Allegheny County: Shutdown ordered over COVID-19 spike

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — With a spike in coronavirus cases expected to continue growing, Allegheny County, home to Pittsburgh and 1.2 million residents, imposed a one-week shutdown of bars and restaurants and all gatherings of more than 25 people starting today.

The order is to take effect after midnight Thursday, the county’s health director, Dr. Debra Bogen, said, ahead of the July Fourth holiday when health officials fear that the virus will spread through packed holiday celebrations.

Bogen also asked Allegheny County residents to follow a voluntary stay-at-home protocol, limiting travel outside the home to necessities.

The order came as Pennsylvania reported its highest one-day total of confirmed coronavirus cases since May, and Allegheny County reported its highest one-day total of positive tests that more than doubled the previous high.

On Twitter, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who lives in Allegheny County, called Thursday’s figure “truly alarming.” Allegheny County officials said the increase was larger than expected and that they expected another significant increase in Friday’s report. 

Health officials in Philadelphia and Allegheny County say they are finding that many of the people testing positive are describing socializing in bars and returning from beach vacations and travel to coronavirus hot spots in other parts of the U.S.

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