There are now 14 presumptive positive cases of coronavirus in Pennsylvania. Department of Health officials say the most recent cases are in Bucks County and are adults living in the same home. Both are in isolation at home with mild symptoms. The pair had attended an out-of-state gathering where they came into contact with two other people who later tested positive for the coronavirus.
Students at Muhlenberg College have until 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon to move out of their on-campus housing after the college said it will end on-campus classes over concerns about the coronavirus. While there are no confirmed coronavirus cases at Muhlenberg, the last in-person classes are scheduled for Friday. After that, alternate methods of instruction will be offered for all courses beginning March 18 and will continue through April 13. The college will provide room and board only to students who have no option but to remain on campus. Meanwhile, West Chester University is closing its campus for the rest of the spring semester because of the coronavirus, even though the school doesn't have any confirmed cases. School officials say it's closing out an abundance of caution and school business will be done remotely for the time being.
All visitors and volunteers are now banned at Northampton County Prison. Officials enacted the plan amid fears of the coronavirus spreading, though no confirmed cases exist in the Lehigh Valley. People hoping to communicate with inmates can still do it by phone, video or mail. There's no word yet on how long the policy will remain in place.
Officials in Philadelphia say they have confirmed the city's first case of the coronavirus. Mayor Jim Kenney made the announcement Tuesday afternoon that one adult from Philadelphia has contracted the virus and is currently self-quarantined at home. Meanwhile, due to coronavirus fears, the city has cancelled its annual St. Patrick's Day parade that was scheduled for Sunday.
Gov. Tom Wolf says Pennsylvania's insurers are stepping up to try to prevent a major coronavirus problem here. "Major health insurance companies, those providing comprehensive medical coverage here in Pennsylvania, have agreed to cover the costs of past diagnostic tests and associated health care costs," Wolf says. The governor says no resident should bypass testing if it's recommended by a doctor.
New Jersey is reporting its first coronavirus-related death. Judy Persichilli is New Jersey's Health Commissioner and says the victim had underlying health problems. "A 69-year-old man with a history of diabetes, hypertension, atrial fibrilation, GI bleeding and emphysema. There's no history of travel outside of the United States," Persichilli says. The man suffered a cardiac arrest, was revived, but then suffered a second cardiac arrest that killed him. New Jersey's current number of coronavirus cases stands at 15.
Bethlehem police are asking for your help in finding a 13-year-old girl who went missing Sunday. Police believe Kylee Ridgeway may be with a man but aren't saying who that man is. The teen was last seen at a local youth placement facility.
Lehigh Valley Zoo says its 24-year-old Palomino horse died earlier this week. Staff members discovered Sparkles had died either Sunday night or Monday morning. Sparkles was considered a geriatric horse, alongside a 26-year-old companion. The zoo says she will be greatly missed by both staff and guests alike.
The Girl Scouts in Salisbury Township may soon have a new building. The township's zoning board has given preliminary approval to an expansion for the group's mountaintop campground. The decision includes conditions like not being able to rent the property to anyone but the Girl Scouts and staggered start times for the camp. They hope to build a two-story, 7000-foot structure on the West Rock Road land.
Former VP Joe Biden is taking a victory lap after a big night in Tuesday's round of primaries. "This campaign is taking off and I believe we're going to do well from this point on. But take nothing for granted. I want to earn every single vote in every single state," Biden said. Biden won in Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi and Idaho. Results are not yet in North Dakota and Washington. Biden held a post-election rally in Philadelphia after his planned event in Ohio was cancelled due to concerns about coronavirus.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, fresh of his primary victories Tuesday, has scheduled a fundraising visit to Montclair, New Jersey next week. Biden this week has picked up an endorsement from Sen. Cory Booker, who had also sought the Democrat nomination for president.