Butler County reports 1st death from covid-19

A patient at Butler Memorial Hospital has died of covid-19, marking the first death in Butler County attributed to the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, officials said Wednesday.

No details were immediately available about the person who died, such as their age, residence or any underlying health conditions.

The Butler Health System also announced it is evaluating postponing most elective and non-urgent outpatient procedures, limiting hospital hours to inpatient visitors and prohibiting visitors in the emergency room.

Butler Memorial and Clarion hospitals are conducting testing for covid-19 via physician orders only.

The system’s employees continue “to work around the clock to bring covid-19 testing into its laboratory as soon as it becomes available,” states an update to the system’s website.

As of Monday, Butler County reported at least five positive cases of covid-19. By Wednesday, its total jumped to 12.

Butler Health System officials urged anyone who is feeling ill not to go a doctor’s office, urgent care or emergency department before calling their primary care doctor or BHS Care Center at 833-602-CARE.

Coronavirus cases statewide have crested 1,000 and led to at least 11 deaths, state health officials said.

At least two people have died in Allegheny County, which has 88 positive cases. Thirteen covid-19 patients required hospitalization.

Westmoreland County cases increased to 16, with at least seven cases reported in Beaver County.

Forty-four of the state’s 67 counties have at least one case of covid-19.