Allegheny County setting records with COVID-19 cases

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Allegheny County has experienced three straight days of its highest numbers of new coronavirus cases since the pandemic reached Pennsylvania in March.

Allegheny County saw 90, 96 and 83 new cases on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Before Saturday, the county’s highest number of new cases in a single day was 76 April 4.

County officials ordered all bars and residents to stop on-premises alcohol consumption after 5 p.m. today as a response to the increased number of cases.

Allegheny County Health Department reported its largest weekly increase last week with 393 cases, and the department’s investigation into those new cases revealed the increase was “due, in large part, to crowded conditions at bars, restaurants and other businesses serving alcohol.”

According to ACHD, the order is an effort to abate and mitigate the spread of the virus in the county and will remain in effect until further notice. 

Face masks must be worn by customers while at tables at restaurants that provide in-person dining. Under the order, masks can only be removed for eating and drinking.

Physical distancing of at least 6 feet must be done while at tables inside restaurants and occupancy, including staff, is limited to 50% of the stated fire code maximum occupancy.

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