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TIMELINE: Statewide COVID-19 cases now over 61,000

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.


Shoppers still frustrated by lack of stores open so far

UPDATE 11 p.m.: Shoppers have waited two months to go back to their favorite stores, but so far into the yellow phase the selection of open retailers hasn’t been exactly what they expected.

Masks, signs directing foot traffic and Plexiglass barriers all are new signs of the health guidelines required to keep stores safe.

The Tanger Outlets parking lot in Washington County looked like business as usual from Chopper 11, but shoppers wondered why most stores there weren’t open.

The general manager of the outlets told Channel 11 the reason is because employers are having a hard time finding workers right now. Most of the companies had to lay off all of their employees when they shut down in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, they have to rehire them, which is taking time.

Tanger Outlets expect to have more stores open in the next few weeks.

Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank passes 1 million pounds of food distributed during COVID-19 response

UPDATE 5 p.m.: During Saturday’s drive-up distribution at the South Hills Village Mall in Bethel Park, the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank passed one million pounds of food given away since March 15 -- when the organization began responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a release, the food bank distributed about 2,900 boxes of food (72,000 pounds) to 963 vehicles on Saturday, and more than 20,000 vehicles have been served during the 21 drive-up events so far.

The food bank has multiple distributions planned for next week:

  • May 19, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. -- Big Butler Fairgrounds; 1127 New Castle Road
  • May 20, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. -- Pittsburgh International Airport
  • May 22, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. -- PPG Paints Arena

City to start enforcing parking restrictions starting Monday

UPDATE 12:10 p.m.: Staring on Monday, police will start enforcing all of the parking restrictions around Pittsburgh. That includes towing cars that block fire hydrants, wheelchair access, intersections or entire lanes.


Statewide total now at 61,611 cases

UPDATE 11:51 a.m.: There are now 61,611 positive cases of coronavirus in Pennsylvania, according to the Department of Health.

That is an increase of 989 cases. 266,225 patients have tested negative so far.

Numbers in local counties:

  • Allegheny Co: 1,595 positive cases, 143 deaths, 22,096 negative tests
  • Armstrong Co.: 58 positive cases, 5 deaths, 958 negative tests
  • Beaver Co.: 518 positive cases, 83 deaths, 2,705 negative tests
  • Butler Co.: 202 positive cases, 6 deaths, 2,984 negative tests
  • Clarion Co.: 24 positive cases, 1 death, 574 negative tests
  • Fayette Co.: 88 positive cases, 4 deaths, 2,402 negative tests
  • Forest Co.: 7 positive cases, 0 deaths, 46 negative tests
  • Greene Co.: 27 positive cases, 1 death, 575 negative tests
  • Indiana Co.: 84 positive cases, 6 deaths, 983 negative tests
  • Lawrence Co.: 72 positive cases, 7 deaths, 972 negative tests
  • Mercer Co.: 91 positive cases, 2 deaths, 1.068 negative tests
  • Venango Co.: 7 positive cases, 0 deaths, 349 negative tests
  • Washington Co.: 130 positive cases, 4 deaths, 3,039 negative tests
  • Westmoreland Co.: 423 positive cases, 32 deaths, 6,844 negative tests

There are 3,326 cases across our local region.


Saturday update from Allegheny County Department of Health

UPDATE 11:00 a.m.: Officials with the Allegheny County Health Department report 1,595 cases of COVID-19 on Saturday. That is an increase of 13 cases since Friday’s update.

That number includes 1,511 confirmed and 84 probable cases. 143 people have also died from the virus in Allegheny County since March.


State delivers second shipment of remdesivir to hospitals

UPDATE 9:55 a.m.: The Department of Health distributed the second shipment of an antiviral drug under investigation for helping treat patients with coronavirus. 1,548 doses of remdesivir were delivered to 21 hospitals, including several local facilities.

Another shipment of 6,390 doses will be sent to 58 hospitals on Monday.

Remdesivir is given to a patient through an IV once per day for up to 10 days, depending on how critically ill the patient is. According to the FDA, remdesivir may help decrease the amount of coronavirus in your body, which may help you get better faster.

Today we distributed the second shipment of the investigational antiviral medication, remdesivir, to treat patients in...

Posted by Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday, May 15, 2020

Local libraries preparing to reopen

UPDATE 9:49 a.m.: Libraries in Allegheny County are working to reopen. While still in the yellow phase, a library group is working to start book returns and some curbside delivery of materials. The Allegheny County Library Association said it is working to get PPE for staff members at over 70 locations.


Drive up, walk up food distribution events

UPDATE 7:55 a.m.: A drive up and walk up food distribution event is being held at the Ethnan Temple Seventh-Day Adventist church on Wood Street in Wilkinsburg.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until supplies last.

Another event is being held at the South Hills Village in Bethel Park. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and people will have the opportunity to drive up to receive prepacked boxes of food.


Coronavirus in Pennsylvania: Saturday morning

UPDATE 6:51 a.m.: The majority of southwestern Pennsylvania moved into the yellow phase officially Friday. Gov. Tom Wolf made the formal announcement that Beaver County will be transitioning to the yellow phase next Friday, May 22.

>>>RELATED: What’s being done to manage crowds, keep communities safe in yellow phase?

People around the area were taking advantage of the relaxed restrictions and beautiful weather to get out of the house. Shops in the Strip District were packed. Right across the river in downtown was a different story. It seemed most people were not yet heading back to the office.

Pittsburgh and Allegheny County officials announced Friday that all spray parks and pools would remain closed through the summer season due to coronavirus concerns. That includes the Boyce Park Wave Pool, Deer Lakes Spray Park, North Park Swimming Pool, Round Hill Spray Park, Settlers Cabin Park Wave Pool and the South Park Wave Pool. Also, the July 4 fireworks were canceled along with the Great Race.

>>>RELATED: Allegheny County consolidates polling places for June 2 primary

As of Friday, there were 60,622 positive cases of coronavirus across the state. 259,210 tests had come back negative. Locally, there were 3,300 cases in southwestern Pennsylvania and 342 deaths.