Coronavirus – COVID-19

Wolf asks Trump for major disaster declaration
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/03/29/Pennsylvania-Tom-Wolf-asks-Trump-major-disaster-declaration-financial-help-COVID-19/stories/202003290119

Stay-home order won’t slow virus in Pa. yet
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/stay-home-order-won-t-slow-virus-in-pa-yet-1.2612898

Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Cases up to 3,394, including four more deaths; Lehigh Valley adds 74 cases
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-lehigh-valley-0329-20200329-fplyr7crljcl3ozjn6xdm2xjhq-story.html

Allegheny County’s COVID-19 cases jump to 265; Lawrence County reports first death
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/03/29/Allegheny-County-COVID-19-coronavirus-cases-jump-to-265/stories/202003290117

Allegheny County sees 46 new coronavirus cases, bringing total to 265
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-sees-46-additional-covid-19-cases-in-one-day/

Coronavirus cases in Chester County spike to 137
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/coronavirus-cases-in-chester-county-spike-to/article_3259e6be-71f3-11ea-bae5-a35b9b08fcdb.html

State health officials report spike in region’s COVID-19 cases
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/state-health-officials-report-spike-in-region-s-covid-19-cases-1.2612597

Luzerne County cases rise to 94; statewide total at 3,394
https://www.timesleader.com/news/778139/luzerne-county-cases-rise-to-96-statewide-total-at-3394

29 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Luzerne County
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/29-new-covid-19-cases-confirmed-in-luzerne-county-1.2612775

Beaver County now at 28 COVID-19 cases, Lawrence County reports first death
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200329/beaver-county-now-at-28-covid-19-cases-lawrence-county-reports-first-death

20 residents at Brighton Rehabilitation test positive for COVID-19, officials ask for donations of supplies
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200329/20-residents-at-brighton-rehabilitation-test-positive-for-covid-19-officials-ask-for-donations-of-supplies

9 more residents of Beaver County nursing home diagnosed with covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/regional/9-more-residents-of-beaver-county-nursing-home-diagnosed-with-covid-19/

2 residents of St. Barnabas Nursing Home in Richland test positive for covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/two-residents-of-st-barnabas-nursing-home-in-richland-test-positive-for-covid-19/

State: 6 additional covid-19 cases reported in Westmoreland County
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/state-six-additional-covid-19-cases-reported-in-westmoreland-county/

Blair confirms a third virus case
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2020/03/blair-confirms-a-third-virus-case/

Coronavirus in Pa.: COVID-19 patient dies at WellSpan Health
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/03/29/coronavirus-pa-patient-dies-wellspan-health/2936804001/

Coronavirus cases swamping St. Luke’s in Poconos, where hospital official says cases have been undercounted
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-stluke-poconos-20200329-zjj2oxbqvbcafeu27qartqezv4-story.html

Unable to get tested for coronavirus in Pa., he drove to Delaware: The risks and rewards of ‘test hopping’
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-montgomery-county-pennsylvania-delaware-philadelphia-20200330.html

Day care operators confused over state directives; reopening on hold
https://triblive.com/local/regional/day-care-operators-confused-over-directives-reopening-on-hold/

MacGyvering the coronavirus: Designers rig makeshift ventilators, valves, and more
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-ventilators-shortage-innovation-engineering-design-diy-20200330.html

Amid coronavirus threat, ICE release two immigrant detainees in Pa.
https://www.witf.org/2020/03/30/amid-coronavirus-threat-ice-release-two-immigrant-detainees-in-pa/

Trump extends federal stay-at-home, social distancing guidelines for 30 more days
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/03/29/Trump-coronavirus-social-distancing-stay-at-home-guidelines-White-House-briefing/stories/202003290145

How the coronavirus stimulus package can help retirees and savers
https://www.inquirer.com/consumer/coronavirus-stimulus-package-401k-retirement-savings-20200330.html

West Virginia reports state’s first coronavirus death
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/03/29/West-Virginia-first-coronavirus-death-reported/stories/202003290172

Travel industry was flying high, then COVID-19 grounded the world
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/travel/2020/03/30/travel-agents-agencies-airlines-COVID-19-coronavirus-Pittsburgh-region/stories/202003270008

Ohio governor gets FDA approval for surgical mask sterilization technology
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2020/03/30/Ohio-Governor-DeWine-surgical-mask-sterilization-technology-FDA-coronavirus/stories/202003300037

How one governor’s actions highlight the strengths — and shortcomings — of state-led interventions
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/how-one-governors-actions-highlight-the-strengths-and-shortcomings-of-state-led-interventions/

Legislature

Legislators who voted to help fracking industry ignored its impact on the environment | PennLive letters
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/03/legislators-who-voted-to-help-fracking-industry-ignored-its-impact-on-the-environment-pennlive-letters.html

Wolf correct on gas veto
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/wolf-correct-on-gas-veto-1.2612639

Ending the Pennsylvania economic shutdown | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/03/ending-the-pennsylvania-economic-shutdown-opinion.html

Administration

Wolf administration lays off about 2,500 state employees as financial fallout from virus deepens
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/03/29/Pennsylvania-Wolf-administration-state-employees-layoffs-financial-fallout-coronavirus-COVID-19/stories/202003290123

Wolf administration lays off about 2,500 state employees amid coronavirus outbreak
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/wolf-administration-lays-off-about-2500-state-employees-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/

Budget

State budgets will be reeling from coronavirus — but there may be lessons for next time | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/coronavirus-rainy-day-fund-depleted-harrisburg-trenton-reforms-20200330.html

PA budget must take back seat
https://www.altoonamirror.com/opinion/editorials/2020/03/pa-budget-must-take-back-seat/

Business

Gov. Tom Wolf’s coronavirus business-closure order hobbles manufacturing supply chains in Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/business/covid-19-wolf-closure-order-manufacturing-supply-chain-20200330.html

Coronavirus has infected the economy, hitting hourly workers and small business owners the hardest
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/03/coronavirus-has-infected-the-economy-hitting-hourly-workers-and-small-business-owners-the-hardest.html

‘Pretty much in shock’: Many Berks County small-business owners are reeling amid coronavirus shutdown
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/pretty-much-in-shock-many-berks-county-small-business-owners/article_af7284f2-705f-11ea-8422-e34470aac7f9.html

Dunmore business owners donating pizza to frontline workers
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/dunmore-business-owners-donating-pizza-to-frontline-workers-1.2612783

Crime/Punishment

Inmate inside southeast Pa. prison tests positive for the coronavirus
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-inmate-coronavirus-montgomery-county-sci-phoenix-20200329.html

Inmate inside southeast Pa. prison tests positive for the coronavirus
https://papost.org/2020/03/29/inmate-inside-southeast-pa-prison-tests-positive-for-the-coronavirus/

Priest steps down at Laflin parish amid abuse allegations
https://www.timesleader.com/news/778191/priest-steps-down-at-laflin-parish-amid-abuse-allegations

Education

School districts develop plans, implement online learning
https://triblive.com/local/regional/school-districts-develop-plans-implement-online-learning/

Saucon Valley among first to roll out formal online learning as students remain home during coronavirus pandemic
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-online-learning-coronavirus-saucon-valley-20200330-6rgqan3ln5eptbkod5xnsls3em-story.html

For Pa. state universities, online courses involve a learning curve for faculty, students alike
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/03/for-pa-state-universities-online-courses-involve-a-learning-curve-for-faculty-students-alike.html

Elections/Politics

Candidates get creative campaigning amid COVID-19 outbreak
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/03/29/pa-political-candidates-campaign-covid-19/stories/202003290038

A deep dive into Bucks County’s 18th House District special election and what it tells us | Analysis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/a-deep-dive-into-bucks-countys-18th-house-district-special-election-and-what-it-tells-us-analysis/

Health Care

Spurring reform: States making it easier for shared health care
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/03/30/Spurring-reform-States-making-it-easier-for-shared-health-care/stories/202003270037

Asthma effects unsure; better safe than sorry
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/asthma-effects-unsure-better-safe-than-sorry-1.2612670

Dentists turning to technology to keep patients healthy
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/dentists-turning-to-technology-to-keep-patients-healthy-1.2612900

Pa. eases rules for health care workers, others as coronavirus crisis reveals ‘inflexibility’ in professional licensing
https://papost.org/2020/03/29/pa-eases-rules-for-health-care-workers-others-as-coronavirus-crisis-reveals-inflexibility-in-professional-licensing/

Local News

Lawsuit against priest, diocese, bishops can proceed
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/monday-update-lawsuit-against-priest-diocese-bishops-can-proceed-1.2612827

West Scranton fire station reopens following ‘brownout’
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/west-scranton-fire-station-reopens-following-brownout-1.2612784

County coronavirus crisis team will hit the ground running
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-coronavirus-crisis-team-will-hit-the-ground-running-1.2612675

County libraries taking extra steps during pandemic
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-libraries-taking-extra-steps-during-pandemic-1.2612781

Philly

Coronavirus is keeping Philly medical students out of hospitals, but we are still contributing l Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid19-penn-temple-jefferson-medical-students-20200329.html

Philly’s new moms can now get breastfeeding counseling via video chat during coronavirus pandemic
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus-philadelphia-mothers-breastfeeding-lactation-counseling-pacify-free-20200330.html

Suspected gunman found critically wounded after standoff in Northeast Philly ends with a shootout
https://www.inquirer.com/news/swat-standoff-holmesburg-philadelphia-gun-battle-20200330.html

Multiple shootings reported in Philadelphia during coronavirus stay-at-home order
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/03/multiple-shootings-reported-in-philadelphia-during-coronavirus-stay-at-home-order.html

Pitt

Pittsburgh homes are selling, but at a slower pace during the shutdown
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/03/29/Pittsburgh-homes-selling-slower-pace-covid-19-real-estate-market-coronavirus/stories/202003290023

Pittsburgh priest tests positive for COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/03/29/Pittsburgh-Catholic-priest-father-adam-potter-tests-positive-COVID-19-coronavirus/stories/202003290133

Billboard disputes: City and Lamar need to set aside differences
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/03/30/Billboard-disputes-City-and-Lamar-need-to-set-aside-differences/stories/202003200048

Food Podcast: How Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank assists during the coronavirus pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/food-podcast-how-greater-pittsburgh-community-food-bank-assists-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

State News

From Pa. science fairs to coronavirus response coordinator: Deborah Birx’s path to the White House
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/deborah-birx-white-house-coronavirus-task-force-trump-carlisle-20200330.html

Mt. Pleasant native leads UCLA battle against coronavirus
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/mt-pleasant-native-leads-ucla-battle-against-coronavirus/

Technical delays keep medical cannabis caregivers from helping more patients
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/technical-delays-keep-medical-cannabis-caregivers-from-helping-more-patients-1.2612728

Transportation

Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission’s traffic signal program improves traffic, air quality
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/03/29/Southerwestern-Pennsylvania-Commission-traffic-signals-148-intersections-improved/stories/202003260188

‘Unprecedented’ drop in demand driving gasoline prices down
https://triblive.com/local/regional/unprecedented-drop-in-demand-driving-gasoline-prices-lower/