Pennsylvania

TIMELINE: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates April 5

PITTSBURGH — Pennsylvania has more than 10,000 cases of the novel coronavirus and 102 people have died. Keep checking back for the latest COVID-19 updates throughout the day.

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

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 to help protect people from each other.

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


UPDATE 8:52 p.m.: The West Mifflin Police Department is warning people about taking quizzes on social media that ask questions about your personal information.

See their post below:


UPDATE 2:00 p.m.: Roughly 10 members of the 911th Airlift Wing based at Pittsburgh International Airport were mobilized to deploy to New York City to help with coronavirus relief efforts.

As of 2:00 p.m. Sunday, there were over 90,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across New York State. New York City, however, has become the epicenter of the coronavirus in the U.S.

MORE DETAILS: 911th Airlift Wing members deploy to New York City for coronavirus help


UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Another West Virginia border county is banning the sale of liquor to out of state customers.

Hancock County officials said the county health department issued an order banning the sale of alcohol to anyone who does not have a West Virginia state issued ID. Officials said the aim is to better enforce social distancing efforts due to the coronavirus.

Hancock County is just west of the Pennsylvania state line.

The order will take effect on April 6 at 12:00 p.m. and remain in effect until further notice.

This follows a similar move made by Monongalia County days ago.


UPDATE 12:00 p.m.: The Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued the latest coronavirus infection numbers.

There are now 11,510 positive cases in the state.

Cases by county in our area:

  • Allegheny Co: 605 cases, 4 deaths
  • Butler Co.: 87 cases, 2 deaths
  • Beaver Co.: 84 cases, 6 deaths
  • Lawrence Co.: 23 cases, 2 deaths
  • Mercer Co.: 18 cases
  • Washington Co.: 50 cases
  • Greene Co.: 12 cases
  • Fayette Co.: 27 cases, 1 death
  • Westmoreland Co.: 147 cases
  • Armstrong Co.: 12 cases
  • Indiana Co.: 13 cases
  • Clarion Co.: 5 cases
  • Venango Co.: 3 cases
  • Forest Co.: 3 cases

UPDATE 11:00 a.m.: The Allegheny County Health Department has released the latest numbers related to coronavirus.

There are now:

  • 605 confirmed cases
  • 87 hospitalizations
  • 4 deaths

The fourth death was a person in their 80s who had been hospitalized.

Here is a breakdown of the Allegheny County numbers by age:

  • 0-4: 3 cases
  • 5-12: 4 cases
  • 13-18: 9 cases
  • 19-24: 56 cases
  • 25-49: 263 cases (43%)
  • 50-64: 164 cases
  • 65+: 106 cases

UPDATE 10:34 a.m.: Pennsylvania Secretary of Public Health Dr. Levine signed an order outlining building safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic.

The order is for owners of buildings of at least 50,000 square feet used for commercial, industrial or other purposes. This includes warehouses, factories, commercial offices, airports, grocery stores, universities, colleges, government, hotels and residential buildings with at least 50 units.

In addition to maintaining pre-existing cleaning protocols, the order outlines these new protocols:

  • Clean and disinfect high-touch areas routinely in accordance with CDC guidelines, in spaces that are accessible to customers, tenants, or other individuals.
  • Maintain pre-existing cleaning protocols established in the facility for all other areas of the building.
  • Ensure that the facility has a sufficient number of employees to perform the above protocols effectively and in a manner that ensures the safety of occupants and employees.
  • Ensure that the facility has a sufficient number of security employees to control access, maintain order, and enforce social distancing of at least 6 feet, provided the security employees are otherwise responsible for such enforcement.

The order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m., April 6.


UPDATE 7:30 a.m.: West Mifflin Police are asking people to properly dispose of used gloves. In a message posted to social media, the department said the equipment is important, but just leaving them on the ground could expose others.


UPDATE 7:00 a.m.: State police are investigating two cases in which workers were intentionally coughed on in Westmoreland County.

The first incident happened Friday morning at a drive-through along Lincoln Highway in Hempfield Township. Police said the customer was angry because her drink was served in a to-go cup holder. The woman coughed on the worker and said “I hope you get COVID-19 and die," according to police.

The next situation took place about an hour later at a doctor’s office along Route 981 in Unity Township. Police said a man stuck his tongue out and repeatedly coughed on three different workers. He faces several criminal charges.


UPDATE 6:30 a.m.: A new resource is available for people struggling with anxiety and other challenges due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Department of Human Resources said CCR, a call center in Butler County, will help individuals, families, police, emergency medical teams and all human service providers on the local level to provide care for customers.

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