Allegheny County: STAY AT HOME

Today, Governor Wolf issued a stay-at-home order for seven counties in Pennsylvania (Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Monroe, Montgomery, and Philadelphia).  

Under Governor Wolf’s order, personnel who are providing life-sustaining services, can continue to be deemed essential and are permitted to continue their work, provided they adhere to social distancing guidelines. 

Governor Wolf has taken bold, necessary action with the Stay at Home order for Allegheny and other counties. The spike we are seeing in new cases is alarming and it’s only with stronger directives like this that we are going to slow this virus down. I urge everyone to take his order seriously and stay at home as much as possible, and limit even your essential travel. Your health, and the health of everyone in your community, is at stake. 

Telephone Townhall – Tuesday, March 24 

On Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 5:30 p.m., I will hold a live Telephone Town Hall Meeting to discuss the Coronavirus. I'll will be joined by Arvind Venkat, MD, FACEP, President, Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians. 

To listen live on your phone, computer or tablet: https://vekeo.com/senatorcosta/ 

To sign up from your phone, text SENCOSTA to 833-898-5483. 

We continue to see a spike in Coronavirus cases here in Pennsylvania, and to reverse that trend, Governor Tom Wolf has issued the following orders and guidelines that you should be aware of: 

• Enforcement of business closures will begin at 8:00 a.m., Monday, March 23. 
• Provided closure enforcement guidance to law enforcement. 
• All non-life-sustaining businesses must close to slow the spread of COVID-19 
• Pennsylvania k-12 schools closed with guidance provided. 
• Postponing in-person events that consist of 10 people or more throughout the United States. 
• Discretion for religious leaders in holding services. 
• No-visitor policies at all State correctional facilities and nursing homes to ensure the safety of inmates, residents, staff and visitors. 
• Restricted-visitor policies in state centers. 
• Restricted-visitor policies in assisted living and personal care homes. 

Following these guidelines will help us stop the spread, flatten the curve and get this virus under control. Please stay home if you are able. If you are an essential employee, wash your hands frequently and keep as far from other people as possible. 

CDC Information on COVID testing     

Not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. Here is some information that might help in making decisions about seeking care or testing. 

• Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. 

• There is no treatment specifically approved for this virus. 
• Testing results may be helpful to inform decision-making about who you come in contact with. 

CDC has guidance for who should be tested, but decisions about testing are at the discretion of state and local health departments and/or individual clinicians. 

How to get tested 

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, try calling your state or local health department or a medical provider. While supplies of these tests are increasing, it may still be difficult to find a place to get tested. 

CDC expects that widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the United States will occur. In the coming months, most of the U.S. population will be exposed to this virus. You should continue to practice all the protective measures recommended to keep yourself and others free from illness. 

Food Insecurity  

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is working to ensure access to food does not stop during this time of emergency. We know that this pandemic has caused many people and families to find that they are suddenly food insecure and require assistance.  

DHS has operationalized its Feeding Task Force. The Feeding Task Force is comprised of public, private, and non-profit partners from across the state, including, among others, the Governor’s Food Security Partnership state agencies, the Salvation Army, Feeding PA and other charitable food organizations, and the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. This task force is the centralized hub where they identify available resources, determine where needs are, how many meals are needed, how we are getting food to people, and how we are getting volunteers to help charitable food networks across Pennsylvania. This includes ensuring populations like children, older adults, and others with food insecurities are provided with nourishing meals.   

Even during closures, DHS will also continue to process SNAP applications. Pennsylvanians can apply online at: www.compass.state.pa.us.   

 The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture also has information on its website at: https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Pages/COVID-19.aspx.    If individual food pantries close, individuals can call their regional food bank, all of which are operating.  

My office is still working    

If you are having trouble with any state agency during this time, please call my office. My staff is still working. 

You can reach us at 412-241-6690 

For more information and updates, please visit senatorcosta.com/covid19.

When to seek treatment 

If you’re having flu-like symptoms and aren’t sure what to do, check out this helpful grpahic from the Department of Health.  

Stay Connected

Offices to Serve You