There are now ten presumptive positive cases of coronavirus in Pennsylvania. Dr. Rachel Levine is Pennsylvania's Secretary of Health. "At this time, we are not recommending cancelling social gatherings. So please, if you are sick do not go to a social event with lots of other people. Please stay home," Levine says. Seven of the ten suspected coronavirus cases are in Montgomery County, while there's one each in Wayne, Delaware and Monroe counties. Levine expects more cases to be confirmed over time.
Health officials are saying that a doctor who works at the King of Prussia Specialty Center is among the ten confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The doctor was exposed while traveling out of the country.
Health officials in Philadelphia say there are five people who are currently undergoing testing for the coronavirus. Currently, there are no confirmed cases in Philadelphia and the health department stresses the average person remains at low-risk for contracting the virus.
Five more people have tested positive for coronavirus in New Jersey, pushing that state's number of cases to 11. New Jersey Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli says the state is utilizing several strategies, including so-called social distancing. "Things like workplace accomodations. Telecommuting. School closings or dismissals. Day care center closures. Screening visitors at long-term care facilities or depending on the inhabitants of the long-term care facility and their vulnerable position, actually restricting visitors," Persichilli says. In addition to the 11 cases, New Jersey officials say there are another 24 pending test cases at the state lab. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency as cases of coronavirus increase.
Wall Street has taken a pounding over the past couple of weeks and even briefly shut down Monday morning to stop the bleeding. The dreadful numbers are being blamed primarily on coronavirus concerns. Host of WAEB's "More Than Money" Gene Dickison says the markets' nosedive is a bit over the top. "It simply is, in my opinion, from an economic standpoint being over-hyped," Dickison says. Dickison believe the markets will turn around, but says it's really anybody's guess as to when.
Organizers of the Central Eastern Regional Science Olympiad are announcing that the event set for tomorrow at Kutztown University has been canceled because of coronavirus concerns. Approximately 400 students from 22 high schools across the state were expected to converge on KU's campus for the day-long science competition.
State lawmakers are considering a bill that would expand paid sick leave across the commonwealth. House Bill 169 would require all Pennsylvania workers to have the ability to earn paid sick leave. Supporters say workers shouldn't have to choose between their health and their job when they or their family members are ill. The bill is in the House Labor and Industry Committee.
Some money is being provided for blood cancer patients in the Lehigh Valley. The Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society says the state has ahnded out a grant for $400,000. the funds will be used to support patients and for medical research. The society reports there are more than 13,000 people in the area who live with or are in remission from blood cancers.
Fire officials in Lehigh County say brush fire season has started early. Warmer weather has brought the season at least a half-a-month in advance. Firefighters have dealt with several fires in Lower Saucon Township and Moore Township just within the last few days. While crews are stepping up training, they also city residents need to really monitor conditions and be vigilant.
A new enforcement tool to monitor drivers' speed statewide has gone into effect. Work zone speed enforcement cameras are live all over Pennsylvania as part of the five-year program that began Monday. Lawmakers hope the program will protect roadway workers during construction season. As part of the initiative, 17 camera-equipped vehicles will be in various work zones on interstates and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The cameras will specifically target drivers going 11 miles or more over the issued speed limit.