COVID-19 Update, April 3: Pa. death toll climbs past 100, more than 8K positive tests

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Pennsylvania passed a solemn benchmark, marking the 100th death in the state from COVID-19, as positive test results jumped 1,404 to a total of 8,420 statewide. The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) reported 12 new deaths Thursday — bringing the state total of fatalities to 102. “The continued rise in cases combined with our increasing deaths from COVID-19...

COVID-19 Update, April 2: Cases spike statewide, locally; two deaths reported in Chesco

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The official map of COVID-19 cases in Chester County as provided by the Chester County Health Department on April 2. Case numbers of COVID-19 spiked sharply both statewide and in Chester County yesterday — with the report of two more deaths in the county on Wednesday. Statewide, the state Department of Health jumped by 1,211 to a total of 7,016 with 16 new deaths,...

COVID-19 Update, April 1: Wolf makes ‘Stay at Home’ statewide; positive test results spike in Pa, growth in Chesco

Updated 3:30 p.m.: Gov. Wolf expands stay at home to entire state. By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times COVID-19 cases grew sharply in one day in Pennsylvania, spiking to 5,805 cases in 60 counties — an increase of nearly 1,000 in a day — and 14 additional deaths, bringing the statewide total to 74. Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Tom Wolf extended his ‘Stay At Home’ order to the entire...

COVID-19 Update, March 31: Pa. cases, deaths continue to rise; Devon Horse Show cancelled

Updated 1:35 p.m.: Adds extension of essential services only through April 30 for Chester County. Updated 1:20 p.m.: Includes seven new counties under stay at home order. By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Cases of COVID-19 continue to grow in Pennsylvania and Chester County and the death toll in the commonwealth continues to rise. The state Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday that there are...

COVID-19 Update, March 30: First death recorded in Chesco; state, local infections continue to rise

Updated, 3 pm: Adds four new counties under “stay at home” orders. By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times A map showing the cases of COVID-19 cases in Chester County as of March 30. Courtesy, Chester County Health Department. Chester County suffered its first fatality, Sunday, from the COVID-19 virus, county officials said Monday. The victim was an 89-year-old male who lived in Willistown...

COVID-19 Update March 28: Positive cases continue to grow; more counties under ‘stay at home’ order

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times COVID-19 cases continue to grow in Pennsylvania and Chester County, as Gov. Tom Wolf added more counties Saturday to the “stay at home” orders, bringing the statewide total to 22 counties under virtual lockdown to fight the spread of virus. The order now includes these 22 counties: Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Bucks, Butler, Centre, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Lackawanna,...

COVID-19 Update 3-27: Cases continue to climb in Pa.; primary election formally delayed

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The steady growth in cases of COVID-19 and deaths continues in Pennsylvania, while growth in Chester County appears to have slowed for one day, while state government continues to add legislation and programs in order to aid the fight against the deadly virus. The new numbers, as of midday Friday from the state Department of Health said that there are 531 additional...

COVID-19 cases continue to spike in Pa., Chesco

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to take its toll on Pennsylvania and Chester County as reported cases continue to spike higher — and the state’s death toll is now 11. Eric County was added to the seven counties — including Chester County — under the governor’s stay at home orders. In Pennsylvania, the state Department of Health reports 1,127 cases...

Wolf flawed but OK on COVID-19, but DOH dropping the ball

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times I don’t want to nitpick, but… Look, let’s be clear: Gov. Tom Wolf has done a solid job in reacting to COVID-19 crisis. Compared to knuckleheads like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, he’s been brilliant. Compared to President Donald Trump….well, he’s a super genius. But, admittedly, that’s been kind of a low bar. Compare Wolf to...

COVID-19 Update: Reports say state may consider ‘Stay At Home’ order, already in effect in Philly and Del.

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times As state officials are said to be considering a “stay at home” order (already in effect in Philadelphia and Delaware) and delaying the April primary until June 2, the statewide and local COVID-19 case load continues to grow, as does the death toll. As of Monday morning, Pennsylvania is reporting 479 cases in 33 counties and three deaths. Chester County is reporting...