Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1512
Excela Health, St. Clair Hospital prohibiting most hospital patient visits to slow coronavirus
Two hospitals in the region are prohibiting people from visiting patients in an effort to to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Excela Health’s new policy took effect Saturday and only allows patients and staff in the inpatient, outpatient or emergency departments of its facilities. Beginning on Sunday, visitors will...
Carnegie Mellon student tests positive for covid-19 after returning from spring break
A Carnegie Mellon University student has tested positive for covid-19 days after returning to Pittsburgh from spring break, university officials said. “This case of coronavirus in our campus community is a sobering reality, and it is a reminder that every group is potentially vulnerable to the spread of the virus,”...
Pennsylvania reports 103 new covid-19 cases, large clusters in Allegheny County
Pennsylvania reported more than 100 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, bringing the statewide total to 371 confirmed cases and two deaths. Officials expect to see an “exponential increase” in cases in coming days and weeks, said Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine. “What is most important for Pennsylvanians to remember is...
First eaglet of the season hatched at Hays bald eagle nestVideo
The first eaglet of the season, a light gray puff ball, hatched in the Pittsburgh bald eagle nest at 7:40 a.m. Saturday, according to the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. A second egg is expected to hatch Sunday. This is the 11th eaglet for the Hays bald eagle couple, which...
Patient at Jefferson Hospital 1st fatal covid-19 case in Allegheny County
Allegheny County recorded its first coronavirus death Saturday, the second death in the state since Pennsylvania saw its first case two weeks ago. The person was in their late-60s and being treated at Jefferson Hospital, officials said. County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said the family of the deceased asked that officials...
Coronavirus to impact more than 500,000 jobs across the Pittsburgh region
Government directives to close businesses and restrict people’s activities in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus infections and deaths will impact more than a half-million workers in the Pittsburgh region, a top local economist predicts. And the pain will be spread across virtually all industries in the seven-county...
Election limbo as coronavirus outbreak upends U.S. primaries
ATLANTA — U.S. elections have been upended by the coronavirus pandemic. At least 13 states have postponed voting and more delays are possible as health officials warn that social distancing and other measures to contain the virus might be in place for weeks, if not months. The states that have...
Coronavirus world glance: Nearly 5,000 new infections in a day in Spain
MADRID — Spain has recorded almost 5,000 new coronavirus infections in 24 hours as it climbed into third place in the global ranking of infections behind China and Italy. Health authorities said Saturday that virus infections have reached 24,926, up from 19,980 the day before. Total deaths were 1,326, up...
Singer, actor, ‘The Gambler’: Kenny Rogers dies at 81Video
Actor-singer Kenny Rogers, the smooth, Grammy-winning balladeer who spanned jazz, folk, country and pop with such hits as “Lucille,” “Lady” and “Islands in the Stream” and embraced his persona as “The Gambler” on record and on TV, died Friday night. He was 81. He died at home in Sandy Springs,...
Worry and anxiety while planning for birth of baby during coronavirus outbreak
The world can change a lot in nine months. Last fall, everything seemed normal. Summer was drawing to a close. Work was good. My family took a short trip to Lake Erie. Football season was starting. Relatives visited. And my wife and I found out there was an addition to...
Couples scramble to revamp wedding, honeymoon plans amid coronavirus pandemic
After their August engagement, Greensburg couple Gregory Mertz and Janelle Stayt planned a dream wedding. They were going to marry March 21 in Montgomery County, host their reception at Stateside Vodka Bar in Philadelphia and then depart on a European honeymoon. As the fast-spreading coronavirus raced around the globe, the resulting...
Western Pa. colleges orchestrate student departures with eye on safety
As colleges and universities in the region transition to online-only classes in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus, students who haven’t done so already are being asked to move out and gather their belongings from residence halls. A small number of students will remain on campus. Here’s...
Drive-thru covid-19 testing to begin Monday at the Pittsburgh Zoo
Drive-thru testing for covid-19 will be available next week at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Starting Monday morning, testing by the Central Outreach Wellness Center will be available at the zoo’s main parking lot in Pittsburgh’s Highland Park neighborhood, zoo officials announced Friday night. Referrals or prescriptions are not...
Pittsburgh Catholics permitted to get confession in church parking lots, eat meat on Fridays in Lent, bishop says
Catholics in the Diocese of Pittsburgh will be able to say confession in church parking lots, receive general absolution in places such as hospitals and nursing homes, and eat meat on Fridays during Lent, except on Good Friday. The series of directives that Bishop David Zubik issued Friday night, which...
Small businesses scramble to survive amid Pa.’s partial shutdown over coronavirus pandemic
A day after Gov. Tom Wolf imposed an order on all but “non-life-sustaining” businesses to close to thwart the spread of covid-19, local business owners across Western Pennsylvania are scrambling to gauge how the state’s unprecedented shutdown will impact them and navigating how to survive it. Wolf announced Friday night...
Gov. Wolf delays shutdown order; authorities unclear about enforcement
Western Pennsylvania authorities are seeking clarification on how they are supposed to enforce a mandate from Gov. Tom Wolf ordering myriad businesses across the state to shut down. The order affects all businesses deemed non-life-sustaining, and enforcement begins Monday at 8 a.m. It was supposed to start at 12:01 a.m....
Westmoreland business community weighs in on coronavirus restrictions, closuresVideo
In addition to coal production and car dealerships, law offices also were targeted for closure in Gov. Tom Wolf’s edict for non-life-sustaining businesses as part of efforts to slow the coronavirus pandemic. Some local firms, however, say they are needed — and aren’t closing. “I don’t think (Wolf) has the...
Allegheny County sheriff’s deputy tests negative for covid-19; quarantined deputies to return to work
An Allegheny County sheriff’s deputy who was concerned he might have exposed fellow officers to the coronavirus has tested negative, officials said Friday. Fifteen deputies who had begun self-quarantining in case they had been exposed will return to work Monday, Chief Deputy Kevin Kraus said. “The affected deputy will remain...
Norwin school officials: No coronavirus here
Contrary to prior reports, Norwin School District officials say there has not been a confirmed case of the coronavirus in the district. In an updated public statement late Friday afternoon, Norwin School District Superintendent Jeff Taylor said he was informed by emergency managers that reports of a coronavirus case in...
‘Uncharted waters’: Funerals taking higher emotional toll amid coronavirus pandemic
Funeral services and viewings are designed to offer comfort and support to people grieving the deaths of loved ones. Navigating the process under coronavirus restrictions presents a unique challenge to mourners and to funeral homes serving them. “We’re in uncharted waters. Every day the game changes,” said Terry Graft, owner,...
Pittsburgh Langley staff member tests positive for coronavirus
A Pittsburgh Langley staff member has tested positive for the coronavirus, the Pittsburgh Public Schools announced Friday. The district announced early Wednesday that a staffer at Langley was being tested for covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. The district closed Langley’s grab-and-go lunches that day after learning of the...
Pa. ‘looking at every option’ to add hospital capacity as coronavirus cases grow
Health officials fear younger Pennsylvanians are ignoring state orders meant to slow the rise of coronavirus cases and could create a strain on the state’s hospitals and health care systems. “We are seriously concerned that individuals in the 20 to 44 age range are not heeding the message to stay...
Protective gear headed to Westmoreland as confirmed coronavirus cases grows to 4
Officials say Westmoreland County now has four confirmed coronavirus cases after two were added on Friday. There is no other information available on any of the cases. In the meantime, a shipment of personal protective equipment was expected to arrive Friday for Westmoreland County firefighters, police and ambulance personnel, said...
All Pennsylvania standardized testing canceled amid coronavirus pandemic
All Pennsylvania System of State Assessment (PSSA), Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) and Keystone exams have been canceled for the 2019-2020 school year amid the covid-19 pandemic, the state Department of Education announced Friday. “Our school communities are operating within unprecedented conditions,” said Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera. “Schools...
New Ken-Arnold School District employee’s spouse tests positive for coronavirus, 2nd worker quarantined
The spouse of a New Kensington-Arnold School District employee has tested positive for the coronavirus that causes covid-19, the district announced Friday. “The district responded as quickly as possible in this situation,” Assistant Superintendent Jon Banko said. “Self-quarantine is happening, and we are taking steps to address anyone that came...
