The Pennsylvania Department of Health added 2332 new cases of coronavirus to the state's total, which is now 1,256,324 since the pandemic began. 25 new COVID-related deaths were also reported Wednesday, leaving the state's overall count at 28,018. Right now, 1275 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, 332 of whom are in the intensive care unit.
New Jersey continues reporting more than 1000 additional coronavirus cases each day. Gov. Phil Murphy shared the latest figures on Twitter yesterday, reporting 1258 new infections. Ten new deaths were also confirmed. 5.44 million New Jerseyans are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Health care systems across the region are preparing to administer booster shots for COVID-19. The federal government has announced it will recommend booster shots beginning next month for people who have been fully vaccinated. The government's recommendation applies to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, but it has not yet decided if boosters will be needed for anyone who received the Johnson and Johnson single-shot doses.
Two unions that represent Pennsylvania's teachers are calling on the state's schools to adopt mask mandates for students, faculty and staff. The Pennsylvania State Education Association and the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Federation of Teachers say masking is important to make sure students can attend schools all year long.
State Senate President Jake Corman is warning Penn State about possible retaliation if they mandate COVID-19 vaccines for students and staff. Corman reportedly told the university that he personally wouldn't attack their state funding, but other lawmakers might. Corman says if the university does decide to mandate vaccines, then they must accommodate for those who don't want the shots.
State corrections officers are objecting to Gov. Tom Wolf's mask mandate by claiming natural immunity. The officers say almost 40-percent of prison guards have had COVID-19, which they say is the same as being vaccinated. Leaders with the Pennsylvania state corrections officers association say they oppose the governor's order for all officers to become vaccinated or be subject to regular testing.
A well-known name in Northampton County's justice system has died. District Judge Patricia Broscius has died after a lengthy fight against cancer. Before being elected district judge in 2015, Broscius had been a prosecutor under Northampton County DA John Morganelli. Broscius won the Republican primary back in May and it's not clear how her death will be handled leading up to November's general election. Patricia Broscius was 66 years old.
The National Weather Service says there was likely a tornado in the Perkasie area around 12:30 this morning. The NWS is expected to have crews surveying the damage on Thursday. No injuries are reported.
The Giant in Trexlertown is getting a facelift. Giant says its store on Hamilton Boulevard will be getting a modernized look both inside and out. Among the changes is a rebooted Starbucks, increased prepared food offerings and a designated plant-based product area. The remodel is expected to be completed early in 2022.
The Yardley Borough police chief is lucky to be alive after being shot during a standoff in Bucks County. District Attorney Matt Weintraub says it all happened Wednesday at the Yardley Commons Apartments when Joseph Kelley responded to a call for backup from two probation officers. It was then that 24-year-old Colin Petroziello opened fire. "He held up his hand as a defense mechanism and he got hit in the hands and hit in the ear," Weintraub says. Weintraub says Kelley will be okay. Petroziello is charged with attempted murder.
Despite heavy storms rocking Williamsport and parts of central Pennsylvania, the Little League World Series is moving forward today. County officials say should the wet weather continue today, there are drainage systems in place to protect the fields. The first match of the Little League World Series will start at 1 p.m. today, and the games will continue through August 29th.