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...

It’s happening: Democrats to outnumber GOP in Chester County

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Well, it finally happened. By Monday, it is very likely that for the first time since before the Civil War, there will be more registered Democrats in Chester County than Republicans. Last week, the gap had closed to less than 65, and Democrats had been picking up a couple of hundred registered voters a week in recent weeks. Obviously, electorally, Chester...

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...

COVID 19 Update, May 7: Wolf expected to add more counties to Yellow status

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa As statewide COVID-19 cases continue to sit at a relative plateau, as published reports said  Gov. Tom Wolf is expected to announce more counties Friday that will move from closed (Red) to partially open (Yellow) but it seems unlikely that Chester County will be among those counties. Meanwhile Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced an extension...

COVID-19 Update, May 6: New cases continue downward trend

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa The latest map of COVID-19 cases from the Chester County Health department as of May 6. Darker areas mean more cases. It is increasingly possible that the worst might — might — be over for Pennsylvania in the COVID-19 pandemic as new cases statewide and locally continue to show a slow downward trend. The state is just days away from beginning to reopen...

COVID-19 Update, May 5: New cases look to be edging downward, statewide

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Pennsylvania is clearly either seeing a plateau or gradual decline in the number of COVID-19 cases, but the toll of the virus becomes clear as the state Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday it discovered an additional 554 new deaths over the last two weeks as new data was compiled statewide. DOH reported 865 new cases Tuesday, bringing the total of...

Commissioners announce small business grant program

WEST CHESTER — A grant program created at the request of the Chester County Commissioners provides funding for small businesses and agricultural enterprises in the county that were unable to take advantage of any federal and commonwealth existing COVID-19 response programs.  Grants of up to $25,000 will be available to all eligible businesses through the Chester County Main Street Preservation program....

Coroner: COVID-19 deaths appear to be declining

WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Coroner’s Office released data Monday showing that the number of new COVID-19 deaths reported for the past week was 39, down from a high of 56 in the week ending April 19, 2020. The first confirmed COVID-19 death in Chester County occurred on March 28, 2020, with rapid increases in the number of deaths reported weekly thereafter. As of midnight May 3, 2020, the...

COVID-19 Update, May 1: Wolf to start reopening in 22 counties; Chester likely to among last to open

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Gov. Tom Wolf began the slow process of reopening the state Friday by saying 22 counties will shift from from fully closed — or red status — to partially open — or yellow status — on next Friday, May 8. The 24 counties that will move from red to yellow on May 8 are: Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie,...