Each afternoon, we'll be sharing a roundup of the day's latest updates and headlines around the coronavirus pandemic and vaccine rollout in Allegheny Count and across Pennsylvania.
Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021
The first case of the U.K. variant of COVID-19 has been reported in Allegheny County. Studies suggest the U.K. variant spreads much more easily than other variants of COVID-19.
“I suspected that it’s been present in the County for a while,” said Allegheny County Health Department director Dr. Debra Bogen. “This news reinforces the need for us all to double down on the efforts we’re taking to control the spread of the virus.”
Bogen says the person does not know how they contracted the virus. The first case of the U.K. variant in Pennsylvania was detected last month.
Allegheny County began delivering COVID-19 vaccine doses to senior high rises and similar communities today. Bogen says the initiative aims to fill a gap in the vaccine rollout.
“Based on the supply of vaccine that the county receives from the state, this team will provide vaccine to seniors at county housing authority buildings throughout the county,” Bogen said.
Vaccine will be distributed this week at county housing authority buildings in West Mifflin, Turtle Creek, Homestead and Clairton. Officials say the Health Department will administer vaccines to residents at 170 senior buildings.
The Allegheny County Health Department reported 35 new deaths Wednesday, which included information from the state database. Six of the deaths were more than a week old and one of the deaths dated back to December.
Despite the high number of deaths reported today, the number of COVID-19 diagnoses and hospitalizations continue to decrease in the Pittsburgh region. With that in mind, the Allegheny Health Network on Wednesday announced changes in its hospital visitation policies for inpatient stays and outpatient visits. Among the changes: while patients may only have one visitor in the facility at a time during visitation hours, the support person can change throughout the day.
Visitors who have COVID-19, are symptomatic, have been exposed to the virus, or have COVID test results pending may not visit.
A COVID-19 mobile testing site will be at Imani Christian Academy on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Walk-ins are welcome for the 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. time slots, but preregistration is recommended.
Insurance is not required, but if a patient does have insurance, it will be billed. The address is 2150 East Hills Drive, Pittsburgh Pa. 15221.
TODAY'S NUMBERS
Allegheny Co.:
- 239 new positive cases
- 35 new deaths
- 75,819 people have been partially vaccinated
- 33,126 people have been fully vaccinated
Pennsylvania:
- 3,378 new postive cases
- 125 new deaths
- 2,890 patients hospitalized
- 574 patients in the ICU
- 1,401,840 doses of the vaccine have been administered to 1,084,502 people
