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Catholic Human/Social Services to provide takeout Thanksgiving meals in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton

WILKES-BARRE &mdash; The Department of Health reported Tuesday that there were 196 new cases of COVID-19 in Luzerne County and 12 new deaths.
				That brings the total number of confirmed cases in Luzerne County to 8,739; the death count is at 263.
				Neighboring Lackawanna County has 4,887 cases and 231 deaths; Monroe County has 3,040 cases and 141 deaths.
				The Department of Health confirmed that there were 6,759 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 327,829.
				There are 3,897 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 826 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older.
				The trend in the 14-day moving average of number of hospitalized patients per day has increased by nearly 2,300 since the end of September.
				Statewide percent positivity for the week of Nov.-13&#8211;Nov. 19, stood at 11.1%.
				The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between Nov. 18 and Nov. 24, is 405,184, with 45,557 positive cases. There were 56,197 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., Nov. 24.
				As of 11:59 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 24, there were 144 new deaths reported for a total of 10,095 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
				Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
				There are 14,361 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 643 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.
				There are 2,743,221 individuals who have tested negative to date.
				The department has seen significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics.
				In nursing and personal care homes, there are 32,915 resident cases of COVID-19, and 6,466 cases among employees, for a total of 39,381 at 1,232 distinct facilities in 64 counties. Out of our total deaths, 6,430 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.
				Approximately 14,198 of our total cases are among health care workers.
				Gov. Wolf signs 90-day
				emergency declaration
				Gov. Tom Wolf Tuesday signed a third renewal of his 90-day Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. The first proclamation was signed on March 6, following the announcement of the first two presumptive positive cases of the virus in Pennsylvania.
				&ldquo;With cases and hospitalizations increasing, we cannot afford to let down our guard,&rdquo; said Gov. Wolf. &ldquo;This renewal will allow the commonwealth to maintain its response and support efforts as we face increasing case numbers and decreasing hospital capacity.&rdquo;
				The emergency disaster declaration provides for increased support to state agencies involved in the continued response to the virus and recovery for the state during reopening. This includes expediting supply procurement and lifting certain regulations to allow for efficient and effective mitigation.
				The disaster declaration has allowed for waivers and extensions to continue to provide for Pennsylvanians and businesses under the unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic, including the ability to waive the one-week waiting period to receive unemployment compensation, work search requirements, and the registration with PA CareerLink for applicants, and to provide relief from charges for employers; and allowing the commonwealth to suspend numerous training requirements and certification and licensure renewals for health care professionals, child care workers, direct care workers, direct support professionals, among other professional groups who provide life-sustaining services to our children, seniors, and vulnerable residents.
				Through the disaster declaration, PEMA has been able to mission assign the National Guard to provide various types of support for long term care facilities, including providing direct patient care support, ancillary support, and testing, and at community-based testing sites. It also provides PEMA with the ability to leverage continued federal support such as non-congregate sheltering.
				The renewed disaster declaration will continue to support all of these efforts, as well as allow the commonwealth to rapidly scale response efforts and employ new intervention tactics, such as the administration of a vaccine.
				The Department of Health&rsquo;s Department Operations Center at PEMA continues to be active, as is the Commonwealth Response Coordination Center there.
				A Proclamation of Disaster Emergency is effective for a 90-day period unless sooner rescinded or extended by official action of the Governor.

196 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 12 new deaths