ALLEGHENY COUNTY (KDKA) – The Allegheny County Health Department is forcing bars, restaurants and casinos to close, as well as to cancel all activities and events with more than 25 people.
This order occurs when the Allegheny County Health Department announced 233 new cases of Coronavirus on Thursday.
(Photo credit: KDKA)
For the past two weeks, the health department has been reporting more new cases of the virus than the county has seen since the pandemic. Dr. Bogen is also urging Allegheny County residents not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary. This order comes in addition to the on-site alcohol ban announced Sunday.
The complete closing order can be read here.
Takeaway and delivery will continue to be available. The closure will begin on July 3 at 12:01 am and does not apply to religious gatherings.
“It is devastating,” said Carmella Salem, owner of Carmella’s Plates & Pints. “It is completely devastating for our industry.”
Salem says Carmella offered to take out only for 10 weeks during the initial shutdown. The thought of doing it again is painful.
“I just can’t do it,” he said. “I am emotionally drained. Hopefully it won’t last more than a week. “
Salem said part of the frustration is due to a lack of compliance by establishments that ignored the state’s guidance for reopening, while she invested in security measures for her restaurant.
The county also announced that it will cancel all rentals for facilities, shelters or fields from July 3 to 9 due to the recent increase in cases. The county says refunds will be issued.
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And because of the order, the city of Pittsburgh has revoked permits for nine block parties this weekend, all of which are neighborhood meetings.
Dr. Bogen also recommends “a voluntary home stay protocol” for residents. It is not part of the order, but the county health department says limiting travel helps reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
The county hopes these measures will bring the virus back under control, although they cautioned that they expect the numbers to “significantly increase” tomorrow.
The expectation is that the numbers will also increase significantly again tomorrow. Wearing masks, washing hands, and keeping physical distance from others is absolutely essential to keeping our community safe, now more than ever.
– Allegheny County Health Department (@HealthAllegheny) July 2, 2020
“This is a time to think not only about your own risk assessment, but also about what you might inadvertently do to people,” says Dr. Donald Yealy, chair of UPMC’s Department of Emergency Medicine.
The health department says that three-quarters of the new cases occurred among people ages 19 to 49, with 27 being the median age. The age range of 19 to 49 years now represents half of all reported cases since the start of the outbreak in Allegheny County.
The health department says the number of cases between 19 and 24 years old has doubled since June 20 and now represents a third of new cases.
“Younger people with the disease, many of whom have no or very mild symptoms,” says Dr. Yealy.
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Since June 20, there have been 31 new hospitalizations, thirteen of which occurred in the past three days. Seven people were between 20 and 30 years old.
“While the total number of infections has increased, probably due to risky behaviors such as travel and here locally in bars or wherever, we have not seen the same increase in hospitalizations,” says Dr. Yealy.
Dr. Bogen said hospitalizations are delayed by about a week behind the cases.
“I know that people were angry and frustrated with recent events, including the increase in cases, the previous order and recommendations, as well as the state mask order,” said Dr. Debra Bogen, director of the county health department. .
“I also realize that this new request will not improve any of that, but as Director of the Department of Health, I am charged with protecting, promoting, and preserving the health and well-being of all county residents, particularly the most vulnerable. This is not a decision I have taken lightly, but I think it is necessary based on the new cases in the county and the community spread that is taking place. “
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