Coronavirus category, Page 188

With its economic and health impacts unmistakable, the coronavirus pandemic is revealing environmental tradeoffs as it lingers on. From a spike in hand-sanitizing wipes to paper towels to personal protective equipment (PPE), sustainability has been moved to the back burner. “In the middle of a global health pandemic, you want...

Allegheny County reported 31 more covid-19 cases and two deaths Friday, increasing the countywide total of confirmed or probable cases to 1,582 and the death toll to 141. The jump in new cases reflected information reported to the county health department in the past 24 hours and includes testing conducted...

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy extended the closure of all of its park facilities and restrooms Friday, despite Allegheny County moving to the yellow phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s tiered reopening plan. While the city parks remain open, all public programming and special events have been postponed. “The health and safety...

As coronavirus cases in nursing and personal care homes continue to rise, a growing chorus is calling for those numbers to be recorded separately from the overall number of cases and deaths. Those cries are getting particularly loud in Pennsylvania, where one of the metrics for easing pandemic-related restrictions focuses...

Parents and doctors around the world have expressed fears over a severe inflammatory syndrome in children that some have tied to the covid-19 pandemic. But doctors in Pittsburgh stress there is not enough information to be alarmed. The condition, called multisystem inflammatory syndrome, is comparable to Kawasaki Syndrome, a rare...

Jim Murphy said the coronavirus restrictions imposed by the government are killing his business at the Rostraver Ice Garden and Murphy’s Pub off Route 51 in Rostraver. “I’ve lost $100,000 in bookings that’s not ice-related. I can’t open Murphy’s Pub. I’ve lost the home show, lost graduation parties, pro wrestling...

MEXICO CITY — As Mexico moves toward a gradual reactivation of its economy Monday, the number of new coronavirus infections grows higher every day, raising fears of a new wave of infections that other countries have seen after loosening restrictions. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is straddling the issue, telling...

Area restaurant owners have seen their sales slashed while restricted to takeout or delivery service during the covid-19 pandemic. But several say they don’t intend to go beyond guidelines of the governor’s phased plan for restarting the economy, because of the risk of penalties and out of consideration for their...

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday said refrigerated trucks that preserved the bodies of coronavirus victims during the pandemic may be used for food transport after a thorough cleaning. The FDA has released a handbook on converting the trailers back to their original purpose of hauling food. New...

Two more residents have died from the coronavirus at Kane Community Living’s Glen Hazel location, according to information from Allegheny County and Kane officials. Eighteen residents have died at the county-run facility since the outbreak began in late March. Of the 174 residents who live in the Glen Hazel facility,...

Pittsburgh Public Schools officials on Thursday said they remain uncertain as to whether in-person learning will begin in the fall. “Based on our timeline right now, I would say there is an expectation, but we just don’t know,” said Superintendent Anthony Hamlet. “I’d say the greatest challenge right now is...

The Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh is suing Gov. Tom Wolf in Commonwealth Court because it said it sees an unfair double standard in construction rules. The move is part of an effort to convince Wolf to revise rules for construction that make it harder to build homes than offices,...

Kenny Chesney’s May 30 concert at Heinz Field will have to wait. The popular country music star officially announced Thursday that his 2020 “Chillaxification Tour” is postponed until next year because of the coronavirus pandemic. “With so many tours needing to move and wanting to make sure we are in...

Gov. Tom Wolf is bringing to life the maxim: Never let a good crisis go to waste. As the covid-19 pandemic continues, Wolf wants to roll out a new program that will cripple the state financially and supposedly fix a problem the governor himself is causing. Through his Commonwealth Civilian...

Voters in 20 Westmoreland County precincts will see some temporary changes at the polls during the June 2 primary election. Ten polling places have been combined for the election and 10 others are being moved temporarily because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Four polling places will be moved permanently...

Health officials reported three new coronavirus cases in Westmoreland County on Thursday, a day before the county is set to ease restrictions and open up some shuttered parts of the economy. The new cases bring the county’s running total to 422 since the first positive test on April 5. Thirty-two...

The coronavirus death toll in Pennsylvania surpassed 4,000 on Thursday, a day before more than a dozen new counties were set to ease restrictions and resume some semblance of everyday life. State health officials reported 275 more covid-19 deaths and 938 newly identified cases of the virus. The Department of...

There have been numerous cases in which the state granted waivers allowing some businesses to operate during the state’s coronavirus shutdown while other, similar businesses were denied, according to state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale. That’s not an inherent sign of improper behavior by the state Department of Community and Economic...

WASHINGTON — Despite White House claims, the U.S. still lacks a comprehensive battle plan against the coronavirus in critical areas including masks, testing, treatments and vaccines, whistleblower Rick Bright warned Thursday in testimony before a House committee. “Our window of opportunity is closing,” he declared. The nation could face “the...

Allegheny County reported no new coronavirus deaths Thursday, holding the countywide death toll at 139. This comes after officials on Wednesday reported 12 more deaths and 19 additional cases of covid-19. That was among the highest number of deaths reported in a single day; however, those deaths could have occurred...

Most of Southwestern Pennsylvania, including Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, will move from the red phase to the yellow phase of the state’s tiered reopening plan Friday. Some restrictions put in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus will be eased or lifted. Here’s what you need to know: Do...