Pennsylvania

• 851 confirmed cases, 8,643 tested negative, Deaths 7

Cases by county in the 10-county region per Pennsylvania Department of Health
* case count last updated at 12:00 p.m. on 3/24/2020

State Updates

• The PA Department of Community and Economic Development updated its “essential business” guidelines. As of 2:30 pm today, this list is the most updated. Here are some of the changes:
  • Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing (previously not allowed, now allowed)
  • Other Wood Product Manufacturing (previously not allowed, now allowed)
  • Lumber and Other Construction Materials Merchant Wholesalers (previously not allowed, now allowed)
  • Telecommunications resellers (previously not allowed, now allowed; except retailers selling devices at physical locations not permitted)
  • Firearms dealers may operate physical businesses on a limited basis to complete only the portions of a sale/transfer that must be conducted in-person under the law, subject to certain restrictions (see chart).

• Notes from the Administration’s 2 pm press conference are below.  Only Secretary Levine reported and took questions.
  • As of 12 am, 207 new cases of COVID-19 / state total at 851 cases
  • Yesterday had 165 new cases; ~70 have been hospitalized (hospitalization rate continues at ~10%)
  • Negative cases are ~8,000
  • 7 PA Deaths
  • Unfortunately still continues to see numbers increase each day
  • What can you do to help?
    • Donate blood – contact American Red Cross (donation centers are taking appropriate precautions)
    • Donate to local food banks – contact local food bank (can donate safely while social distancing)
    • Stay home
  • Reminder crisis text line, text “PA” to 741741
  • Visit Health.pa.gov for most updated info

Regional Coronavirus Update:

Allegheny County

• County Manager McKain has announced that operations across all departments have changed in order to combat the spread of COVID-19. These changes will be reviewed and adjustments will be made as needed.
• The Elections Division has suspended all poll-worker training through Monday, April 6^th as well as voting system demonstrations.
• The Fire Academy field and classroom operations have been suspended until further notice.
• Deadline for administrative appeals to the Allegheny County Health Department have been extended to April 6^th.
• All County Parks remain open for use. The County encourages maintaining social distancing practices while recreating.
• Police Academy training will remain suspended until further notice.
• Shuman Center has restricted parent and guardian visitation to the center. Residents have been awarded free phone calls and the administration is working to provide alternative technology to facilitate communication.

Federal Coronavirus Update:

The White House

• President Trump, Vice President Pence and members of the COVID-19 Task Force participated in a virtual town hall hosted by Fox News.  POTUS stated that he is ready to phase out his 15-day, self-isolating guidelines when they expire.  Additionally, his new goal is to have the country back to normal by April 12^th.

Food and Drug Administration

• According to principal deputy commissioner Dr. Amy Abernethy, a randomized controlled trial is the most appropriate way to determine whether antimalarial drugs (chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine) fit within a potential treatment program for patients with COVID-19.
• The State Department has established a task force to assist in bringing over 13,000 Americans back into the country as foreign borders have closed and commercials flights have been suspended or cancelled.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

• FEMA as reported that the Defense Production Act is being used for the first time to secure medical equipment, including test kits and face masks.
• FEMA has launched a website to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts relative to COVID-19.

Department of Defense

• Defense Secretary Mark Esper upgraded the Pentagon’s health protection level to its second-highest setting, putting more restrictions on entering the building in response to COVID-19.  The health protection level could include some medical screening including temperature testing.
• The USNS Mercy is being deployed to Los Angeles to help relieve hospitals by helping with non-COVID-19 patients and freeing up bed space.

2020 Tokyo Olympics

• Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the IOC President Thomas Bach have agreed to postpone the 2020 games by one year; officials are looking for a new date.  This is the first time that the Olympics have been rescheduled during peacetime.

India

• India’s Prime Minister announced ‘total lockdown’ of the country’s 1.3B people – the world’s most extensive stay-at-home order.