Coronavirus News for Wilkes-Barre

The Importance of Self-Care During the Pandemic

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has created a website (Self-Care for Families and Youth) to help students (and families) take care of their own mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. The importance of self-care when learning (or working) from home is essential to help maintain a feeling of calm, balance, and wellness. The new website focuses on self-care strategies to help individuals create a self-care plan. These times can be overwhelming. Through the new website, the Pennsylvania Department of Education hopes to introduce ideas to lower stress, implement techniques to help maintain order and life structure, help put a focus on goals, and provide a distraction to break up the monotony of the same old, same old during the pandemic.The website is broken up into the following two categories: Family Self-Care Strategies and Youth Self-Care Strategies.Subcategories include links to music, meditation, breathing exercises, and educational, live video streams.

Governor Wolf Tests Positive for COVID-19

Harrisburg, PA – Wednesday afternoon, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf released the following statement after testing positive for COVID-19:“During a routine test yesterday, I tested positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms and am feeling well. I am following CDC and Department of Health guidelines. Frances has been tested and, as we await the result, is quarantining at home with me.“I am continuing to serve the commonwealth and performing all of my duties remotely, as many are doing during the pandemic.“As this virus rages, my positive test is a reminder that no one is immune from COVID, that following all precautions as I have done is not a guarantee, but it is what we know to be vital to stopping the spread of the disease and so I ask all Pennsylvanians to wear a mask, stay home as much as possible, socially distance yourself from those not in your household, and, most of all, take care of each other and stay safe.”Governor Wolf is currently in isolation at home.

New Daily Cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania top 8,000

The Pa Department of Health is reporting 8,291 additional confirmed cases of COVID 19 today. The total is now more than 367--thousand cases statewide. The total includes 212 more cases in Luzerne County that continues to have some of the highest cases counts across our region.There are also 194 new deaths reported statewide for a total of 10,757

Luzerne County: Central Court Closed After County Staff Members Test Positive for COVID

Three Luzerne County Staff members who regularly deal with criminal matters have tested positive for COVID -19. All are experiencing minor symptoms and are quarantining at home. As a result, Luzerne County Courts has closed Central Court until Monday, November 30th. All other Court related matters in other locations will proceed as scheduled.The District Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office will be moving to a remote work force with a rotating staff in their respective offices until November 30 as well.All offices and locations potentially impacted will be thoroughly cleaned by County staff.While all County offices remain open, the public is asked to check for an online or mail option to conduct their business prior to entering any County facilities.

New COVID-19 Testing Site Opens Saturday in Dickson City

The state will open a new drive-thru, outdoor COVID-19 testing clinic Saturday morning in the parking lot of the former Kmart in on Route 6 in Dickson City.The clinic will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Saturday through Tuesday.The health department says this This testing site will be open to anyone who feels they need a test. It is important that even people with no symptoms who test positive isolate to stop the spread of COVID-19. The site will be able to test 440 patients per day. No appointment is necessary. You will need a photo ID and Insurance card. The turnaround time is two to seven days.

Another Record Setting Day in Pennsylvania as new COVID-19 cases top 6000

Harrisburg, PA – On November 18, 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 6,339 new, positive cases of COVID-19. 6,339 cases set another new record high for confirmed cases during the pandemic. Currently, there are 2,737 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19; 579 of these patients are in the intensive care unit. While COVID-19 is not exclusive to older patients, the Department of Health does note that most hospitalized patients are ages 65 or older.As of Wednesday morning, an additional 110 deaths were reported, bringing the statewide total to 9,465 deaths. Again, while not exclusive to older patients, the most of the states COVID-19 deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older.More complete, detailed information can be found by looking at the COVID-19 Data Dashboard. which can be found on the PA Department of Health’s website.

COVID Resurgence Leads to New Mitigation Efforts In Pennsylvania

State Health Secretary Rachel Levine is urging Pa hospitals to “prepare now” for the possibility of being strained or even overwhelmed this winter, perhaps by December, and possibly put off some non-urgent procedures. Levine said she has also ordered anyone who enters Pennsylvania to be tested within 72 hours of arriving, and if they can or do not get a negative test, they must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. The order will go into effect Friday, she said, but will not apply to people who commute to neighboring states for work or health care.The health secretary has also strengthened Pennsylvania’s universal masking order, requiring mask-wearing anywhere in the commonwealth where people are indoors close to others who are not members of their households. She said law enforcement and business owners will be responsible for enforcing the order.Levine has also ordered all colleges and universities to implement and enforce testing and quarantine procedures especially as students come and go from holiday and semester breaks.The announcement comes on a day the commonwealth set a pandemic record with 5,900 additional confirmed cases reported . That total includes 223 new cases in Luzerne which has been a hot spot for the last few weeks. Today is the fifth time in the past six days that Pennsylvania has recorded more than 5,000 cases. There are 30 new deaths reported statewide for a total of 9,355.Below are the full details from today's PA Department of Health media teleconference hosted by Dr. Rachel Levine:Harrisburg, PA– As Pennsylvania experiences a resurgence of COVID-19 cases with significantly higher daily case counts than in the spring and hospitalizations on the rise, the Wolf Administration has identified four new mitigation efforts, which Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced today.“It is our collective responsibility to protect our communities and our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians from COVID-19 and to continue to work together to get through this pandemic. These targeted mitigation efforts, combined with existing ones, are paramount to saving lives and protecting our economy,” Gov. Wolf said. “The administration will continue to monitor the risks posed by COVID-19 across the commonwealth and will reinstate or institute new targeted mitigation tactics as necessary.”The efforts announced today include:Protecting Our Health Care SystemDr. Levine issued a memorandum to acute care hospitals outlining expectations to care for Pennsylvanians who need care during the pandemic.Hospitals are to work through the established health care coalitions and other partnerships to prepare for how they will support one another in the event that a hospital becomes overwhelmed during the pandemic. Hospitals should also be working to move up elective procedures necessary to protect a person’s health and prepare to suspend them if our health care system becomes strained. Restrictions on elective surgeries put into effect in March and lifted in April were to help with both PPE and bed capacity and were considered successful.Hospitalizations are increasing, as are ICU patients, and according to modeling from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, which does not take into account hospitalizations from influenza, Pennsylvania will run out of intensive care beds in December if ICU admissions continue at the current rate.The same modeling indicates we will have sufficient medical-surgical beds with some uncertainty as to capacity from region to region.Traveler TestingDr. Levine issued an order requiring anyone who visits from another state to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entering the commonwealth.If someone cannot get a test or chooses not to, they must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Pennsylvania.Pennsylvanians visiting other states are required to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their return to the commonwealth or to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania.This order, which takes effect on Friday, November 20, does not apply to people who commute to and from another state for work or medical treatment. Strengthened Masking OrderDr. Levine first issued a masking order on April 15. The order signed today strengthens this initial order with these inclusions:Masks are required to be worn indoors and outdoors if you are away from your home.When outdoors, a mask must be worn if you are not able to remain physically distant (at least 6 feet away) from someone not in your household the entire time you are outdoors.When indoors, masks will now be required even if you are physically distant from members not in your household. This means that even if you are able to be 6 feet apart, you will need to wear a mask while inside if with people other than members of your household. This order applies to every indoor facility, including homes, retail establishments, gyms, doctors’ offices, public transportation, and anywhere food is prepared, packaged or served.Colleges and UniversitiesThe departments of Health and Education issued recommendations for colleges and universities to implement a testing plan for when students return to campus following the holidays.These recommendations include establishing routine protocols for testing.Colleges and universities should have adequate capacity for isolation and quarantine and should be prepared to enforce violations of established policies such as mask wearing and physical distancing.Every college and university should test all students at the beginning of each term, when returning to campus after a break and to have regular screening testing throughout the semester/term.“We must remain united in stopping COVID-19,” Dr. Levine said. “Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay apart and download the COVID Alert PA app. If you test positive, please answer the call of the case reviewer and provide information that can help protect others. It’s the selfless, right thing to do.”

Another Daily Record Set: COVID-19 Cases Continue to Soar

Harrisburg, PA – Today, November 13, 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) confirmed 5531 additional positive cases of COVID-19, and 30 new deaths. Today’s data once again set a new record for the biggest daily increase of positive cases of the virus since the pandemic began earlier this year. The upward trajectory of new positive cases is staggering. One month ago, on October 12 - 13, the PA Dept. of Health confirmed a combined 2,691 cases of COVID 19. Now, look at the combined two-day totals released for November 12 - 13. On these days, Pennsylvania had a combined 11,019 new positive cases.. This is an increase of 8,328 cases from where PA was at this time last month. For more detailed information and statistics, visit the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Dashboard here.

The Latest: US to allow limited supplies of antibody drug

HONG KONG — Hong Kong and Singapore will establish an "air travel bubble" Nov. 22 allowing travelers from the two cities to visit the other without having to serve quarantine in a first step to stimulate tourism amid the coronavirus pandemic. Under the plan, tourists from either city must take nucleic acid tests before their flight, after arrival and before their return to prove they do not have the coronavirus. They will also have to take designated flights that will carry only passengers travelling within the bubble, with a maximum of 200 travelers. Initially, there will be one flight a day to each city, increasing to two flights after Dec. 7. Officials say the system will be suspended for two weeks if either Hong Kong or Singapore reports a seven-day moving average of more than five untraceable coronavirus infections. ___ HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK: — US to allow limited supplies of new antibody drug — Doctors, nurses may be better prepared for US virus surge — Norway gives quarantine exemption to 2020 Nobel winners — Intensive care space is dwindling across Europe as beds fill again with coronavirus patients — A safe Thanksgiving is possible, though health experts know their advice about avoiding the risks are tough to swallow ___ — Follow AP’s coronavirus pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak ___ HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: BEIJING — A leading Chinese health official is expressing confidence that the country may avoid a second wave of coronavirus infections this winter if it maintains the precautions currently in place. Feng Zijian is deputy director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and tells the financial magazine Caixin that China “will very likely prevent” a new round of infections given present trends and preventive measures. China has largely eliminated new local outbreaks by requiring masks to be worn indoors and on public transport. It also requires two-week quarantines for those entering the country and bans some foreign travelers entirely. Authorities have quickly moved to address local outbreaks by tracing potential contacts, carrying out widespread testing and sometimes locking down entire communities. ___ WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand’s central bank is increasing its monetary stimulus as it tries to counter the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Reserve Bank says that beginning in December, it will provide retail banks with lower funding costs, allowing them to lower borrowing rates for companies and households. That comesplan in addition to a large asset-buying program already introduced by the central bank. The bank also announced Wednesday that it is keeping its benchmark interest rate at a record low 0.25% and is considering lowering it to zero or to a negative rate next year. But the bank also says it is considering reintroducing mortgage restrictions in March due to concerns about an increase in house prices and high-risk lending to housing investors. ___ WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Pacific nation of Vanuatu has recorded its first case of the coronavirus after a citizen who had been repatriated from the United States tested positive while in quarantine. Vanuatu had been among the last handful of countries to have avoided the virus. Health authorities say the 23-year-old man was asymptomatic when he returned home Nov. 4. His infection was confirmed Tuesday after routine testing. Officials say they plan to keep everyone from the same flight in quarantine and to trace the man’s close contacts, but they don’t plan to impose any broader measures in the nation of 300,000 people. ___ SEOUL, South Korea -- The number of South Koreans with jobs declined in October for the eighth straight month, a streak unseen since during a 2009 financial crisis, underscoring the shock unleashed by the coronavirus pandemic. Statistics Korea said Wednesday that 27.09 million had jobs last month. That is 421,000 fewer than a year earlier as global lockdowns decimate jobs in both the country’s domestic service industries and its export-driven manufacturers. Officials say a growing number of people have given up actively searching for work amid the bleak job market. The number of people seen as economically inactive is up more than a half million from a year earlier, to a total of 16.74 million. ___ MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin’s governor has streamed a live social media speech to plead with residents of his state to stay at home to avoid the coronavirus, speaking after the state reported new daily highs for infections and deaths. Gov. Tony Evers said Tuesday night that he is advising businesses to allow employees to work remotely and to require masks and limit the number of people in stores and offices that are open. The governor has been imploring people to stay home and wear masks for months to little avail. The courts have overturned some of his mandates, including a stay-at-home order and a decree limiting gatherings in bars, restaurants and other places. The state Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Monday on Evers’ statewide mask mandate, which remains in effect. ___ ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Athletes at five New Mexico universities are asking Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for more flexibility in pandemic rules that would let them hold full practices and play games — something colleges in other states are being allowed to do. The student athletes are from the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, Eastern New Mexico University, New Mexico Highlands and Western New Mexico University. They say positive tests among athletes are lower than in the general community and that shows they have been adhering to safe protocols and should be allowed to practice and compete. State officials said Tuesday they understand athletes want to compete, but public health is the top priority. Acting state Higher Education Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez said in a statement that “we must make tough decisions that will save the lives of New Mexicans, including students, faculty and staff members at our state’s colleges and universities.” ___ RENO, Nev. -- The mayor of Reno, Nev., is warning that she will fine people who don’t wear face masks and will shut down businesses if residents fail to redouble their personal efforts to fight the recent dramatic increase in coronavirus infections. Mayor Hillary Schieve cited a variety of indicators Tuesday signaling a worsening of the threat of the pandemic locally and statewide. She says a “perfect storm” is threatening to overwhelm hospitals in Reno and Sparks. Gov. Steve Sisolak scheduled a news conference Tuesday evening to address the situation. The combined number of confirmed and suspected coronavirus hospitalizations statewide has grown from about 600 on Oct. 30 to about 900 Monday. ___ JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, his wife and their three daughters are in isolation after the youngest tested positive for the coronavirus. The governor announced his daughter’s infection shortly after he canceled his coronavirus news conference that was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. He said in a social media post that “she feels OK, but could still use prayers!” Maddie Reeves, 8, attends a private elementary school in Jackson. An executive order issued by Reeves requires children and teachers to wear masks in public and private schools. Reeves says everyone in his family is being tested for the virus. Like many other states, Mississippi has seen a sharp increase in virus cases in recent weeks, with 933 newly confirmed cases reported Tuesday. Sixteen of Mississippi’s 82 counties are under a mask mandate that is set to expire Wednesday. ___ ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Maryland will reduce indoor operations for bars and restaurants from 75% to 50% in response to rising coronavirus cases and increased hospitalizations. Gov. Larry Hogan says the new limits will take effect at 5 p.m. Wednesday. State health officials issued a public health advisory strongly discouraging indoor gatherings of 25 people or more after contact tracing data showed an increase in cases resulting from family gatherings and house parties. The announcement came Tuesday after the state reported 54 more people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in the previous 24 hours. The total number of people hospitalized with the disease increased to 761, the highest since June. Maryland also reported 1,338 new coronavirus cases Tuesday — the seventh straight day of at least 1,000 cases. ___ WASHINGTON — The U.S. has surpassed 1 million new confirmed coronavirus cases since the start of November. The tally of cases in just 10 days shows the reach of the virus amid a strong fall surge. Several states posted new highs Tuesday, including 12,000 new cases in Illinois and more than 7,000 in Wisconsin, where the governor planned to take the unusual step of delivering a live address to the state urging unity and cooperation to fight the virus. The death toll is also soaring and hospitals in several states are at the breaking point. Indiana reported 63 new deaths Tuesday ___ TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas’ largest public school district has scrapped plans to allow its middle and high school students to attend some in-person classes amid a surge in coronavirus cases across the state. Three counties also have imposed new restrictions inspired by the coronavirus pandemic. Kansas is seeing its largest numbers of new confirmed coronavirus cases since the pandemic reached the state in early March. Public health officials say people aren’t wearing masks enough and are letting their guard down at gatherings, including family events such as birthday parties and baby showers. In Wichita, the state’s largest city, the local school board decided Monday that middle and high school students will continue to take classes remotely until the end of the current semester. The district had planned to allow them to have in-person classes twice a week, starting this week. ___ GILETTE, Wyo. — The son of a Wyoming state representative who opposed COVID-19 public restrictions says his father was positive for the coronavirus when he died. The Gillette News Record reports Roy Edwards, 66, died Nov. 2 at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper after being hospitalized for more than a week with an undisclosed illness. Mitch Edwards says his father was initially told he had a sinus inflammation and did not need to be tested for COVID-19. Edwards continued to oppose public restrictions resulting from the pandemic during his recent campaign to retain his House seat. He was reelected the day after he died. ___ SALEM, Ore. — Gov. Kate Brown and Oregon health officials warned Tuesday of the capacity challenges facing hospitals as COVID-19 case counts continue to spike in the state. The Oregon Health Authority recorded a record 285 confirmed COVID-19 patients in hospitals Tuesday — a 57% increase in just the past week and an 83% increase in the past four weeks. Currently, out of Oregon’s 703 listed intensive care unit beds, 27% are available and about 18% of non-ICU adult hospital beds in the state are available, based on data on from the health authority’s website. The previous record for hospitalizations in the state, outside of November, was 179 in October. Prior to the end of October, the record of COVID-19 related hospitalizations was 165 in July. ___ TORONTO — The top health official for Canada’s largest city says the spread of COVID-19 has never been greater in Toronto so she’s using her powers to continue to prohibit indoor dining in Toronto. Toronto had been due to lift some restrictions this coming weekend but Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa says there are 533 new cases in the city on Tuesday. She says the test positive rate is now a high of 5.9%. She is urging people in Toronto to limit social gatherings to only the people with whom they live. Toronto Mayor John Tory says unprecedented actions are necessary. ___ COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Authorities at a county jail in Colorado have said 859 of the 1,246 inmates in custody last Sunday tested positive for COVID-19 along with 66 employees. The El Paso County sheriff’s office says two of the employees were hospitalized over the weekend as coronavirus cases surged at the facility. The Gazette reports that spokeswoman Deborah Mynatt did not disclose the status of the two employees who were hospitalized or if they were civilian employees or deputies, citing privacy concerns. Officials first reported the outbreak on Oct. 26 when eight inmates tested positive for COVID-19. Mynatt compared the outbreak to a wildfire and said officials are trying to control further spread.

COVID-19: Highest Daily Increase of Cases in Pa.

The 2020 election isn't the only story Pennsylvanians should be paying attention to. While it hasn't had a prominent place in terms of focus, COVID-19 and the coronavirus pandemic is still with us and the numbers continue to rise.Below is a press release from the Pennsylvania Department describing the highest daily increase of cases since the pandemic began. Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19: Highest Daily Increase of 2,900 Additional Positives Bring Statewide Total to 220,566November 05, 2020Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., November 5, that there were 2,900 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 220,566. This is the highest daily increase of cases.The most accurate daily data is available on the website, with archived data also available.The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between October 29 and November 4 is 288,689 with 16,992 positive cases. There were 43,941 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., November 4.The Wyoming County Courthouse will remain closed today. It closed early yesterday afternoon after two employees tested positive for COVID-19. County officials say anyone who has been in contact with the two employees have been tested or will undergo testing soon. The county commissioners plan to meet virtually over the weekend to decide whether to reopen the courthouse Monday. An update will be posted online at wycopa.org.