Today the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced 13 additional positive cases of COVID-19 in the state. There are no new cases in Delaware County. The total number of cases in Delaware County is seven. The total number of cases in the state is 76.
The Delaware County Government Center will be closed to the public on Tuesday, March 17.
Government Center offices will operate with a reduced and staggered staff to ensure the continuity of government, however, the offices will not be open to the public. Residents can call government offices on March 17 but are not able to access the building.
Delaware County Council will hold their Public Agenda Meeting on Tuesday, March 17 at 10:00a.m. and their Public Council Meeting on Wednesday, March 18 at 6:00p.m. as planned.
However, in order to adhere to CDC recommendations of avoiding large gatherings and observing social distancing, the public will not be permitted into the meetings.
Both meetings will be live streamed on the County’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/DelcoPAgov/featured
Residents can email in their public comment. Public comments must be submitted with the same information that is requested at a public meeting including the person’s name and address.
Emails can be sent immediately to: PublicComment@co.delaware.pa.us
Public comment will be accepted until each meeting is adjourned. The public comments will be read into record during the meeting and Council will respond if warranted. If you do not have access to email you can call in your public comment: 610-891-4931. Please give your name, address and public comment. Your comment will be transcribed and read into record. Emailed or phoned-in comments deemed inappropriate will not be read into public record.
The Delaware County Court of Common Pleas suspended all judicial operations on Monday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 17. A Common Pleas Court Judge will be available at the County Courthouse during regular business hours to hear temporary protection from abuse applications on March 16 and March 17. The Delaware County Magisterial Courts will be available, but only to conduct preliminary criminal arraignments and review afterhours temporary protection from abuse requests.
On March 16, 2020 President Judge Kevin F. Kelly relatedly intends to file with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court an application under the Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration seeking authorization to declare a judicial emergency, which if allowed will access various additional authorities to further address this public health crisis and the court’s ability to continue to provide critically essential judicial services.
More details about the operations of the Delaware County Government Center, the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts will be released in the following days.
All Delaware County Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed until further notice.
Governor Wolf ordered all restaurants and bars in Delaware County to close their dine-in facilities at midnight (12:01am March 16) for 14 days to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Businesses that offer carry-out, delivery, and drive-through food and beverage service may continue to do so, but eating and drinking inside restaurants and bars is temporarily prohibited. Businesses that do not adhere to this order could face enforcement actions.
The Department of Community and Economic Development and Department of Health are reaching out to businesses through a letter to provide guidance on the types of businesses that are urged to close. The letter also indicates to businesses that financial assistance opportunities are available to mitigate the financial impact of closures.
More details here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/wolf-administration-orders-restaurants-and-bars-to-close-dine-in-service-in-mitigation-counties-to-stop-spread-of-covid-19/ (link no longer active)
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) is alerting motorists that cash will not be accepted at any interchange statewide beginning March 16 at 8 p.m. This is a temporary safety measure to keep travelers moving with no need to stop at tollbooths or interact with tolling personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, cash and credit cards will not be accepted anywhere on the PA Turnpike’s ticket system. All tolls will be assessed electronically via E-ZPass or the PA Turnpike TOLL BY PLATE program as vehicles travel at posted speed limits through tolling points.
Residents should refrain from going to Emergency Rooms if they have symptoms and want to get tested for COVID-19. Local Emergency Rooms are not testing for COVID-19. If you have symptoms- you should call 911 or 1-877-PA-HEALTH. Emergency Rooms are not testing and we don’t want residents to be in hospitals if it’s not necessary, where they are more likely to contract the virus or other illnesses. If you have another health emergency—then you should go the ER as you normally would.
Right now, the best way to protect yourself is to take the same precautions you would to prevent the flu or common cold:
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze with your elbow to avoid touching your face
Wash your hands often with soap and warm/hot water for at least 20 seconds
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
Clean surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remotes, and other frequently touched items
If you are feeling sick, stay home. Rest, take care of yourself and don’t spread the germs.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you are asked to call the State Health Department at 1-877-PA-HEALTH or 911.
The County has created a website dedicated to information on the Coronavirus, including prevention, resources and a FAQ section with link to the PA Health Department and CDC.
The website is: www.delcopa.gov/ich/resources/coronavirus.html
Residents are encouraged to register for the DelcoAlert notification system which alerts residents of updates and emergencies. You can register here: www.delcopa.gov/delcoalert/delcoalert.html