Pa. positive tests up again

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

After three days of steady declines in the numbers of new coronavirus cases, Pennsylvania’s new positive tests climbed again Friday.

Starting Tuesday, the new cases daily were 1,146, 1,145 and 1,245. On Friday, there were 1,706 new cases reported.  

Despite the spike in new cases, the number of deaths this week continues to trend downward compared to last week when there were three days in which 78 people died. This week, there were two days with 60 deaths and other days reported 63 and 17.  

There were 49 new deaths reported Friday, for a total of 756 since the first death due to the virus was reported March 19.

Allegheny County now has 947 cases, an increase of 22 patients, and five new deaths, bringing that total to 43.

Fayette County saw an increase of six patients, for a total 66 cases. There have been three deaths. 

Washington County added two new cases for a total of 75 patients, and the county has reported one death.

Westmoreland County has nine new cases for a total of 249 and had no new deaths since Thursday. The total deaths remain at 13.

Emergency SNAP benefits

To help those who have been affected by the ongoing coronavirus lockdown, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services began emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit issuance this week. 

Payments include a supplemental increase for both March and April and will continue to be issued for current SNAP households through April 29. 

DHS also advises Pennsylvanians in need of food assistance of local supports that can help meet essential needs during the public health crisis.

DHS received approval from the US Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service to issue emergency payments that will allow DHS to increase a household’s currently monthly payment up to the maximum benefit amount for each household size. 

DHS had requested authorization to issue an additional benefit equal to a household’s monthly payment to all SNAP households and was denied.

These emergency payments are for March and April and will be distributed as a one-time issuance distributed on a staggered schedule continuing through April 29. 

This payment is in addition to a household’s normal April benefit issuance that’s made in the first half of the month. These payments will be placed directly onto a recipient’s EBT card. 

Supplemental payments are in addition to the normal May payment beginning May 1.

DHS also activated the administration’s Feeding Task Force, which brings together state agencies, charitable food networks and other local partners to determine where food needs are, how many meals are needed, how food is getting to people, and how supplies and donations can be allocated to meet feeding needs across Pennsylvania. 

In total, the task force expects to coordinate delivery of more than 758,000 shelf-stable meals.

Individuals and families in need of assistance should contact their local food bank through Feeding PA or Hunger-Free PA to find a food pantry or other distribution site in their community. The United Way of Pennsylvania and the 211 program can also connect people and families to local resources that can help during the public health crisis.

DHS continues to process applications and benefit renewals for SNAP throughout the public health crisis. Emergency SNAP applications can be expedited and issued in five days. Pennsylvanians can apply for SNAP online at www.compass.state.pa.us.