A man wearing a face mask bicycles along Broad Street, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia.
Matt Slocum / AP Photo
First case of UK coronavirus variant found in Allegheny County
“This news reinforces the need for us all to double down on the efforts we’re taking to control the spread of the virus.”
By Staff/WESA
Matt Slocum / AP Photo
A man wearing a face mask bicycles along Broad Street, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia.
(Pittsburgh) — The first case of the U.K. variant of COVID-19 has been reported in Allegheny County. Studies suggest the U.K. variant spreads much more easily than other variants of COVID-19.
“I suspected that it’s been present in the County for a while,” said Allegheny County Health Department director Dr. Debra Bogen. “This news reinforces the need for us all to double down on the efforts we’re taking to control the spread of the virus.”
Bogen says the person does not know how they contracted the virus. The first case of the U.K. variant in Pennsylvania was detected last month.
Allegheny County began delivering COVID-19 vaccine doses to senior high rises and similar communities today. Bogen says the initiative aims to fill a gap in the vaccine rollout.
“Based on the supply of vaccine that the county receives from the state, this team will provide vaccine to seniors at county housing authority buildings throughout the county,” Bogen said.
Vaccine will be distributed this week at county housing authority buildings in West Mifflin, Turtle Creek, Homestead and Clairton. Officials say the Health Department will administer vaccines to residents at 170 senior buildings.
The Allegheny County Health Department reported 35 new deaths Wednesday, which included information from the state database. Six of the deaths were more than a week old and one of the deaths dated back to December.
Despite the high number of deaths reported today, the number of COVID-19 diagnoses and hospitalizations continue to decrease in the Pittsburgh region. With that in mind, the Allegheny Health Network on Wednesday announced changes in its hospital visitation policies for inpatient stays and outpatient visits. Among the changes: while patients may only have one visitor in the facility at a time during visitation hours, the support person can change throughout the day.
Visitors who have COVID-19, are symptomatic, have been exposed to the virus, or have COVID test results pending may not visit.
Sometimes, your mornings are just too busy to catch the news beyond a headline or two. Don’t worry. The Morning Agenda has got your back. Each weekday morning, host Tim Lambert will keep you informed, amused, enlightened and up-to-date on what’s happening in central Pennsylvania and the rest of this great commonwealth.
