TIMELINE: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates March 24

PITTSBURGH — Pennsylvania has more than 850 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. As numbers grow, Pennsylvania’s schools will be closed for at least another two weeks, and a stay-at-home order is in effect for several counties, including Allegheny. Keep checking back for the latest COVID-19 updates throughout the day.

Have questions about the spread of the coronavirus? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak. CLICK HERE for more.

• SCHOOL/BUSINESS CLOSINGS
• PA CORONAVIRUS MAP: See the number of cases in each county
• LIVE UPDATES: Latest national, world coronavirus news
• TIMELINE: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates March 23

UPDATE 11:20 p.m.: Emergency responders in our area are using extreme caution in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dressed head to toe in Tyvek suits when responding to 911 calls possibly related to the coronavirus, paramedics use eye shields, masks, gloves and shoe covers to add a layer of protection.

Ambulances specifically for calls related to the coronavirus are retrofitted – thick plastic lines all surfaces inside and life-saving equipment is kept on the outside, so it isn't contaminated.

After a patient is transported, an automizing disinfectant cleans all surfaces for about 20 minutes before the ambulance is ready to go again.

Versailles Volunteer Fire Department Chief Perry Gricar says they're only responding to life saving calls. Ambulances and fire trucks are continually being sanitized.

Allegheny County officials said first responders who transported a woman in her late-70s who died from the coronavirus were wearing personal protective equipment.

Emergency responders take extra precautions when dealing with 911 calls Emergency responders take extra precautions when dealing with 911 calls

UPDATE 9:29 p.m.: The Port Authority has announced more temporary changes to help protect riders and employees from staff members.

Effective at the start of service on Wednesday, March 25, 2020:

• Customers will board and exit through the rear doors of buses, away from our drivers. Front door boarding will be reserved for passengers who need the bus to be lowered, to use the ramp or require priority seating.
• Bus riders will simply show their ConnectCard or other fare product to the operator as they board through the rear doors; cash fares will not be collected due to the restriction. Light rail riders will continue to pay at onboard and offboard fareboxes.

UPDATE 8:30 p.m.: Downtown Pittsburgh felt like a different city tonight as usually bustling streets and parks sat empty.

UPDATE 5:50 p.m.: President Donald Trump said during a news conference that he hopes to have the country “reopened” by Easter.

“We want to get our country open as soon as possible,” he said. “But rest assured, every decision we make is grounded solely in the health and safety of our citizens.”

Watch the full news briefing below.

UPDATE 5:05 p.m.: The Governor’s stay-at-home order, which was just expanded to include Erie County, has led to an unprecedented number of closures and unemployment claims. State lawmakers on both sides of the aisle said it’s quickly becoming a major issue.

“In one week, the highest was around 60,000 applicants. On Friday alone, we had over 90,000 applicants,” Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R) New Castle said.

State lawmakers say unemployment claims skyrocketing State lawmakers say unemployment claims skyrocketing

UPDATE 5:00 p.m.: “I’m puzzled. A 70-year-old woman. Where? Does she live alone? Does she live with family?” Former Allegheny County coroner and world-renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht has questions about the second death in the county from coronavirus.

The woman was in her 70's and health officials only found out about the positive test result after she died.

Wecht’s own family is in isolation after his grandson tested positive for coronavirus.

Watch more in the video below:

Former Allegheny County coroner, world-renowned forensic pathologist questions coronavirus death Former Allegheny County coroner, world-renowned forensic pathologist questions coronavirus death

UPDATE 4:24 p.m.: Eat’n’Park and the United Way will be distributing free meals tomorrow at Duquesne Elementary School.

UPDATE 4:05 p.m.: Officials with Centerville Clinics, Inc. report a patient from Greene County has tested positive for coronavirus at the respiratory clinic at the Uniontown Family Doctors location.

UPDATE 3:58 p.m.: Officials with Allegheny County continue to adjust operations and services in the face of the coronavirus outbreak.

County Employees

Every government has the responsibility to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its residents. Particularly during times of emergency, residents rely even more on the services offered and performed by county employees. The county also has a part to play in helping to slow the spread of the disease. As a result, working with all departments, changes have been implemented for many of our operations while still continuing to provide the integral services that residents rely upon. Individuals who have business with the county are also encouraged to utilize online services and other resources to limit interaction.

As with all changes made as a result of this pandemic, these changes will continue to be reviewed and additional adjustments will be made as necessary. County administration will also continue to review its continuity of operations plans (COOP) as it relates to impact of COVID-19 on the county’s workforce.

Elections

The Elections Division is suspending all poll-worker training through Monday, April 6. In addition, all public voting system demonstrations are canceled through Monday, April 6, including those at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branches, suburban libraries and the County Office Building in downtown Pittsburgh.

The Elections Division reminds voters that voting by mail is now an option in Pennsylvania. It's an easy, convenient and secure way to cast your ballot. Apply by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, and return your ballot by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28. To learn more about voting by mail and to apply, visit www.alleghenyvotes.com or www.votespa.com.

Fire Academy

Fire Training Academy field and classroom operations are suspended until further notice. Fire Academy instructional staff are currently assisting Emergency Management operations while also working to convert many portions of fire training over to an online platform for future use. While some online options exist, instructional staff will continue to expand on them in order to offer expanded training options through distance learning.

Health Department Administrative Appeals

For administrative appeals that were required to be filed with ACHD’s Hearing Officer between March 19 and April 3, 2020, the deadline to file has been extended to April 6, 2020. ACHD strongly encourages anyone filing an appeal to do so electronically, preferably using ACHD’s Standard Notice of Appeal Form, which can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/3dri3dh

Parks

Currently, outdoor areas and restrooms in all nine county parks remain open to the public. Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, biking or running, is permitted under Governor Wolf’s Stay at Home order.

There are more than 180 miles of multiuse trails throughout the nine county parks, and residents can go to www.alleghenycounty.us/parktrails to download the parks trail app or use the parks trail web tool. However, park users are strongly encouraged to practice physical distancing by staying at least six feet apart from each other. When passing on biking or running trails, please try to maintain proper physical distance as much as possible. Remember to cover coughs or sneezes with a sleeve or elbow, and not hands. Do not shake hands. And if you are sick, please stay at home!

The Allegheny County Health Department strongly discourages all contact sports and sporting activities with close contact during this time.

If park-goers choose to use restrooms, playground equipment, exercise equipment, benches or other outdoor items with touch surfaces, proper handwashing and/or use of hand sanitizer is strongly encouraged before and afterward.

Hartwood Acres Mansion, Boyce Park Nature Center, North Park Golf Course, North Park Latodami Nature Center and South Park Golf Course are closed through Monday, April 6. Park offices are open regular business hours with skeleton staffs to answer phones and email, but officials ask the public not to visit park offices in person. All park business may be conducted by emailing webmaster.parks@alleghenycounty.us or calling 412-350-2455, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:00 pm.

All facility rentals are canceled through Monday, April 6, and customers will automatically receive full refunds. All park ranger and naturalist programs and activities are canceled through Monday, April 6. The Hartwood Acres Egg Hunt on April 4 is canceled, and registrants will automatically receive full refunds. Cookies with Cottontail at North Park on April 5 is canceled. As previously announced, star parties scheduled for April 3 and April 4 at Wagman Observatory in Deer Lakes Park are canceled.

All sports programming scheduled to begin between April 1 and April 18 has been postponed by two weeks. This includes dek hockey, flag football, learn to ride a bike classes, mountain biking, soccer, softball, T-ball, ultimate frisbee and yoga. L.L. Bean programs in North Park are suspended through April 15. Tinkergarten classes have also been postponed until the week of April 20.

Park users who wish to cancel facility rentals or paid program registrations beyond April 6 will receive full refunds. Customers should email name, permit/activity number and phone number to webmaster.parks@alleghenycounty.us or call 412-350-2455, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:00 pm. This policy will remain in effect until further notice.

Police Academy

All training at the Allegheny County Police Academy will remain suspended until it is prudent to resume operations. Suspended training includes:

· Basic Recruit Class

· All Mandatory In-Service Training (MIST) including academy and satellite locations)

· All Elective In-Service Training (including hosted training classes)

· All firearms range training and simulator training

· All Civil Service Testing services

Officers currently registered for MIST training during March and April can be rescheduled for August, September and October sessions; additional sessions will be added during the late summer and early fall, as needed. Officers are also encouraged to consider online MIST training at www.pavtn.net.

Shuman Center

Effective immediately, parent and guardian visitation at the Shuman Center has been ended. Residents will be allowed additional free phone calls and the administration is working to access additional technology to allow for video communication between residents and families.

UPDATE 3:57 p.m.: Officials with Goodwill are urging people not to donate items to local stores until distribution centers reopen.

With donation centers closed due to the coronavirus, items are simply being left outside, causing them to be damaged or ruined by the weather. Stores and centers will be reopened once government officials give the say so.

UPDATE 3:55 p.m.: Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner is planning to address the County Council in reference to employees being ordered to report to work during the coronavirus outbreak.

In a statement sent to Channel 11, Wagner said:

"The treatment of very many County employees during this crisis has flown in the face of public health advisories (even those given by this County’s own Health Department) and, frankly, basic fairness.

To date, nearly all County employees under the administration are being required to report to work, unless he or she is symptomatic and provides an excuse through a healthcare provider. This is in spite of the clear science that indicates that COVID-19 can be spread by asymptomatic individuals and that we are experiencing “community spread” in Allegheny County."

She also said she has heard from employees who are “both scared and outraged."

UPDATE 3:27 p.m.: Penn State University announced a case of coronavirus at main campus in an alert today.

While there were no further details offered, there are cases of coronavirus in Centre County.

UPDATE 3:02 p.m.: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced $100 million has been awarded to health centers across the country to help fight the coronavirus.

HHS said the money can be used for screening and testing needs, buying medical supplies and boosting telehealth capacity.

Locally, there are six facilities receiving grant money:

• Community Health Clinic, Inc. in New Kensington: $53,976
• East Liberty Family Health Care Center in Pittsburgh: $61,959
• North Side Christian Health Center in Pittsburgh: $53,469
• Primary Care Health Services, Inc. in Pittsburgh: $64,082
• Squirrel Hill Health Center in Pittsburgh: $59,639
• Sto-Rox Neighborhood Health Council, Inc. in McKees Rocks: $53,260

UPDATE 2:49 p.m.: Officials with UPMC announced changes to visitation policies.

Inpatients and Outpatients

Beginning Tuesday, March 24, inpatient and outpatient visitation guidelines will shift from limited to restricted, outlined below. Hospitals and facilities, except UPMC Chautauqua, will follow these guidelines. Rare exceptions will be made in end-of-life and special circumstances, such as when the visitor is essential for the patient’s emotional well-being and health. Any exceptions must be approved by the facility’s chief nursing officer.

We trust you to help us keep our patients safe, and the greeters at our entrances are not screening for symptoms at this time. As the signs in our hospitals and offices explain, any non-patient that has shortness of breath, fever, cough, or has been in contact with someone who is being tested for COVID-19 should not enter UPMC facilities.

Inpatients being tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19:

• No inpatient visitors

Non-COVID-19 inpatients (all hospital departments, excluding obstetrics, pediatrics, L&D, and NICU) AND outpatients (of all physician practices, rehab, cancer centers, imaging, and all outpatient locations):

• Inpatients: No visitors
• Inpatient surgery patients: One visitor for post-surgery discussion and accompany to inpatient room, then immediately leave
• Outpatient surgery patients: One visitor for post-surgery discussion and assistance for discharge
• Emergency Department patients: One visitor is permitted to stay with the patient
• During clinical assessment, if the patient becomes a person under investigation (PUI) or COVID-19 testing is being considered, take the visitor’s name and contact number, request the visitor leave the facility and wait in their vehicle, all future communications with that visitor will be telephonic
• Patient is discharged: Visitor may stay with the patient, staff may encourage waiting in the vehicle if appropriate
• Patient is admitted: Visitor may accompany patient to inpatient room, then immediately leave
• All other outpatients (in hospital and outpatient settings): Allowed one companion only if patient requires assistance; otherwise, companion will be requested to wait in the car
• No children visitors will be permitted in any care setting, must be 18 years of age or older

Obstetrics, pediatric inpatients, labor and delivery, and NICU inpatients:

• Any visitors must be screened prior to entry, via symptom/travel screen questionnaire not body temperature scan
• No visitors who are ill, sick, frail, elderly, or at-risk (i.e. immune compromised or serious chronic illness)
• No children will be permitted, must be 18 years of age or older
• Obstetrics and L&D: Visitors will be limited to the same 1 support person per patient for the entire stay (i.e. partner, doula)
• Peds and NICU: Visitors will be limited to the same 2 support persons per patient for the entire stay (i.e. parent, guardian)

Transitional care unit (TCU) patients:

• Follow long-term care visitation guidelines below

Behavioral health services (UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital and all inpatient behavioral health settings):

• No visitors on inpatient units are permitted
• One visitor is allowed for Emergency Department visits and ECT/TMS appointments

UPMC Chautauqua:

• Following guidelines from the New York Department of Health, all visitation is suspended except for legal or family visitation in end-of-life cases
• In the event of an exemption, all visitors will be screened (questionnaire, not body temperature scan) for:
• Shortness of breath, fever, cough, or contact with someone who is under investigation for COVID-19

Long-Term Care

UPMC is temporarily restricting visitation at all UPMC Senior Communities long-term care facilities, including skilled nursing, personal care, and assisted and independent living settings, and hospital transitional care units (TCUs). Visitors will be permitted only in special situations, approved by the facility administrator or designated manager. Special situations may include end-of-life visitation and when a visitor is essential for the resident’s emotional well-being and care.

At UPMC Senior Communities, essential health providers and vendors, and special-approved visitors must be clinically screened by a staff member at designated facility entrances. All clinical screening at entry is not currently applicable for TCUs inside hospitals.

The UPMC Senior Communities entrance screener will ask four questions, below, documenting name and “yes” or “no” responses on a log, and complete a body temperature.

1. Signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat.

• In line with CMS recommendations, UPMC Senior Communities clinical screen guidelines have increased to include taking body temperatures upon facility entry. Any person with a temperature of 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit or greater is not permitted facility entry.
• Primary method: Temporal artery (forehead) or tympanic (ear) thermometers.
• Alternate method: Oral (mouth) thermometer. Per manufacturer instruction, and disinfection between use per manufacturer instruction.

2. In the last 14 days, has had contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or under investigation for COVID-19, or are ill with respiratory illness.3. International travel within the last 14 days to countries with sustained community transmission.4. Residing in a community where community-based spread of COVID-19 is occurring.

If the person answers “yes” to any of the screening questions, or appears to be ill, they will not be allowed to enter and will be directed to see their primary care physician or use UPMC AnywhereCare. If the person needs immediate emergency care, they will be referred to go to their nearest hospital Emergency Department.

Employee Facility Entry Screening at UPMC Senior Communities (only):

All UPMC Senior Communities employees (only) entering facilities, upon arrival for their shift, will be screened prior to entry in the same manner as outlined above, using a separate log for employees. Any employee answering “yes” to any of the four questions or with a temperature of 100.0 degrees or greater will be directed to return home and call our 24/7 MyHealth@Work hotline at 1-833-854-7386. All clinical screening at entry is not currently applicable for TCUs inside hospitals.

All UPMC Volunteer Services

For the safety of our volunteers and to further protect the spread of illness, in addition to visitor restrictions, volunteer activities are in all UPMC hospitals and facilities are temporarily suspended. UPMC will continue to evaluate the future use of volunteers as this situation evolves.

UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: Several Pittsburgh Police officers are ending their self-isolation after the driver of a vehicle involved in a minor collision tested negative for coronavirus.

The officers who were at the crash scene yesterday were sent home immediately until the testing could be finalized.

UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: Officials with Central Outreach Wellness said they will be suspending coronavirus testing at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and will be working to find out how to keep funding the initiative.

The agency released the numbers related to testing in the parking lot of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium as well as the drive-thru testing at their own facility.

Pittsburgh Zoo parking lot:

• 612 people screened
• 308 people tested
• 10 positive tests

Central Outreach Aliquippa:

• 47 people tested
• 5 positive results

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: According to officials with Allegheny County, the Poison Center has seen an 82% increase in hand sanitizer exposures in the last two weeks as compared to the same time period last year.

Also, people are reminded to call 911 only for critical emergency services.

“We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone, and that there are many questions, but we want to ensure that 9-1-1 is used for emergencies only,” said Chief Matt Brown with Allegheny County Emergency Services. “If you need immediate medical assistance, please call 9-1-1. But if you have questions about COVID-19, please call the county’s 24/7 COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-856-2774. If you have questions about your symptoms, please call your primary care physician. If you do not have a primary care physician, please call the COVID hotline.”

Individuals that wish to report that a business is not complying with Governor Wolf’s order related to life-sustaining business is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency using its non-emergency number. Municipalities that do not have local law enforcement coverage are asked to call the nearest Pennsylvania State Police station.

Furthermore, county officials are seeing an increase in exposures to toxic alcohol. With stores closed, many people turn to antifreeze, windshield washing fluid, cooking oils, rubbing alcohol and even hand sanitizer as a substitute.

Have questions about the spread of the coronavirus? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak. CLICK HERE for more.

The Pittsburgh Opera announced all performances and public events are cancelled through May 3.

Those events include:

• ‘Workshops for Educators’ which had been scheduled for Thursday, April 16th and Saturday, April 18th at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters
• The Norma radio preview show on WQED-FM which had been scheduled to air Saturday, April 18th and Friday, April 24th.
• ‘Opera Up Close’ which had been scheduled for Sunday, April 19th at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters
• All Norma performances at the Benedum Center. The performances were scheduled for April 25th and 28th, and May 1st and 3rd.
• All related events before/after each Norma performance, such as our Pre-Opera Talks, the New Guard cocktail and our Meet The Artists event which had been scheduled for after the conclusion of the April 28th performance.
• All performances of Norma

UPDATE 1:09 p.m.: Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto will reportedly be ending his self-quarantine tomorrow, according to our partners at TribLive.com.

Peduto had been working from home since attending a conference in Washington, D.C. earlier in the month. He said he may have been indirectly exposed to COVID-19 during his time there.

UPDATE 12:53 p.m.: Pittsburgh Fire and Public Safety officials are bottling 70 gallons of hand sanitizer for public agencies. The sanitizer was made by Maggies Farm Rum Distillery.

UPDATE 12:45 p.m.: The City of Pittsburgh is changing locations for students to get the grab-and-go meals. Children will be provided enough meals today to last them through Friday.

The Department of Parks and Recreation will follow a new schedule starting today with meals and activity packets available Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.:

• Arlington Rec Center – 2201 Salisbury St., 15210
• Paulson Rec Center - 1201 Paulson Ave. 15206
• Warrington Rec Center - 329 E. Warrington Ave. 15210
• Salvation Army Homewood location- 8020 Frankstown Ave. 15221
• Salvation Army Westside location - 1821 Broadhead Fording Rd. 15205

UPDATE 12:39 p.m.: Armstrong County Memorial Hospital confirmed it has the county’s first coronavirus patient at their facility.

People who may have come into contact with the person are being notified.

UPDATE (12:05 p.m.): There are now 207 additional positive cases of COVID-19 and four new deaths in Pennsylvania. The statewide total for cases now stands at 851. There have been seven total deaths.

Here is a breakdown of cases in western Pennsylvania from the Pennsylvania Department of Health:

• Washington County: 9
• Fayette County: 2
• Westmoreland County: 11
• Armstrong County: 1
• Butler County: 6
• Beaver County: 3
• Mercer County: 2

The Allegheny County Health Department said there are 58 cases in Allegheny County.

UPDATE (11:12 a.m.): Twenty-seven businesses in Pennsylvania were given warnings for not complying with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order for all non-life-sustaining businesses to close, Pennsylvania State Police announced.

The warnings were given out on the first day of the order’s enforcement, which was Monday.

>>STORY: Coronavirus: What businesses are considered ‘life-sustaining,’ ‘essential,’ or ‘non-essential’?

“As expected, we found the overwhelming majority of people and businesses across the commonwealth are voluntarily complying with the order and doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, said. “This process is two phased beginning with warnings to gain voluntary compliance, followed by enforcement as necessary.”

People can report noncompliant businesses by contacting their local law enforcement agency’s non-emergency number, not 911.

UPDATE (11:05 a.m.): In addition to the second coronavirus-related death in Allegheny County, 10 additional active cases were confirmed by the Allegheny County Health Department.

In all, there are 58 active cases of COVID-19 in Allegheny County. Six people are hospitalized.

The woman who died had not been hospitalized.

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UPDATE (10:55 a.m.): A second person has died in Allegheny County as a result of the coronavirus, the Allegheny County Health Department announced.

The person who died was a woman in her late 70s. It was not known that she was positive for coronavirus until after her death, officials said.

The woman had not recently travelled, but she did have other health issues that may have delayed recognition of COVID-19, according to officials.

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“After reporting the symptoms to the Medical Examiner’s office, COVID-19 testing was performed. After results came back positive, the Health Department began contact tracing based on information from the family, whose members have also been placed into self-isolation,” a news release said.

Paramedics who responded to a 911 call were wearing personal protective equipment, the Health Department said.

UPDATE (10:45 a.m.): The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is reopening indoor facilities at 23 rest areas to all motorists.

"While unnecessary travel is discouraged as we all do our part to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we understand that some trips are necessary and that access to rest areas is important," acting PennDOT secretary Yassmin Gramian said. "We are constantly evaluating our actions and services in responding to this emergency and will make adjustments where we can safely do so."

You can customize your WPXI News App to receive alerts for breaking news. CLICK HERE to find out how.

The following rest areas are being reopened, returning to normal service with additional cleaning and maintenance:

• Interstate 79 northbound in Allegheny County, 8 miles north of Exit 45
• Interstate 79 northbound in Crawford County, 8 miles north of Exit 154
• Interstate 79 southbound in Crawford County, 3 miles south of Exit 166
• Interstate 79 northbound in Lawrence County, 3.5 miles north of Exit 105
• Interstate 79 southbound in Lawrence County, 3.5 miles south of Exit 113
• Interstate 79 northbound in Mercer County, 5 miles south of Exit 141
• Interstate 79 southbound in Mercer County, 6 miles north of Exit 130
• Interstate 80 eastbound in Centre County, 13 miles east of Exit 133
• Interstate 80 westbound in Centre County, .5 miles west of Exit 147
• Interstate 80 eastbound in Jefferson County, 1 mile east of Exit 86
• Interstate 80 westbound in Jefferson County, 10 miles west of Exit 97
• Interstate 80 eastbound in Montour County, 4.5 miles east of Exit 215
• Interstate 80 westbound in Montour County, 4.5 miles west of Exit 224
• Interstate 80 eastbound in Venango County, .5 miles east of Exit 29
• Interstate 80 westbound in Venango County, 4 miles west of Exit 35
• Interstate 81 northbound in Cumberland County, .5 miles north of Exit 37
• Interstate 81 southbound in Cumberland County, 5.5 miles south of Exit 44
• Interstate 81 northbound in Lackawanna County, .5 miles north of Exit 202
• Interstate 81 northbound in Luzerne County, 1.5 miles north of Exit 155
• Interstate 81 southbound in Luzerne County, 1.5 miles south of Exit 159
• Interstate 81 southbound in Susquehanna County, 4 miles south of Exit 211
• Interstate 84 eastbound in Pike County, 6 miles east of Exit 20
• Interstate 84 westbound in Pike County, 1 mile west of Exit 26

UPDATE (9:50 a.m.): The Allegheny County Treasurer’s Office is temporary closed in accordance with Gov. Tom Wolf’s recommendations. It will remain closed until further notice.

“This isn’t a decision I make lightly, but it is the right decision. People come first,” Allegheny County Treasurer John Weinstein said. “We all share a responsibility to do our parts to minimize the effects of this virus, and my part is to help reduce spread by temporarily keeping my team home and encouraging our neighbors throughout Allegheny County to stay home when possible. We’re in this together, and we’ll get through it together.”

The deadline for taxpayers to receive the 2 percent county real estate tax discount has been extended to April 30. The deadline to pay the face value amount is now May 31.

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UPDATE (9:40 a.m.): Gov. Tom Wolf’s Administration is reminding Pennsylvanians of food assistance programs and resources available to them.

“Pennsylvanians who need help feeding themselves or their family should find and contact their local food bank or pantry through Feeding Pennsylvania and Hunger-Free Pennsylvania,” a news release said.

The Department of Human Services is continuing to process applications and benefit renewals for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

UPDATE (7:40 a.m.): Japan’s NHK television says Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will propose 1-year Olympic postponement during talks with IOC, according to the Associated Press.

>>STORY: Abe says IOC agrees ’100%' that Olympics should be postponed

UPDATE (4:30 a.m.): Allegheny County, along with several counties near Philadelphia, are under a stay-at-home order announced by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf.

You can customize your WPXI News App to receive alerts for breaking news. CLICK HERE to find out how.

The order will remain in place for two weeks and is intended to stop people from leaving their homes for reasons other than those that include:

• Tasks essential to maintaining health or safety for you or a family member. For instance, picking up a medication or traveling to care for a family member or someone vulnerable.
• Volunteering efforts
• Outdoor activities like hiking or running while keeping a distance from others.
• Necessary travel to an educational institution, travel ordered by the courts or law enforcement, travel needed to return home from being out of town or travel for maintaining a life sustaining business.

>>MORE: Coronavirus: What does a stay-at-home order mean for you?

Gov. Wolf issues stay-at-home order in certain counties to help stop the spread of coronavirus Gov. Wolf issues stay-at-home order in certain counties to help stop the spread of coronavirus

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