Latest on coronavirus: Gov. Wolf explains measures taken in Pa.; state cases rise to 41

Over the course of just a few hours Friday, cases of the novel coronavirus in Pennsylvania jumped from 33 to 41 — including the first patient to test presumptive positive from Western Pennsylvania.

The Washington County case was announced during a 5 p.m. update by the state Department of Health. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said the patient is an adult but would not disclose where the person works or lives.

Cumberland County in southcentral Pennsylvania also had its first three cases confirmed by the state.

Six Pennsylvania cases have been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thirty-five are presumptive positive, which describes anyone who has tested positive at a state or local lab but is pending confirmation from the CDC.

Levine released the updated figures shortly after Gov. Tom Wolf announced that all schools statewide will close for two weeks.

“Pennsylvania is taking, on the whole, a very different approach than most other states and countries,” Wolf said. “We’re trying to look at the coronavirus outbreak in a measured way, thus where we see evidence of exposure to covid-19, the Commonwealth has taken very decisive action.”

There were no positive cases reported in Allegheny or Westmoreland counties as of Friday night.

More than 315 residents have been identified for testing. So far, 145 have tested negative and about 130 tests are either being processed or on their way to be processed.

Wolf also announced that the same expanded measures he ordered in Montgomery County earlier this week would go into effect in Delaware County starting Monday. He said he will leave counties and business owners to self-enforcement.

“I’m not sending the state police or National Guard out do to this,” he said.

The governor reiterated the state’s measured approach: “We’re not acting for the sake of simply acting,” he said.

“We have initiated these actions in places we have confirmed evidence of risk,” Wolf said. “We will continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds to determine if and when we’re going to do this in other counties across Pennsylvania.”

Forty of the 41 cases have what Levine called known risk factors — namely, travel or a known association with someone else who tested positive. One case is being investigated as to whether it could have come from community spread, but Levine would not go so far as to say there has been community spread of the virus.

Levine said earlier Friday that the department would not release more precise information about where those who have tested positive are located. Anyone who has tested positive, she said, are either in the hospital or they are isolated at home under monitoring by the state or a county health department.

“They’re not going to be walking around town,” she said. “They’re going to be in their house.”

“If you do not have any symptoms, you do not need to be tested at this time,” Levine said earlier Friday. “If you have very mild symptoms, like a stuffy or runny nose — that could be a cold, that could be allergies. You do not need to be tested at this time.”

Those who do have symptoms — a fever of more than 100 degrees, shortness of breath and a cough — should call their doctor to discuss whether they should be tested. Levine stressed that any doctor can write a prescription for the test to be done at a commercial lab, like LabCorp or Quest.

Levine said the number of test kits for the virus is not an issue right now.

“We’re not limited right now,” she said. “There are no backlogs of testing.”

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The highest number of cases — 18 — is in Montgomery County, a suburb of Philadelphia. Delaware County has six cases, while Bucks, Monroe, Cumberland and Philadelphia counties have three each. Northampton, Pike, Chester, Washington and Wayne counties each have one.

In the United States, at least 41 people have died from covid-19, the disease caused by the new virus, and 1,629 positive cases have been identified, as of 4 p.m. Friday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A high percentage of people recover from coronavirus. Worldwide, there have been nearly 5,088 deaths and more than 137,000 confirmed infections, according to Johns Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Resource Center.

More senior living facilities ban visitors

None of Pennsylvania’s covid-19 cases reported so far have been linked to nursing homes — and health officials are hoping to keep it that way.

Allegheny County is banning visitors from its Kane Community Living Centers in Glen Hazel, McKeesport, Ross and Scott.

Exceptions will include end-of-life care “or when a resident’s health becomes severely critical and visitation from immediate family members, friends and religious leaders becomes necessary,” county officials said Friday afternoon. Those allowed to visit will be screened and may only visit one particular resident. Such visits may have to take place in private areas away from a resident’s room.

All trips outside the centers have been canceled except for health appointments that can’t be postponed.

The visitor ban is in line with guidance issued Thursday by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and steps being taken by senior living communities and nursing homes around the region.

The Oakmont-based Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, which has facilities in 10 counties, announced its no-visitor ban would begin Friday at its nursing and rehabilitation centers as well as assisted living communities. Visitors to independent living communities will be screened.

PWSA won’t shut off water

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority is extending a winter moratorium on water shut-offs by two months to ensure customers have water during the coronavirus pandemic.

PWSA announced it was waiving the winter moratorium’s income eligibility requirement and would not shut off water to any customer through May 31.

Duquesne Light discontinues shut-offs

Duquesne Light announced it is discontinuing all shut-offs through May. 1.

“We understand it’s a trying time for customers and are doing everything in our power to ease the burden of this public health crisis,” said David Johnson, Duquesne Light’s chief customer officer. “By canceling all shut-off activities, our customers can rest assured power will continue to flow to their homes.”

Rivers casino to close

The Rivers casino on Pittsburgh’s North Side will close for the next two weeks.

The casino announced at about 9 p.m. Friday that it would close as of midnight Sunday, for 14 days. The process will begin Sunday night and continue into Monday morning.

“Although there have been no known cases of covid-19 at the property, we are suspending operations out of an abundance of caution and to promote the social distancing recommended by health officials,” Rivers Casino said in a statement.

While the casino will be closed, the company said it will continue normal payroll for employees during the temporary closure.

The Meadows Casino cancels events

At the Meadows Casino in North Strabane, Washington County, all concerts and live events have been postponed or cancelled.

Meadows Casino owner Penn National Gaming, which owns 19 facilities, said it has closed or is in the process of closing buffets at all of its properties.

Home & Garden Show ends early

The Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show has been canceled as a result of coronavirus concerns.

Officials said the event, which started March 6 and was scheduled to run through Sunday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, was halted in response to guidelines issued by the Allegheny County Health Department.

Carnegie Museums, National Aviary close

All Carnegie Museums and the National Aviary have closed.

The museums will remain closed for 14 days and will evaluate as new information becomes available.

The aviary will be closed through at least March 31. Staff members will continue to care for the birds and mammals while the aviary is closed. For updates, go to aviary.org.

Carnegie Library’s 19 branches shut down, waive late fees

All 19 locations of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will close to the public from Sunday through at least April, the system’s officials said shortly before 6:30 p.m. Friday.

The branches will remain open Saturday with limited services. Computer access will be suspended.

Due dates and late fees will be suspended on items already borrowed, and library cardholders can continue to remotely access digital materials such as eBooks, audiobooks, video streams and music.

“It is with a heavy heart that we need to take the extraordinary step of closing to the public,” Mary Frances Cooper, president and director of the library system, said in a statement. “In the interest of our public’s health, we cannot in good faith maintain the cleaning routine and enforce the social distancing necessary to combat the spread of this virus.”

Cultural Trust cancellations

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has become the latest arts entity in the city to reverse course and cancel events scheduled for this weekend and beyond because of the covid-19 situation.

All events are canceled or postponed at least through April 6.

Guest services workers will be contacting ticket holders regarding their options.

Children’s Museum closes

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and MuseumLab in Pittsburgh’s North Side closed as of Friday afternoon.

“Our focus is now shifting to how we can provide online and in-home experiences that inspire joy, creativity, and curiosity to children and their families during this challenging time,” said Jane Werner, the museum’s executive director, in a statement.

The decision came after Wolf’s recommendation earlier this week to limit large group activity, as well as discussions with public health experts, government organizations, peer institutions and our staff and leadership team, a news release said.

Carnegie Science Center shifting events

The Carnegie Science Center announced the cancellation or postponement of upcoming events.

The affected events are:

• March 20: Science After Hours: Saved by the Bell — canceled

• March 20 Late-Night Laser Shows — canceled

• March 21: Sleepover — canceled

• March 25: Covestro Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair — canceled

• March 28: Tour Your Future — canceled

• March 29: Duquesne Light Community Day — postponed

• April 4: SkyWatch — canceled

The science center says those who registered for Science After Hours, the sleepover or SkyWatch can call 412-237-3400 to learn about future options.

Project Prom 2020 canceled

Due to the potential spread of the coronavirus, this year’s Project Prom Gown Giveaway Days have been canceled.

Gowns were to have been given away to eligible high school students between March 21-28. Organizers are expressing disappointment but say the decision is in the best interest of public health.

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services and its partner, the National Council of Jewish Women, organize the annual giveaway. In addition to having over 2,000 dresses to hand out, organizers received an additional 150 dresses leftover from the Pittsburgh-filmed Netflix movie “Sweet Girl.”

Project Prom will resume next year, according to a statement.

Pittsburgh parks facilities, restrooms to close

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy announced all park facilities and restrooms will close through March 30. That includes all programming and special events.

Schenley Plaza eating establishments in Oakland will remain open, with visitors encouraged to use takeout food services, according to a news release.

Closures include the Frick Environmental Center at 2005 Beechwood Blvd., Parks Conservancy South Side offices at 45 S. 23rd St., Schenley Plaza maintenance building at 4100 Forbes Ave., and the horticultural and forestry facility at 1 English Lane.

Pittsburgh’s city parks will remain open to the public.

SAT testing canceled

SAT testing that was scheduled for Saturday at Fox Chapel Area, Plum and Hampton high schools has been canceled, in line with similar cancellations around the state and nation.

College Board will provide refunds or move testing to a different time and location at Fox Chapel. Hampton officials said they will announce when the exam is rescheduled.

Forest programs impacted

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that effective Friday, all public programs, events and training events in state parks and forests will be canceled for the remainder of March and April.

With the exception of three state parks in Montgomery County, DCNR facilities throughout the state will remain open, pending changes in covid-19 spread.

This cancellation of events applies to all public educational programs, special events such as races and festivals, and teacher and other trainings. This includes programming by Friends groups and the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.

Overnight accommodations such as tent camping, cabins, and camping cottages will remain open.

Cranberry cancels meetings, events

Cranberry announced it is canceling or postponing all non-essential programming, meetings and events as of 4 p.m. Friday.

This includes all Parks and Recreation Department offerings, excluding preschool and Kids Club programs. Those programs will continue in coordination with the Seneca Valley School District and will be canceled if the district closes.

Staff writers Natasha Lindstrom, JoAnne Harrop and Paul Guggenheimer contributed.