Daily Update: April 8, 2020 4 PM

Pennsylvania

• 16,239 confirmed cases, 82,299 tested negative, Deaths 310

Cases by county in the 10-county region per Pennsylvania Department of Health
* case count last updated at 12:00 p.m. on 4/8/2020

State Updates

• Wolf Signs Order to Provide Targeted Distribution of COVID-19 PPE and Supplies to Hospitals: Among myriad actions to support Pennsylvania’s health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tom Wolf today signed an order to provide critical aid to hospitals with targeted PPE and supplies distribution. “Combatting a pandemic means we all have to work together and that means we need to make the best use of our medical assets to ensure the places that need them most have them,” Gov. Wolf said. “Today, I am signing an order that will allow us to transfer supplies and information between medical facilities to both high-population, high-impact areas and lower population areas that might not have as many existing medical resources. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020040873.HTM
• Independent Fiscal Office (IFO): Projected Revenue Impact of COVID-19: In response to a request from the General Assembly, this document updates the Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office’s (IFO) official General Fund revenue estimate for fiscal year (FY) 2019-20 to reflect the projected impact from COVID-19 and provide a preview of revenue estimates for FY 2020-21. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020040871.PDF
• Governor Wolf
  • The Department of Health launched a new hospital preparedness dashboard that provides county-level information, including the number of available beds and ventilators in use at facilities across the state. The dashboard also provides an overview of the capacity of the state’s entire health care system, detailing high population and high impact areas. The dashboard is available here: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
• Secretary of Health Dr. Levine
  • As of 12 am today, there are 1,680 new positive cases.
  • 760 are healthcare workers tested positive; 831 who tested positive are in 157 nursing homes and/or long-term living facilities
  • 1,892 have been hospitalized or 11% of total cases
  • As of 12 pm today, 51% hospital beds, 40% ICU beds and 70% ventilators are still available
  • 309 deaths are adults who tested positive
  • Daily reminders:
    • wash hands 20 seconds or use hand sanitizers if soap and water is not available
    • cover coughs and sneezes and don’t touch your face
    • clean surfaces frequently
    • if going out for life-sustaining activities, wear a mask
  • Reminder for mental health crisis text line, text “PA” to 741741 or 1-855-284-2494
  • Visit Health.pa.gov for most updated info

Regional Updates

• Heinz Endowments announces $2.3 million in emergency grants: The Heinz Endowments announced it will be awarding $2.3 million in grants to help Pittsburgh nonprofit organizations and local government agencies combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization said this was just the first round of grants and will continue to monitor the situation daily.  The Pittsburgh Foundation, Global Links, 412 Food Rescue, Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, Bridgeway Capital, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and Casa San Jose are among some of the organizations that have received $100,000 or more in grant funding from the Heinz Endowments. Read more: https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2020/04/08/heinz-endowments-announces-2-3-million-in.html