COVID-19 Update, May 14: GOP legislators call on Wolf to move Chesco to Yellow

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa As the death toll climbs in the state and in Chester County, three local Republican state legislators called on Gov. Tom Wolf to move the county to “Yellow” status, Thursday. While Chester County does meet some of metrics laid out by Wolf’s plan to reopen the state — in particular medical capacity — it still fails in a few key areas: testing...

COVID-19 Update, May 13: State officials remind shoppers to wear masks to protect essential workers

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Although the number of new COVID-19 cases in the commonwealth — and Chester County — appears to be shrinking, state officials are reminding residents to continue to be patient as the state works through the crisis. One area in particular is anger that seems to be being vented at workers at grocery stores and other essential retailers when employees...

Chesco extends essential-services only to June 4

WEST CHESTER — Chester County Government officials Wednesday announced the extension of the County’s essential services-only operation to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).   The extended period runs to Thursday, June 4. The Commissioners will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and adjust the status of essential services-only as necessary. The essential services identified...

COVID-19 Update, May 12: As Toomey demands reopening, Fauci warns of ‘uncontrollable’ outbreaks

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa A day after a firestorm by an apparent attempt by GOP legislative leaders to spark various county rebellions against Gov. Tom Wolf’s emergency COVID-19 Stay At Home and business closure orders — and Wolf making it clear those counties would pay a price — there appeared to be an uneasy quiet with no action in the ongoing standoff. Beyond Wolf’s...

COVID-19 Update: Wolf lays down the law with rebel counties, even as Trump Tweets support for lawlessness

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times, @mikemncgannpa Gov. Tom Wolf Gov. Tom Wolf laid down the law Monday, literally, making it clear that counties and states that chose to ignore his emergency pandemic business shut down orders would face consequences ranging from loss of federal COVID-19 recovery funding, loss of insurance, licenses and other civil penalties, even as President Donald Trump took to Twitter...

LCH gets COVID-19 funding

KENNETT SQUARE — Despite the closings and limitations of businesses over the past seven weeks during the pandemic, local community health center LCH (La Comunidad Hispana) has been able to offer essential health and community services at all three of its locations.  “This is a very vulnerable time for the community,” said Federico Ceppa, MD, Director of Primary Care.  “We have to be open...

COVID-19 Update: Wolf to move 13 more counties from Red to Yellow, May 15, but not Chesco

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa The most recent new case and testing numbers for COVID-19 from Chester County Health show a continued, gradual overall down trend line as of May 8. Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday that 13 more counties will move from “Red” to “Yellow” next Friday, as the first 34 counties to make that move opened up today, while extending the Stay At Home orders...

Chesco to start antibody testing of first responders, healthcare professionals

WEST CHESTER — After nearly a month of intensive efforts by Chester County Government to overcome restrictions imposed for antibody testing, the County confirms it is now able to begin point-of-contact testing for essential function individuals who are on the front line of the COVID-19 crisis in Chester County – although questions about both the reliability of such tests and whether infection provides...

Chesco Coroner releases COVID-19 fatality statistics at long-term care facilities

WEST CHESTER — In response to requests from families and some of Chester County’s elected officials, the Chester County Coroner’s Office is releasing further information on COVID-19 deaths in long-term care facilities in Chester County. Between March 28, 2020 and May 6, 2020, 183 residents of long-term-care facilities have lost their lives to COVID-19. According to the Chester County Health Department...

Hennessey delivers N95 masks to SE Veterans Center

State Rep. Tim Hennessey SPRING CITY – State Representative Tim Hennessey (R-26) visited Southeastern Veterans Center (SEVC) recently to deliver three hundred N95 masks for the veterans in residence at the center. “I asked my son to locate these masks and I purchased them so our veterans can be safe and secure in place,” Hennessey said in a statement. “We owe our veterans not only...