Pennsylvania's Department of Health has added a total of 9797 cases of coronavirus to the commonwealth's total. The two-day number brings Pennsylvania to 361,464 since the pandemic began. Currently, there are 4405 people hospitalized in Pennsylvania with COVID-19.
Pennsylvania's COVID-19 Alert app is now available to children as young as 13. State Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine explains why the minimum age was lowered from 18. "By expanding the age range, middle and high school students will be able to add their phones to the fight and help in contact tracing in their schools if a positive case is identified," Levine says. There have been nearly 28,000 coronavirus cases in children reported to date, 8000 of which occurred in the past two weeks.
There are reports another Republican state senator has tested positive for COVID-19. Sen. Judy Ward of Blair County announced on Facebook Monday that she had a positive test.
New Jersey health officials are discouraging typical Christmas traditions as coronavirus continues pummeling the state. Officials suggest no parades while also keeping local tree and menorah lightings socially distant. This comes as health officials reported 3199 additional infections Monday and 15 new deaths. While the rate of transmission has fallen for the 12th straight day, hospitalizations have increased to the highest they've been in six months.
New Jersey is facing advanced coronavirus restrictions as infections continue to surge across the state. Beginning Saturday, indoor sports will be put on pause, but the ban only applies to adult and youth sports, not professional or college teams. Gov. Phil Murphy says data shows several outbreaks are linked to indoor sports and he's hoping the break will mitigate the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, outdoor gatherings will be restricted to 25 people, which starts next Monday, December 7th. Outdoor dining is not affected by the new rules.
A former Lehigh University student has pleaded guilty to poisoning his roommate in 2018. 24-year-old Yukai Yang, from China, poisoned his roommate after their friendship turned sour two years ago. Yang's roommate, Juwan Royal, testified that out of nowhere he fainted, began vomiting frequently, lost 20 pounds, suffered headaches and heart palpitations and lost the feeling in his toes. Doctors say that was caused by poisoning from thallium. Yang could get up to 40 years in prison when he's sentenced next month.
A man is under arrest for last Friday morning's shooting outside a Whitehall Township restaurant that left two people injured. Police say Waldemar Cora fought with about a dozen people outside Latest Food Trends on MacArthur Road and pulled out a gun and fired into a vehicle near a crowd of people. One person was shot and the other injured. Both are in stable condition. Police say the investigation isn't over.
A local attorney is heading to prison for his involvement in a big Ponzi scheme. Federal prosecutors say 60-year-old Todd Lahr of Nazareth admitted to being involved in a $2.7 million investment ponzi scheme that scammed his own clients to invest in fake business opportunities. Lahr, who had a law practice in South Whitehall Township, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Smoking in bed is being blamed for a Monday morning fire in Forks Township that injured two people. The fire was reported early Monday morning in the 100 block of Ramblewood Drive. One person was sent to the hospital for smoke inhalation. A second person suffered minor burns.
State police are investigating a serious crash in Monroe County. It happened around 11 o'clock Monday night on Route 209, near Burger Hollow Road, in Polk Township. The coroner's office was reportedly called to the scene and Route 209 was shut down in both directions while police investigated.
Gov. Tom Wolf has vetoed a bill sponsored by a Fayette County lawmaker that would have repealed a law controlling the carrying of guns during an emergency. The measure from Republican St. Rep. Matthew Dowling would have repealed a state law banning residents from carrying a gun on public streets or public property during an emergency. The governor says the legislation would have limited emergency powers related to guns during a crisis.
Gov. Tom Wolf's administration is giving $3 million to fund protection against homelessness for Pennsylvanians this winter. The governor's administration announced the decision Monday. The funding will be sent to about 20 counties in the state to provide emergency shelters and other assistance for the winter months. It will also be used on resources for homeless providers to limit the spread of COVID-19.
New Jersey is still figuring out details when it comes to legalizing marijuana. Lawmakers have been working on a package of bills surrounding a legal weed industry, but haven't come to any solid agreements. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats held a virtual meeting Monday to talk about social justice issues related to cannabis legalization. Many Democrats say decriminalizing the drug is a priority as Attorney General Gurbir Grewal temporarily halted trials related to low-level marijuana offenses.
A difficult season got worse last night for the Eagles. Seattle beat the Eagles 23-17 on Monday Night Football. Despite slipping to 3-7-1, quarterback Carson Wentz says they're not out of it. "This division is still wide open and guys know that. We're looking ahead to next week and getting this thing turned around and getting it going in the right direction and hopefully surprise some people," Wentz says. Both Washington and the Giants are at 4-7, a half-game ahead of the Eagles.