North Charleroi reports 1st COVID-19 case; declares state of emergency

By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
A case of COVID-19 is in at least one Mid-Mon Valley community in Washington County.
On Monday, North Charleroi Mayor Steve Hega said he was notified of the first confirmed case in the borough.
Following the news, Hega declared a state of emergency in the borough.
“Around 11 a.m. yesterday, I received word of a confirmed COVID-19 case in the borough and decided to put us in a state of emergency until further notice,” Hega said.
“I am following the guidelines issued by Gov. Tom Wolf and we will continue to do whatever he recommends.”
Hega said since receiving news of the case, the borough’s only street department employee has been furloughed with pay to self quarantine as a precaution.
The identity of the person and the hospital they are being treated at were not released, Hega said.
“We are not sure who this person has had contact with but we don’t want to take any chances,” he said.
Currently, the borough building is shut down and is being heavily sanitized.
Residents can call the borough with questions or concerns and calls will be returned, Hega said.
“Residents can call the number and we are checking the voicemails daily,” he said. “But there are not going to be any pot holes filled for awhile, I can tell you that much.”
While most businesses within the borough that are nonessential have voluntarily closed, Hega said he made rounds yesterday to businesses still operating to check for waivers or to order them to shut their doors.
“These were the governor’s orders and we are following suit,” he said. “I am ordering everyone to close their doors and stay inside until further notice. This is an indefinite declaration until we see that we are turning the corner from this.”
“We are in a state of emergency until this settles down a bit, which I hope for all of our sakes is soon.”
Hega said council will meet via conference call until further notice and parks will be locked down.
“I am concerned for our residents,” Hega said. “We have a high rise in our little community and if someone in that building were to contract this virus, it will be game over. That will put us in pretty bad shape.”
Hega was not notified of the confirmed case by the state.
Being that the borough is in Washington County, the state Department of Health is issuing all information related to confirmed cases in Washington County and is not releasing communities or names of those who have contracted the virus.
“I was notified by one of our borough people that they had contact with this person who is a resident and I think our people need to know,” Hega said. “This is not something I want to hide from them. They need to know.”
Hega said he hopes this realization will encourage those who have been lax in their response to the virus to take it more seriously.
“Right now, I think there is an attitude where people think it’s not that big of a deal and it won’t come here,” Hega said. “Well, it’s here.“I never dreamed in my life time we would be going through something like this and I surely never thought it would hit my tiny little borough but it has and my people need to know to be careful.”
While the orders may seem strict, Hega said they are necessary.
“It is my job to keep the people safe,” Hega said. “So, until this is over we will be doing everything we can, the whole nine yards, to make sure people are self-distancing, staying inside and shutting their doors. Whatever is necessary.”
Hega said the school district has been notified, as they were using the Lock 4 Volunteer Fire Company as a pick-up location for lunches and alternative arrangements have been made.
“We are looking forward to when this is over and things can go back to normal, but right now it is not worth it to risk anyone’s health,” he said. “Especially when this is in our neighborhood.”