelines are adhered to. Block parties and special events, with a safety plan, will also be permitted for outdoor groups of 250 attendees or fewer. Restrooms, water fountains, swimming pools, rec and senior centers will remain closed.
- The Wolf Administration has selected a new healthcare emergency preparedness vendor, Public Health Management Corporation in Philadelphia. The new contract becomes effective July 8 for future emergencies and the possible resurgence of COVID-19 in the fall.
- Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine reported the state has 20 confirmed cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children [MIS-C] and 15 under investigation. MIS-C has emerged as a possible side effect of COVID-19. It’s a condition that inflames body parts such as the heart, lung and kidney, among others. The cause is not yet known.
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