Pa. virus figures continue to rise
By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
An additional 207 cases of coronavirus were confirmed Tuesday in Pennsylvania, bringing the total up to 851 cases in 40 of the state’s 67 counties.
Seven state residents have died from the virus.
Allegheny County is up to 58 cases and the county health department reported its second death Tuesday. The department stated the patient was a woman in her late 70s who had not been hospitalized. She had not recently traveled, but did have other health issues that may have delayed recognition of the coronavirus.
“This person’s positive status was not known until after the death,” Dr. Debra Bogen, ACHD director, said in a press release Tuesday.
More information is being released about this case than will be released in other cases because it is being handled by the medical examiner.
Medics who responded to a 911 call were wearing personal protective equipment. After reporting the symptoms to the medical examiner’s office, COVID-19 testing was performed. After results came back positive, ACHD began contact tracing based on information from the family, who has been placed into self-isolation.
Of the 58 cases in the county, six are currently hospitalized.
Washington County has nine cases, Westmoreland has reported 11 and Fayette has two. None of those counties has reported any deaths.
“Our notable increase in cases over the past few days indicate we need everyone to take COVID-19 seriously,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Pennsylvanians have a very important job right now: stay calm, stay home and stay safe. We have seen case counts continue to increase, and the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home.”
Emergency calls
Chief Matt Brown of Allegheny County Emergency Services wants to remind residents to call 911 for critical emergency services only to ensure everyone has access to help in the event of emergency.
“We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone, and that there are many questions, but we want to ensure that 911 is used for emergencies only,” Brown said. “If you need immediate medical assistance, please call 911.
“But if you have questions about COVID-19, please call the county’s 24/7 COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-856-2774. If you have questions about your symptoms, please call your primary care physician. If you do not have a primary care physician, please call the COVID hotline.”
Brown also asks people who want to report non-essential businesses that aren’t complying with Gov. Tom Wolf’s shutdown order to not use 911. Brown said such reports can be made by calling local police departments using their non-emergency phone numbers or calling the nearest state police barracks.
Case reported at Centerville Clinics
Centerville Clinics, Inc. executive director Barry Niccolai announced Tuesday evening that a patient, who is a resident of Greene County, tested positive for COVID-19 at its Uniontown Family Doctors respiratory clinic.
Niccolai said that the patient and all staff have been notified of the positive test result and that the clinic is taking recommended precautions. He said Centerville Clinics has screened more than 500 patients and test more than 150 people at its three locations since March 11.
The state Department of Health did not release any information about the patient prior to presstime.
Poison control
Brown joins the Pittsburgh Poison Center in reminding residents to keep medicines, cleaning products, cosmetics, yard chemicals and other potential poisons out of the reach of children. Adults are also at risk for poisoning.
The poison center has seen an 82% increase in hand sanitizer exposures in the last two weeks compared to the same time period last year.
Hand sanitizers typically contain large amounts of alcohol, and accidental exposures can be dangerous, particularly in children, for stomach irritation, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding and alcohol intoxication with associated complications and injuries.
Homemade sanitizers also run the risk of skin irritation if not manufactured properly. While hand sanitizer use is encouraged, Brown said, it should be supervised use and the potential risks should be known.
Brown said there has also been an increase in reported exposure to toxic alcohols since liquor stores have closed.
“Many individuals who struggle with alcohol use will look to alternatives when their primary source is not available,” Brown said. “This has included drinking of household liquids that can be dangerous including antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, cooking oils, rubbing alcohol and even hand sanitizer as a substitute. Understanding that these are very risky and potentially life-threatening is critical.”
Contact the Pittsburgh Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 as a resource for any questions related to substance exposures and toxicity.
Elections
The Allegheny County Elections Division is suspending all poll-worker training, and all public voting system demonstrations are canceled through April 6.
Voting by mail is now an option in Pennsylvania. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. April 21, and ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. April 28.
To learn more about voting by mail and to apply, visit www.alleghenyvotes.com or www.votespa.com.
Parks
Outdoor areas and restrooms in all nine Allegheny County parks remain open to the public. Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, biking or running, is permitted under Wolf’s stay-at-home order.
There are more than 180 miles of multi-use trails throughout the nine county parks, and residents can go to www.alleghenycounty.us/parktrails to download the parks trail app or use the parks trail web tool.
However, park users are strongly encouraged to practice physical distancing by staying at least six feet apart from each other.
And anyone who is sick is asked to stay at home.
All park business may be conducted by email at webmaster.parks@alleghenycounty.us or by calling 412-350-2455from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
All facility rentals are canceled through April 6 and customers will automatically receive full refunds.
Shuman Center
Effective Tuesday afternoon, parent and guardian visitation at the Shuman Center has ended.
Residents will be allowed additional free phone calls and the administration is working to access additional technology to allow for video communication between residents and families.
To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.
