iradiophilly | News - PA Health Secretary Issues New COVID-19 Guidance; 20yo Shot/Killed; 800 Nurses Strike in Bucks Co

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PA Health Secretary Issues New COVID-19 Guidance; 20yo Shot/Killed; 800 Nurses Strike in Bucks Co

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 11/17/20 1:39 pm | updated: 11/17/20 1:39 pm

Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine announced updated guidance in the fight against coronavirus COVID-19 on Tuesday afternoon, 11/17. She noted that models suggest Pennsylvania hospitals will run out of beds in December and urged heath-care systems across the state to work together and prepare for that possibility, including deciding on the urgency of elective surgeries. Due to the rapid increase of new positive daily cases, Levine proposed several new restrictions.

- Anyone visiting Pennsylvania or returning to Pennsylvania, must test negative within 72 hours before entering the state or they must quarantine for 14 days upon arriving. This does not apply to those who travel over state lines for work or medical reasons. These are self-enforced policies, but the overall recommendation is to not travel.

- You now must wear a mask whenever you are near people indoors or outdoors, including when people outside your household are in your own home.

- Colleges and universities must implement testing and quarantine procedures as students come and go from upcoming holiday breaks.

SEE ALSO: Wolf Administration COVID-19 Announcements: Protecting The Health Care System, New Traveler Testing Order, Strengthened Masking Order, Recommendations For Colleges And Universities

Philadelphia Police are investigating after a 20-year-old man was shot and killed in Center City on Monday night, 11/16. It happened around 6:30 p.m. near 15th and Market Streets. Police say that the man was sitting on a yellow dirt bike near the Clothes Pin statue across from City Hall. The gunman got out of a white hatchback vehicle and chased the victim on the sidewalk while firing 11 shots. The victim was hit in the face, neck, and chest. He was rushed to the hospital where he died a short time later. The suspect got back into his car and drove south on 15th. He was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and white sneakers. He is 5' 6" to 5' 9". Police believe this was a targeted attack, but do not know the motive at this time. If you have any information, call police at 215-686-TIPS.

UPDATE: Police have identified 21-year-old Khaleaf Sistrunk as the man who was shot and killed on Monday night in Center City.

Almost 800 nurses walked off the job at Saint Mary's Medical Center in Langhorne, Bucks County on Tuesday morning, 11/17. The strike is being organized by the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals. Nurses say they are looking for a fair contract, better wages and for their patients' safety. They also say that staffing levels have been a big issue. "The nurses feel they have no other means of making Trinity listen than to strike -- for themselves, for their patients, and for what is coming over the next several months," PASNAP said in a statement.

St. Mary's released a statement, "Unfortunately, the November 12 bargaining session between St. Mary and PASNAP ended without an agreement, and PASNAP rejected increased wage offers made by St. Mary on November 13. The bargaining unit members will go ahead with their planned strike on November 17 and while we are disappointed at their decision to strike, we recognize their legal right to do so. While they strike, St. Mary is laser-focused on ensuring we continue to provide care for our community, especially in light of the pandemic's trajectory -- case counts, hospitalizations, and community transmission have all increased in our region. Qualified, professional agency nurses have been hired to provide care during the strike in collaboration with the remainder of our exceptional clinical teams; they are experienced and skilled in working with COVID+ and all patients needing healthcare services. The hospital will schedule returning strikers beginning on November 22, to allow a safe transition in patient care from replacement nurses back to St. Mary nurses. St. Mary remains committed to bargaining in good faith to reach agreement on a fair, consistent and sustainable initial contract for St. Mary nurses, and we hope negotiations will resume in the near future."