Guide to the coronavirus: What you need to know

The coronavirus pandemic has affected lives around the world. Here in Western Pennsylvania, it’s no different.

To help get through this difficult time, the Tribune-Review has put together a guide with information and resources to help be informed about covid-19 and its impact locally.

By the numbers

For the latest news and stories about coronavirus, visit the Trib’s coronavirus page here.

First cases

The first cases of covid-19 were reported March 14 in Allegheny County and March 20 in Westmoreland County. Pennsylvania reported it’s first presumptive cases March 6, and confirmed cases March 11.

Changing life

Stay-at-home order

One of the steps taken to mitigate the spread of the virus in Pennsylvania was a stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Tom Wolf. The order means “you must stay in your homes unless not leaving your home endangers a life,” Wolf said.

The order went into effect March 23 for Allegheny County and March 27 for Westmoreland County.

Counties were given the order at different times, based on the spread of coronavirus. The whole state was under the order by April 1.

Currently, the stay-at-home order for the state has been extended through May 8, Gov. Wolf announced on April 20.

Shutdown orders

Gov. Wolf ordered nonessential businesses to close March 16, which included the closure of gyms, salons, casinos, music venues, among others. A few days later on March 19, Wolf ordered “non-life-sustaining” businesses to shutter, a larger sweeping measure that closed more sites across many industries.

Masks suggested, required

Face masks and coverings for residents who leave their homes became a recommendation from Pa. officials on April 3. Masks became a requirement for customers and employees at businesses still operating on April 15, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced, with the order going into effect on April 19.

Economy

With the pandemic affecting what businesses can be open, unemployment has increased, with more than 1.6 million people filing claims in Pennsylvania since mid-March. The jobless rate increased to 6% in the state in March, up 1.3 percentage points from February.

Schools

Schools for students of all ages have made the transition to online learning as a result of coronavirus. The University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, Duquesne University and Carnegie Mellon University announced March 11 that their respective schools would be moving online indefinitely, with the decision eventually turning into a semester-long one.

For students not in college, schools shuttered after orders from Gov. Wolf on March 13. The intial measure called for schools to be closed for 10 business days, but then turned into an indefinite closure March 30. Schools were eventually closed for the year by Wolf on April 9.

Wedding and funerals

The best and worst moments of life have been affected by the pandemic. Social distancing guidelines and restrictions on gatherings and have impacted and canceled weddings, and have brought challenges to funerals.

For those in the Catholic church, the Pittsburgh diocese canceled all funeral Masses, weddings and baptisms in an announcement March 28 after two priests in separate parish groupings were exposed to the coronavirus. The church updated their decision April 23, allowing these services to be held again with restrictions.

Resources

Maps and charts

• Allegheny County officials on March 27 released a map showing where residents who have tested positive for covid-19 live in the county. It can be found here.

• Real-time data on number of hospital beds and ventilators available in every Pennsylvania county are available here. The website by the state Department of Health was launched April 8.

• The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University has put together an interactive map of the world that provides coronavirus cases, deaths, and other data from around the globe here.

Information

• Trib Total Media is offering free access to its electronic editions in effort to help those in the community be better informed about the health crisis involving the coronavirus pandemic. Follow steps to get the eTrib here.

• The Pennsylvania and Allegheny County health departments have resources and information about coronavirus available through their organizations’ websites. The state website can be found here. Allegheny County site can be found here.

Helpful info

Pittsburgh-based Dr. Amesh Adalja, a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, has been answering questions from the Trib throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Find some of his answers and important things to know here.

Experts and the FDA say there is little worry about in regards to groceries transmitting coronavirus. More here.

Hope seen

Throughout Western Pennsylvania, signs have popped up at businesses and elsewhere offering positive messages during the coronavirus pandemic. You can see these messages from our staff here and here.

Steps back

Gov. Wolf has outlined phases to get to a “new normal” for Pennsylvania. He has also laid out plans for reopening the state’s economy, with May 8 being targeted as a first date in a gradual process.

But one of the keys to reopening, per Wolf, is a much more robust coronavirus testing system in place.

Down the road

• While the coronavirus pandemic continues, the aftermath is being considered. In an address on April 16, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said the city is likely to feel the economic effects of the coronavirus for the next five years.

• Local colleges and universities took classes online for their spring semesters. Pitt is planning for the possibility of a hybrid fall semester, where students cycle between smaller classes on campus and online depending upon how the virus declines and surges.