A Tarentum nurse has canceled a series of talks on diabetes because of the recent increase in covid-19 cases.

The talks with Denise Kissell, a registered nurse and certified diabetes care and education specialist, were scheduled to begin today in Riverview Memorial Park in Tarentum and be held each Tuesday in July.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must cancel the Diabetes in the Park series,” Kissell said. “There has been a surge in cases of covid and I cannot as a health care professional allow people with diabetes that are already compromised to have any additional exposure.”

On Tuesday, Allegheny County health officials reported 204 new cases of coronavirus, along with seven new hospitalizations and six deaths.

This would have been the third straight year for the diabetes program, which Kissell first held in 2018.

Kissell said those still interested in the talks can leave their name and number with PriorityCare at Allegheny Valley Hospital by calling 724-226-7339.

“My sincere apologies,” she said. “I must look to their overall health and not just one piece of education.”

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