Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1496
AHN to sterilize, reuse N95 masks for coronavirus protection
A sterilization technique developed by Allegheny Health Network will allow health care workers to reuse their N95 masks up to three times, hospital system officials said Tuesday. As covid-19 cases have increased nationwide, the supply of masks has dwindled. The N95 masks, fitted with respirators, filter out droplets and aerosolized...
20 new coronavirus cases in Westmoreland as statewide death count spikes
Westmoreland County reported 20 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday as deaths statewide soared to more than 200, according to state health officials. The new cases bring the county’s total count to 177 since the first cases of covid-19 were identified there March 19. Statewide, the 1,579 new cases — recorded...
WQED airing classic ‘Mister Rogers Neighborhood’ episodes
We all could use some of Mister Rogers’ positivity right about now. WQED will air three classic episodes of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” starting at 7:30 p.m. April 16 and is encouraging viewers to interact on social media while they are airing, bringing people together for a virtual family movie night...
Pennsylvania sees 78 new coronavirus deaths in biggest single-day spike
Coronavirus deaths in Pennsylvania jumped by 78, state health officials said Tuesday, marking the largest one-day increase as the running case count surpassed 14,000. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine cautioned that there can be a delay in compiling data from over the weekend, meaning some numbers won’t make it...
Beaver County nursing home presuming all residents, staff have covid-19
A Beaver County nursing home facing the largest covid-19 outbreak in the region is presuming that all of its residents and employees may have the disease. Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Brighton Township announced the approach Monday in an unsigned statement. “Thinking about the virus in this way allows...
State police have cited 2, warned 8 for violating stay-at-home order
Pennsylvania State Police have begun enforcing Gov. Tom Wolf’s stay-at-home order now that it has become a statewide mandate, according to Lt. Col. Scott Price, deputy commissioner of operations for state police. So far, troopers have issued two citations and eight warnings to people who allegedly violated the stay-at-home order...
NYC coronavirus deaths exceed 3,200, topping toll for 9/11 attacksVideo
NEW YORK — New York City’s death toll from the coronavirus rose past 3,200 Tuesday, eclipsing the number killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11. In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson lay in intensive care, believed to be the first major world leader hospitalized with the virus. The twin...
2 more people die of coronavirus in Allegheny County as total cases climb to 689
Two more Allegheny County residents have died from complications from covid-19, bringing the countywide total to six, Allegheny County officials reported Tuesday. Of that total, five patients were hospitalized — one in their 60s, two in their 70s, one in their 80s and one in their 90s. One person, who...
From grocery store trips to when the coronavirus lockdown could end: What you need to know today
As the nation braces for what leaders say will be one of the hardest weeks of the coronavirus pandemic , the Tribune-Review reached out to an infectious disease expert to help sort out the issues. Pittsburgh-based Dr. Amesh Adalja, a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, has been...
Trout season opens early amid coronavirus pandemicVideo
Trout season opened Tuesday in Pennsylvania — almost two weeks ahead of schedule, according to the Fish and Boat Commission. Trout fishing started at 8 a.m. The first day of the season had been slated for April 18. “We realize that this announcement is another disruption to tradition, but it...
Heinz History Center collecting materials, content depicting life amid coronavirus
Keep those pictures and other items that show how you’re getting through the coronavirus pandemic — the Senator John Heinz History Center might want them. Curators and archivists at the center in Pittsburgh’s Strip District are collecting materials from the region’s residents that show the local response and experience. That...
Region’s churches spread Holy Week message online
A number of the region’s churches will livestream Holy Week services as the state’s stay at home order remains in effect through the month’s end. • Catholic Diocese of Greensburg’s virtual Holy Week services will be streamed at dioceseofgreensburg.org, facebook.com/dioceseofgreensburg and youtube.com. • Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik...
Police: Body found by hiking family in Shaler
A body was found Monday night in Shaler, according to Shaler Police Chief Sean Frank. The body of a male was found by a man and his family walking along a trail off Marzolf Road Extension, Frank said. Allegheny County Police spokesperson Nando Costa said the incident appears to be...
PennDOT reopens more rest stops along Pennsylvania interstates
PennDOT has reopened four more rest areas after they were closed to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Rest stops that reopened Monday include:Interstate 70 eastbound in Washington County, 3.5 miles east of Exit 1Interstate 81 northbound in Franklin County, 1 mile north of the Maryland state lineInterstate 81...
Pittsburgh aerial photo depicts ‘ghost town’
On Saturday afternoon, David Kahley, chief executive of The Progress Fund of Greensburg, flew his plane over Pittsburgh and snapped an aerial view of a nearly deserted Downtown. “It was unnerving,” Kahley said. “The physical center of the town, its parks, roads, museum and stadium parking lots and rivers, were...
Parks Conservancy reminds visitors to practice social distancing
With state and local parks, state forests and trails seeing record numbers of visitors, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is renewing its call for everyone to practice safe physical distancing. Proper physical distancing is maintaining a minimum of six feet from others. The parks conservancy also urges visitors to follow Gov....
Human remains found near Bethel Park trail; foul play not suspected
A trail walker discovered human remains Monday in Bethel Park, Allegheny County Police said. The person called 911 shortly before 11:30 a.m. after finding the remains while on a trail near trolley tracks, police said. County homicide detectives are investigating but “preliminary indications are that foul play is not suspected,”...
White House pushes unproven drug for virus; doctors waryVideo
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and his administration kept up their out-sized promotion Monday of an malaria drug not yet officially approved for fighting the new coronavirus, even though scientists say more testing is needed before it’s proven safe and effective against covid-19. Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro championed hydroxychloroquine...
Editorial: Coronavirus can’t stop holidays and normal life
Let’s face it: It’s hard to pretend that anything is normal right now. If this were normal, kids would be playing Little League baseball and high school girls would be trying on prom gowns. People would be enjoying the mild spring weather by shopping for plants for the yard. And...
Kiski Area High School grieves online for student killed in ATV crash
As soon as he heard the news, Principal Chad Roland began making a list. Kiski Area High School senior Dominic G. DeFalco, 17, was killed in a rollover ATV crash in Allegheny Township on Sunday. Now, amid a transition to full-scale digital learning and the stress of a global pandemic,...
‘Pandemic’ overtime pay cost Westmoreland County nearly $700K in 1st 2 weeks
Westmoreland County paid $678,000 in overtime wages to more than 1,200 employees for nearly two weeks of work in late March during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioners instituted “pandemic” pay for staff required to report in person for work at the courthouse and in other county offices...
Answering the Call: Pittsburgh nurse talks about her worries during coronavirusVideo
Meghan Dawson is a nurse who works directly with high-risk maternity patients at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. With covid-19 cases rising, she worries about her patients and herself. A wife and mother, Dawson talked with the Tribune-Review about the strain of her job and the toll it is taking on her...
UPMC researchers developing test to measure antibodies in fight against coronavirus
UPMC researchers are among those nationwide and around the world working to learn more about blood tests that could help physicians understand how a person’s body has responded to covid-19. The blood test would measure whether a person has antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes covid-19, and could show...
Giant Eagle to limit number of people allowed in stores
Giant Eagle said Monday it will begin limiting the number of customers who can shop at each store at one time. “As supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies remain in operation as essential community resources, we believe it’s vital to heighten our social distancing and sanitization procedures throughout the store,” company...
Coronavirus is mostly mild and rarely fatal for U.S. kids, data show
The first national data on covid-19 in U.S. children suggest that while the illness usually isn’t severe in kids, some do get sick enough to require hospital treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Monday shows that fever, cough and shortness of breath were the most common...
