COUNTY OFFICIAL CONFIRMS FIRST CASE OF COVID-19 IN LYCOMING COUNTY
Lycoming County Coroner, Charles Kiesling Jr. confirmed to the Sun Gazette this morning that there is one living confirmed case of the corona virus that causes COVID-19 in Lycoming County. The patient is being treated at home. According to Kiesling, there could be more cases confirmed moving forward as testing takes place. No deaths have been reported in Lycoming County.
NEW DAILY CORONAVIRUS CASE NUMBERS
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced last night the latest numbers for the corona virus, reporting 207 new cases and a new state wide total to 851. She also reported more deaths with a statewide total now at seven – 2 in Allegheny County, 1 in Lackawanna, Monroe, and Montgomery Counties and 2 in Northampton County. According to Levine, out of all the people in the state who have contracted COVID-19, about 10 percent needed to be hospitalized.
GUNS SHOPS CAN STAY OPEN
Governor Wolf yesterday allowed gun shops across the commonwealth to open on a limited basis during the coronavirus pandemic. According to the SUN Gazette, several justices urged the governor to make the decision which was only included on an updated list of life-sustaining business in PA. Wolf also ordered residents of Erie County, in the state’s northwestern corner, to remain at home with few exceptions, residents of seven other counties — Philadelphia and its suburbs, Monroe County in the Pocono Mountains and Pittsburgh and the rest of Allegheny County — have already been ordered to stay home except for emergencies.
WILLIAMSPORT MAYOR PROPOSES LIMITING OUTDOOR GATHERINGS TO 50
Mayor Derek Slaughter has proposed that no gatherings of groups of more than 50 can be on city streets, parks or other public places until at least May 1st in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19. According to the Sun Gazette, restrictions on city property expire April 2nd and City Council will determine at their next meeting if they will continue. The mayor’s proposed ban will not apply to schools.
PUBLIC TELEVISION OFFERING A TOWN-HALL MEETING OVER COVID-19
Public television will offer a live, hour-long virtual town hall meeting with area health experts and government officials this Thursday night at 8pm. According to a press release, the program is called Keystone Edition: Corona Crisis, and will be a live, hour-long program with no in-studio audience, the public will be able to call during the program or email questions ahead of time to [email protected] to get answers and learn the latest information on the coronavirus pandemic. Viewers can also submit questions through social media using #VIAcoronacrisis.
NEW VISITATION RULES AT UPMC
UPMC has updated their policies yesterday restricting visitors at hospitals in the Susquehanna region as a result of the ongoing threat of COVID-19. According to a hospital press release, all UPMC facilities will limit visitors for most inpatient units with only one in the ER, post-surgery discussions and OB and labor. Pediatric units will allow two visitors. The hospital will no longer allow visitors under the age of 18. Those who are allowed to visit will be screened upon entering the facility and may also be asked about travel and potential exposure to the virus. Anyone exhibiting symptoms of a respiratory infection such as a cough, shortness of breath, and a fever, are asked to remain at home.
SOCIAL SECURITY IN TACT EVEN THOUGH OFFICES CLOSE
Lycoming County residents should feel secure that their Social Security payments will continue even though the offices will close to the public for protection and to help stop the spread of this coronavirus. According to a news release by the Commissioner of Social Security, many services are available online at www.socialsecurity.gov. Use that address as well for information about which services will continue and which ones are suspended, as well as a list of deadlines that are extended to ease the burden on the public and medical providers during this pandemic
WEBINAR FOR PA BUSINESS THIS FRIDAY
There will be a webinar this week for businesses affected by the coronavirus and hosted by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce. According to the chamber website the employer educational webinar is entitled “2020 Coronavirus and Business Next Steps and Best Practices,” and will be held online at 11 am this Friday. Businesses can register at pachamber dot org.
Sports
NFL
The Carolina Panthers have released quarterback Cam Newton, allowing the veteran to sign with another team. Newton was drafted first overall by the Panthers in 2011.
It’s still going to be April 23-25 for this year’s NFL draft despite yesterday’s recommendation from the league’s general manager subcommittee to commissioner that it be moved back due to the COVID-19 pandemic
The NFL will implement league-wide workplace and operational mandates tonight at 6 p.m. that all club facilities were to remain closed to all personnel with the exception of some training and some administrative jobs.
NBA
Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns said in an emotional video last that his mother is in a medically induced coma and had to be put on a ventilator from what he believes to be COVID-19.
The New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia 76’ers co-owners of the teams rescinded this week’s 20% pay-cut to employees who make more than $100K, and will pay full salaries and the 1500 hourly workers will also be paid throughout the regular season
Olympics
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics has officially been postponed to 2021- the games will still be branded for the year 2020
