TIMELINE: Employee at Washington Co. assisted living facility tests positive for COVID-19

PITTSBURGH — Pennsylvania has more than 8,400 cases of the novel coronavirus and 102 people have died. Keep checking back for the latest COVID-19 updates throughout the day.

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• TIMELINE: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates April 2
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IMPORTANT UPDATE: Gov. Tom Wolf and Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Levine are asking people to now start wearing cloth masks in public and when leaving home.

Gov. Wolf and Secretary Levine said people do not need the N95 respirator masks or surgical masks. A simple cloth mask or even a bandana across your nose and mouth can work.

"Wearing a mask will help us cut down the possibility that we might be infecting an innocent bystander, like the grocery store cashier, the pharmacist, or someone stocking shelves,” Gov. Wolf said. “These people are keeping us alive by getting us the supplies we need. We owe it to them to do everything we can to keep them safe. Right now, that means wearing a mask.”

Wolf urged residents to heed his order to remain at home, noting that masks “are not foolproof. So it's critical our first act is to ask if we really need to leave our house.”

The Department of Health posted guidance on masks on its website.

UPDATE 10:50 p.m.: The Department of Human Resources announced the launch of a statewide “Support and Referral Helpline” for people in Pennsylvania struggling with anxiety and other challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CCR, a call center provider based in Butler County, will collaborate with individuals, families, police, emergency medical teams and all human service providers on the local level to provide care for its customers.

The toll-free number is 855-284-2494 or for TTY, dial 724-631-5600.

UPDATE 10:20 p.m.: An employee at an assisted living facility in Washington County has tested positive for novel coronavirus.

Presbyterian SeniorCare Network officials confirmed the employee who tested positive has worked for four years as a personal care aide at Southminster Place.

That person hasn’t been to work since April 1 and is now self-quarantined at home, officials said.

So far, no residents or other employees at that nursing home have tested positive for COVID-19.

Below is a statement from the organization:

“We send our concern and prayers for our team member. Our staff and frontline care givers are heroes to all those we serve,” says Paul Winkler, president, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network. “During these unprecedented times, our entire staff has responded with compassion, care and commitment to meeting the needs of one of our nation’s most vulnerable populations. We have been steadfast in taking aggressive screening protocols to minimize the risk associated with COVID-19 for our team members, residents and patients, and we will continue to work tirelessly to provide the infection control measures and care needed to get through this pandemic.”

UPDATE 7:10 p.m.: The number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center continues to climb.

A union spokesperson told Channel 11 as of April 3, 42 residents and 10 members have tested positive, with more tests pending.

So far, there have been three confirmed deaths at the nursing home from coronavirus.

UPDATE 6:40 p.m.: The second Port Authority employee has tested positive for coronavirus.

PAT officials said this employee, like the first, is a bus driver who works out of the West Mifflin garage and was last at work March 21.

According to officials, the employee has been in self-quarantine since April 1.

Below is more from the release:

"Port Authority of Allegheny County was informed today that a second employee has tested positive for COVID-19.

The employee, a bus driver who works out of the West Mifflin garage, has been in medically-directed self-quarantine since April 1, and has not been to work since March 21. No other information will be provided to protect the employee’s identity.

Upon learning of the employee's diagnosis, Port Authority mobilized a maintenance crew to perform a deep cleaning of the West Mifflin garage and the last bus the operator had driven.

These efforts were in addition to the enhanced facility and vehicle cleanings that were completed when the operator first reported being off and those that are already taking place on a daily basis. The information was also confidentially reported to the Allegheny County Health Department."

UPDATE 6:15 p.m.: As people flooded to local parks Saturday due to the beautiful weather, authorities were there to remind them to practice social distancing.

But the rush to the parks, which some have compared to a busy summer day, has prompted new concerns about the spread of COVID-19.

On Friday, Mayor Bill Peduto urged people to steer clear of gathering in large groups at the park – something he said Pittsburgh "slipped" last weekend at parks across the city due to the warm weather.

Peduto said social distancing is the only way to win this war.

Channel 11 crews saw a lot of people enjoying the day at North Park. One couple said they were still able to take in the beautiful while keeping themselves and others safe.

“We used to look at this as another country's problem and it never hit home. Would I ever want to live in a situation like this? No, but I carry on," said Dennis Noble.

There was a higher presence of police and park rangers at North Park to keep people from congregating in large groups.

UPDATE 5 p.m.: Walmart is now limiting the number of customers inside its stores and created one-way traffic in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Walmart said the moves are necessary to keep shoppers and employees safe from coronavirus.

Multiple stores in our are have already begun to adopt these changes, including the location on Freeport Road in O’Hara Township. Shoppers are already starting to adjust.

“I think it’s a good idea in addition to the other measures taken to help limit contact person to person,” said shopper Mike Burns.

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dacona Smith issued the following statement:

“While many of our customers have been following the advice of the medical community regarding social distancing and safety, we have been concerned to still see some behaviors in our stores that put undue risk on our people.”

UPDATE 3:40 p.m.: The sale of alcohol in one West Virginia county is being limited significantly, officials announced Saturday.

W.Va. health officials said you now must have an official W.Va. ID to purchase liquor in Monongalia County, which lies on the Pa. state border.

After state liquor stores were shutdown in Pennsylvania, many people drove across state lines to purchase liquor. However, that will no longer be the case in at least one W.Va. county.

Surrounding counties in the state have not issued a similar ban at this point.

Below is part of the statement from state health officials:

“In order to enforce social distancing and to keep residents of other states — some of which have higher rates of COVID-19 than West Virginia — Monongalia County Health Department has issued a public health order to control the sales of liquor, including banning its sale to anyone without a West Virginia- issued driver’s license or state identification.”

County in West Virginia bans liquor sales to Pa. residents County in West Virginia bans liquor sales to Pa. residents

UPDATE 2:00 p.m.: Due to the coronavirus, some important dates have been pushed back.

The primary election is now on June 2.

Driver licenses that are expiring before April 30 will still be valid through May 30.

You also do not have to file your taxes until July 15, although it is recommended you do it sooner rather than later due to the threat of scammers.

Plus, the federal REAL ID deadline is now October 1, 2021.

UPDATE 12:05 p.m.: According to the PA Department of Health, there are now over 10,000 positive cases of coronavirus across the state.

In our region:

• Allegheny Co.: 552 cases, 3 deaths
• Butler Co.: 75 cases, 2 deaths
• Beaver Co.: 69 cases, 2 deaths
• Washington Co.: 40 cases
• Westmoreland Co.: 110 cases
• Fayette Co.: 20 cases, 1 death
• Greene Co.: 11 cases
• Armstrong Co.: 12 cases
• Indiana Co.: 7 cases
• Lawrence Co.: 19 cases, 2 deaths
• Mercer Co.: 10 cases

State health officials say 60,013 people have tested negative so far.

Of those who have tested positive across the state:

• 0-4: nearly 1%
• 5-12: nearly 1%
• 13-18: 1%
• 19-24: nearly 8%
• 25-49: 41%
• 50-64: nearly 29%
• 65+: nearly 20%

Dr. Levine, the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, said at a news conference their models do not depict any slowdown of the coronavirus. She said the state has purchased ventilators to distribute to hospitals and health facilities. She said they do not know when the peak of the virus will be, however, they are actively working to make sure the state’s hospital system can handle any sudden, dramatic rise in cases.

UPDATE 11:05 a.m.: Officials with the Allegheny County Health Department released the latest numbers related to coronavirus.

• 552 positive cases
• 86 people hospitalized
• 3 deaths

The most recent person to die from the virus was a patient in their 90s, according to health officials.

UPDATE 8:30 a.m.: Pittsburgh Police said they will be enforcing social distancing orders this weekend. With terrific weather on tap, they are expecting large crowds again at city parks.

Local agencies on patrol this weekend to enforce social distance orders Local agencies on patrol this weekend to enforce social distance orders

UPDATE 7:30 a.m.: Wearing a mask has been highly debated even among the medical community, but Friday Pennsylvania stood firm saying it’s added protection – helping prevent the spread by people who have mild or no symptoms at all.

“Universal masking is expected to be recommended by the CDC shortly, and in Pa. we want to be ahead of the nation in slowing the spread. We don’t want to be behind it,” said Dr. Rachel Levine, the Pa. Health Secretary.

So, where do you get a mask? You can't find them on store shelves, and if you buy them online, don't expect they'll be shipped any time soon.

RELATED: How to properly uses a mask and gloves

You only need two different things you probably already have at home, such as pillow cases and two hair elastics. If you're not handy, there is no sewing involved.

You take a square piece of fabric and fold it in half. Flip it and fold both sides in half again. Pinch each end with hair elastics. Fold the extra fabric inward, hold it up to your face and fasten the elastics behind your ears.

For more information on masks, click here.

Coronavirus: Channel 11 looks at different options for protective masks Coronavirus: Channel 11 looks at different options for protective masks

Local woman sewing masks for those in need during coronavirus pandemic Local woman sewing masks for those in need during coronavirus pandemic

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