TIMELINE: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates for April 26

PITTSBURGH — Channel 11 News is committed to keeping you informed about the coronavirus, the impact on our community and your lives. Below you’ll find all of today’s updates, including the latest numbers and information from local and state officials.

We’re also covering positive stories in our communities. You can find the most recent ones HERE.

Have questions about the spread of the coronavirus? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak. CLICK HERE for more.

• TIMELINE: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates April 25
• PA CORONAVIRUS MAP: See the number of cases in each county, zip code
• LIVE UPDATES: Latest national, world coronavirus news
• Here are positive things happening within our community

Staff Volunteer who helped pass out laptops at Pittsburgh Milliones tested for COVID-19

UPDATE 3:22 p.m.: A staff volunteer who helped pass out 12-grade laptops and instructional packets at Pittsburgh Milliones on April 16, 20 and 21 is sick and has been tested for COVID-19, according to the district.

Staff and families received the following phone message from the district:

Good afternoon PPS Families and Staff,

This is the Pittsburgh Public Schools with an important Alert regarding COVID-19.

The District was notified that a staff volunteer supporting the distribution of 12th-grade laptops and instructional packets at Pittsburgh Milliones on Thursday, April 16, Monday, April 20, and Tuesday, April 21, is sick and has been tested for COVID-19.

Out of an abundance of caution, we are communicating this information to all district staff and families. As a reminder, the symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you or a member of your family experience any of the symptoms above, we encourage to please follow-up with your primary care physician.

As a school district, we are taking all of the necessary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during food, laptop, and instructional material distribution by requiring all staff and volunteers to practice social distancing, wear masks and gloves. We strongly encourage any child or adult visiting a site to pick up food, laptops, or instructional materials to wear protective gear.

Per Governor Wolf, it is essential that we all wear protective gear when we are out in the public so we can slow the community spread of COVID-19.

Staff volunteer who helped pass out laptops at Pittsburgh school tested for COVID-19, district says Staff volunteer who helped pass out laptops at Pittsburgh school tested for COVID-19, district says

New cases reported by PA Department of Health

UPDATE 12:00 p.m.: The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported an additional 1,116 positive cases of coronavirus across the state.

These new cases bring the total to 41,165 cases statewide since the outbreak began. There have been 1,550 deaths and 157,428 people have tested negative so far.

Gov. Wolf administration announces second round of state funding for Pa. businesses

UPDATE 11:40 a.m.: The Gov. Tom Wolf administration announced a second round of funding for Pennsylvania businesses.

The administration says 160 companies in 43 counties will get more than $13 million.

The funds are going to restaurants, wellness centers, wineries and breweries.

“These loans will help businesses in the commonwealth quickly access capital to address their critical needs while we continue to follow the governor and health secretary’s orders,” said Sec. Davin. “Small businesses are the fabric of our commonwealth, and the Wolf Administration is committed to supporting them to the fullest extent during this unprecedented time.”

Click here for a list of the businesses.

Gov. Wolf administration announces 2nd round of funding for Pa. businesses Gov. Wolf administration announces 2nd round of funding for Pa. businesses

Allegheny Co. reports 13 additional positive cases

UPDATE 11:00 a.m.: There are 13 more positive cases of coronavirus in Allegheny County, according to the health department.

In total, there are 1,211 positive cases. That includes 1,177 confirmed cases and 34 probable cases. There have been 73 deaths. So far, county officials report 15,141 tests have been administered.

Steps being taken to reopen PA

UPDATE 8:15 a.m.: Right now across the state, the stay at home order is still in place with all non life sustaining businesses and schools closed. But when will things start to open up?

At a news conference Saturday, Dr. Rachel Levine, the Secretary of Health, explained some steps being taken. In areas, there must be less than 50 new confirmed cases per 100,000 people in 2 weeks. There has to be enough testing. Case investigation and contact tracing has to be in place. Safeguards need to be in place for personal care homes, nursing facilities and prisons.

The state is also relying on a modeling dashboard being developed by Carnegie Mellon University.

Pa. health officials discuss COVID-19 reopening procedures Pa. health officials discuss COVID-19 reopening procedures

Essential items distributed in Homewood through neighborhood groups Essential items distributed in HomewoodEssential items distributed in Homewood through neighborhood groups

© 2020 Cox Media Group