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...

COVID-19 Update, May 12: As Toomey demands reopening, Fauci warns of ‘uncontrollable’ outbreaks

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa A day after a firestorm by an apparent attempt by GOP legislative leaders to spark various county rebellions against Gov. Tom Wolf’s emergency COVID-19 Stay At Home and business closure orders — and Wolf making it clear those counties would pay a price — there appeared to be an uneasy quiet with no action in the ongoing standoff. Beyond Wolf’s...

COVID-19 Update: Wolf lays down the law with rebel counties, even as Trump Tweets support for lawlessness

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times, @mikemncgannpa Gov. Tom Wolf Gov. Tom Wolf laid down the law Monday, literally, making it clear that counties and states that chose to ignore his emergency pandemic business shut down orders would face consequences ranging from loss of federal COVID-19 recovery funding, loss of insurance, licenses and other civil penalties, even as President Donald Trump took to Twitter...

LCH gets COVID-19 funding

KENNETT SQUARE — Despite the closings and limitations of businesses over the past seven weeks during the pandemic, local community health center LCH (La Comunidad Hispana) has been able to offer essential health and community services at all three of its locations.  “This is a very vulnerable time for the community,” said Federico Ceppa, MD, Director of Primary Care.  “We have to be open...

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...

Chesco Coroner releases COVID-19 fatality statistics at long-term care facilities

WEST CHESTER — In response to requests from families and some of Chester County’s elected officials, the Chester County Coroner’s Office is releasing further information on COVID-19 deaths in long-term care facilities in Chester County. Between March 28, 2020 and May 6, 2020, 183 residents of long-term-care facilities have lost their lives to COVID-19. According to the Chester County Health Department...

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...