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.
- TIMELINE: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates April 24
- PA CORONAVIRUS MAP: See the number of cases in each county, zip code
- LIVE UPDATES: Latest national, world coronavirus news
- Here are positive things happening within our community
Popular Pittsburgh music venue closes amid COVID-19 pandemic
UPDATE 4 p.m.: Howlers, a popular spot for live music in Pittsburgh, is closing its Bloomfield location amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last February, the venue announced it was moving from its Liberty Avenue location to East Liberty but that it would remain open until the end of August, according to Channel 11 News’ exchange partners at TribLIVE.
However, in a post on Howlers’ Facebook page, owner Susan Coe announced the coronavirus crisis has forced an early closure.
Coe said plans are still in place for Howlers to open in East Liberty at a future date but couldn’t say exactly when. She said a lease has been secured for the spot of Howlers’ new home, but she is not ready to disclose the specific location just yet.
City reminding people to be smart when heading to the park
UPDATE 12:30 p.m.: With a sunny Saturday on tap, city officials are reminding people to be smart if they are heading to area parks. Playgrounds are closed, fields & courts are closed and people need to stay at least 6 feet apart.
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New state coronavirus data released
UPDATE 12:10 p.m.: According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, positive cases of coronavirus have topped 40,000 in the state.
Positive cases are found in every single county in the state and the total number is now at 40,049. Over 2,000 of those cases are in health care workers. 425 long term living facilities such as nursing homes across the state are dealing with 6,544 cases. 2,746 people have been hospitalized so far during the pandemic and 662 people have required a ventilator.
To date, there have been 1,537 deaths since the outbreak began.
Across the state hospital system, 47% of hospital beds, 40% of ICU beds and nearly 70% of ventilators are still available.
Here is a breakdown of the data by local counties:
- Allegheny Co.: 1,198 positive cases, 13,961 negative tests, 73 deaths
- Armstrong Co.: 46 positive cases, 593 negative tests, 2 deaths
- Beaver Co.: 359 positive cases, 1,831 negative tests, 46 deaths
- Butler Co.: 168 positive cases, 2016 negative tests, 6 deaths
- Clarion Co.: 22 positive cases, 454 negative tests, 1 death
- Fayette Co.: 79 positive cases, 1,584 negative tests, 4 deaths
- Forest Co.: 7 positive cases, 24 negative tests, 0 deaths
- Greene Co.: 25 positive cases, 384 negative tests, 0 deaths
- Indiana Co.: 63 positive cases, 564 negative tests, 4 deaths
- Lawrence Co.: 61 positive cases, 634 negative tests, 5 deaths
- Mercer Co.: 64 positive cases, 621 negative tests, 1 death
- Venango Co.: 7 positive cases, 222 negative tests, 0 deaths
- Washington Co.: 99 positive cases, 1,817 negative tests, 2 deaths
- Westmoreland Co.: 360 positive cases, 3,969 negative tests, 27 deaths
Gov. Wolf slightly revises reopening plans
UPDATE 12:00 p.m.: Gov. Wolf slightly changed the requirements to reopen parts of the state, according to his social media. On Twitter, he posted an example using Centre County.
Saturday update from ACHD
UPDATE 11:00 a.m.: Officials with the Allegheny County Health Department report another increase in positive cases of coronavirus.
The number of positive cases is 1,198, which includes 1,167 confirmed cases and 31 probable cases.
There have been 211 hospitalizations since the first case was confirmed and 73 deaths.
Kennywood: Saturday was supposed to be first chance for summer preview
UPDATE 10:50 a.m.: Kennywood announced that Saturday was supposed to be the first chance for season passholders to visit the park and get a preview of summer.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused the park to push things back, extending season passes purchased by April 1 through the end of June 2021.
AHN to open drive-up COVID-19 testing site
UPDATE 8:30 a.m.: Allegheny Health Network said it will be opening a new coronavirus testing site in Natrona Heights.
Infections disease expert talks about lifting restrictions
UPDATE 8:15 a.m.: In two weeks, we could see parts of Pennsylvania slowly begin the reopening process.
It’s something that’s going to take time.
While infections disease expert Dr. Amesh Adalja believes there are parts of the state that are ready he also said he’s worried people will migrate toward the open areas.
“As soon as you start to relax social distancing you’re going to get more cases, the question will be will those cases be too much for the system to handle?” he said.
So, what should you do when life begins to feel a little normal again?
“It’s still important that we do social distancing and that we take smart measures to try and avoid ourselves from getting infected,” Adalja said.
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