Coronavirus pandemic

By: KDKA-TV News Staff HARRISBURG (KDKA) — The Pennsylvania Department of Health is reporting 4,577 new Coronavirus cases and 77 additional deaths. This brings the statewide total to 1,113,868 cases and 25,767 total COVID-19 related deaths since the pandemic began. There are 2,705 people across the state in the hospital with COVID-19 and 561 patients are in ICUs. The state says 7,254,446 vaccine doses have been administered so far, and 2,828,907 people are fully vaccinated. All Pennsylvanians 16 or older are eligible to get vaccinated. If you have concerns about the virus, you can check out the state’s COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard There are 4,302,330 individuals who have tested negative for COVID-19 to date. There have been 70,221 cases among residents and 14,619 cases among employees of licensed nursing and personal care homes statewide. Out of all total deaths, 13,032 have been in residents of nursing or personal care facilities. The state … [Read more...] about COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Health Department Reports 4,577 New Coronavirus Cases, 77 More Deaths

BOSTON (AP) — This year’s 11th graders won’t be required to take the MCAS test to graduate as the state continues to slowly emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education board voted Tuesday to modify graduation requirements so members of the Class of 2022 won’t be required to take the MCAS test to graduate due to the turmoil created by the pandemic. READ MORE: 'George Floyd’s Life Mattered': Local Politicians React To Derek Chauvin Verdict It marks the first time since 2003 that an entire high school class has been exempted from having to pass the exam in order to graduate. READ MORE: Gov. Baker Makes National Guard Available After Chauvin Guilty Verdict The change had been recommended last month by Massachusetts Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley. Thousands of students across the state have begun returning to in-classroom education after the pandemic forced many schools to adapt to remote teaching. MORE NEWS: … [Read more...] about MCAS Exam Requirement Lifted For Class Of 2022 Due To Pandemic

By: KDKA-TV News Staff PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Allegheny County Health Department is reporting 389 new Coronavirus cases and three additional deaths. Of the newly reported cases, the Health Department says 234 are confirmed and 155 are probable cases. The Health Department says new cases range in age from three months to 94 years with a median age of 29 years. There have been 6,490 total hospitalizations and 94,501 total coronavirus cases in Allegheny County since the pandemic started. The county-wide death toll stands at 1,837. More information on the Coronavirus pandemic: CDC Coronavirus Information CDC Global Map of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Pennsylvania Department of Health Information Allegheny County Health Department Information … [Read more...] about COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 389 New Coronavirus Cases, Increasing County Total To 94,501

PARIS - Media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders, RSF, says the coronavirus pandemic has helped to curb press freedom and spread disinformation, with a shrinking number of countries offering favorable environments for journalism. Reporters Without Borders’ latest Press Freedom Index offers little good news about the state of today’s media. While it shows little change from last year, the overall indicator of world press freedom has dropped significantly in recent years. The Nordic countries, along with Costa Rica, are again high up on the index, with Norway ranked first for the fifth year running. North Korea again placed last, at 180, with Turkmenistan, China and Djibouti right behind. Significantly, RSF found, the coronavirus pandemic has helped to exacerbate repression. Pauline Ades-Mevel is a spokeswoman for the group. "This year’s index, which evaluates the press freedom in 180 countries, shows that journalism — which is arguably the best vaccine against the virus … [Read more...] about Survey Says Pandemic Is Taking Toll on Press Freedom

Advocates in favor of raising the federal minimum wage met with Sen. Joe Manchin Joe Manchin On The Money: Treasury creates hub to fight climate change | Manchin throws support behind union-backed PRO Act | Consumer bureau rolls out rule to bolster CDC eviction ban Miners union to back Biden on green energy if it retains jobs Manchin throws support behind union-backed PRO Act MORE (D-W.Va.) on Thursday in hopes of convincing the moderate Democrat to reconsider his opposition to a $15 an hour rate. Manchin, who has signaled support for a smaller minimum wage increase, held the virtual meeting with representatives from groups such as the Poor People’s Campaign and Service Employees International Union. Rev. William J. Barber II, president of Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign, said a $15 minimum wage shouldn’t be a partisan debate. ADVERTISEMENT “No politician, Democrat [or] Republican … can say this is a left issue or … [Read more...] about Manchin meets with advocates pushing for $15 minimum wage