Coronavirus category, Page 183
Allegheny County reports 31 new covid-19 cases, no new deaths for 2nd day in a row
Allegheny County officials reported 31 additional covid-19 cases and no new deaths Thursday, the second day in a row that no deaths have been reported. That leaves the total number of deaths countywide at 144, while the total number of confirmed and probable cases rose to 1,718. The county on...
Mission of Mercy postpones free dental clinic in Pittsburgh
Another eagerly anticipated public event has become a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic. The annual Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh free dental clinic at PPG Paints Arena has been postponed out of concern for the safety of patients, healthcare professionals and volunteers during the ongoing covid-19 crisis. The event had originally...
Jennifer Christman: Mental Health Awareness Month critical for covid-19 front-line workers
Prior to covid-19, our nation was silently witnessing another growing epidemic — suicide. Specifically, among first responders. Many members of this at-risk population are now on the front lines of the pandemic, working in high-stress professions where the nature of their work leads to experiencing trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder....
Coronavirus testing now available at federally qualified health centers in Allegheny County
More than 60 people have been tested for covid-19 at federally qualified health centers across Allegheny County since testing began at those facilities Friday. As of Wednesday, test results have come back for 40 of those tests. Two have been positive, said Dr. Debra Bogen, director of the Allegheny County...
Pa. again extends gun permit licenses that have expired
State officials on Thursday granted another extension for residents whose gun permits have expired during the coronavirus pandemic. The extension applies to permits that expired on or after March 19, according to state police. The initial license to carry extension was set to expire May 30, and Gov. Tom Wolf...
Colleges plan fall opening, but campuses won’t look the sameVideo
Growing numbers of U.S. colleges are pledging to reopen this fall, with dramatic changes to campus life to keep the coronavirus at bay. Big lectures will be a thing of the past. Dorms will will be nowhere near capacity. Students will face mandatory virus testing. And at some smaller schools,...
Allegheny County Jail nurse practitioner battles back from coronavirusVideo
Charles Timbers Jr. is a nurse practitioner at Allegheny County Jail who recently tested positive for covid-19. After going through the 14-day quarantine, Timbers is back doing his job at the jail, which has had over three dozen cases of the virus. In this edition of the Trib’s “Answering the...
Trump claims he will end his hydroxychloroquine regimen soonVideo
After hiding the claim that Donald Trump had been taking hydroxychloroquine for more than a week, the president revealed Wednesday he will end his regimen “in a day or two.” Trump, who said he has tested negative for the coronavirus, announced on Monday he was taking the anti-malaria drug to...
AP-NORC poll: Americans harbor strong fear of new infectionsVideo
Strong concern about a second wave of coronavirus infections is reinforcing widespread opposition among Americans to reopening public places, a new poll finds, even as many state leaders step up efforts to return to life before the pandemic. Yet support for public health restrictions imposed to control the virus’s spread...
Brazil expands use of unproven drug as coronavirus toll risesVideo
RIO DE JANEIRO — President Jair Bolsonaro unveiled rules Wednesday expanding the prescription of chloroquine, the predecessor of an anti-malaria drug promoted by President Donald Trump, for coronavirus patients despite a lack of clinical proof that it is effective. Chloroquine was already being used in Brazil for covid-19 patients who...
New York opens the door to small religious gatheringsVideo
NEW YORK — New York will allow religious gatherings of up to 10 people as hospitalization rates continue to decline. More tests and outreach efforts are planned for hard-hit New York City neighborhoods. The Metropolitan Museum of Art could reopen its doors in mid-August. Coronavirus developments in New York: Religious...
Officials: Too soon to tell if reopening will lead to spike in coronavirus cases
Allegheny County officials said it’s too soon to tell if there has been a spike in coronavirus cases as Southwestern Pennsylvania settles into life in the yellow phase of the state’s reopening plan. It will likely take another 10 to 14 days before test results start to show whether more...
Despite risks, Texas pushes for kids to return to normal during pandemicVideo
AUSTIN — After months of home schooling and lost sports seasons, millions of Texas children may get a taste of a somewhat normal summer after all — if their parents go for it. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott this week said child care facilities can reopen immediately and set the...
In wake of coronavirus, Excela’s ink runs from black to red with nearly $36 million in losses
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the current title of Excela Health CEO John Sphon. Until early March, the financial turnaround that Excela Health officials had been expecting for the past year was in full swing. Just two months later, a nearly $3 million profit has turned...
Allegheny County reports no new coronavirus deaths, 29 new cases
Allegheny County officials reported 29 new covid-19 cases but no new deaths Wednesday afternoon. That leaves the total number of deaths countywide at 144, while the total number of confirmed and probable cases rose to 1,687. The county typically reports those daily figures around 11 a.m. but Wednesday’s report was...
Gov. Wolf talking with sports leagues, says it could take until vaccine for Pennsylvania to reach ‘normal’
Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday he is talking with professional sports leagues about holding events in Pennsylvania, but he doesn’t believe residents will be completely comfortable going back to pre-pandemic normalcy until there is a coronavirus vaccine. “Ultimately, I think what it’s going to take for everybody to feel safe...
Western Pa. Gordmans stores could close after parent company files for bankruptcy
Several local Gordmans stores, including those in Allegheny Township, East Huntingdon and Rostraver, are at risk of closing for good, another victim of the coronavirus pandemic that left stores largely shuttered across the country. Houston, Texas-based Stage Stores Inc. — the parent company of Gordmans, which has been in operation...
3 barbers ticketed for cutting hair at Michigan CapitolVideo
LANSING, Mich. — Police ticketed three people for cutting hair during a protest outside the Michigan Capitol, where about a dozen barbers and hair stylists defied stay-at-home orders to give free hair cuts Wednesday. About 350 people were attending the demonstration that was organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition to...
State reports 143 more coronavirus deaths, 746 additional cases
Pennsylvania on Wednesday reported 143 more covid-19 deaths and 746 additional cases, bringing the state’s total number of cases to just over 64,400 , state officials said. There have been 4,767 people who have died from the virus, which has been reported in all of the state’s 67 counties. More...
Pennsylvania doles out $51 million to child care centers to help with reopening
More than $50 million from Pennsylvania’s first round of federal coronavirus aid will go to nearly 7,000 child care centers across the state, Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday. Wolf said reopening the state will require “robust and healthy” child care. Of the money, which is part of CARES Act funding...
Sen. Vincent Hughes: Republican reopening plan worst kind of politics
In the last few weeks, Pennsylvania Republicans have ramped up the political theatre in a brazen attempt at politicizing the Wolf administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. From staged political rallies organized by out-of-state, extreme right-wing agitators to attempts at strong-arming local officials to ignore the governor’s executive order on...
Pennsylvania joins pilot program allowing SNAP users to buy groceries online
Pennsylvania will participate in a pilot program allowing recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to purchase their groceries online through participating retailers. “Many people have been purchasing groceries online to facilitate social distancing, but SNAP recipients were not able to do so due to federal restrictions on...
Apple, Google release technology for pandemic apps
Apple and Google on Wednesday released long-awaited smartphone technology to automatically notify people if they might have been exposed to the coronavirus. The companies said 22 countries and several U.S. states are already planning to build voluntary phone apps using their software. It relies on Bluetooth wireless technology to detect...
Free coronavirus testing available for uninsured Pennsylvania residents
The ability of uninsured Pennsylvanians to be tested for coronavirus was an early concern in the fight against covid-19. Now those without health insurance can be tested for free. Gov. Tom Wolf has announced that federal stimulus funds will be used to reimburse providers who test uninsured patients. Access to...
Peduto wants to block off streets for outdoor dining in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is exploring options to revive Pittsburgh’s restaurant scene with outdoor dining. “We’re in danger,” he said, when asked if some restaurants could close in the next year. “I think within the next month will be critical time. If we can get outdoor seating established this next...
