{"id":27009,"date":"2020-04-30T15:31:37","date_gmt":"2020-04-30T19:31:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=27009"},"modified":"2020-04-30T15:31:40","modified_gmt":"2020-04-30T19:31:40","slug":"covid-19-update-april-30-state-case-load-stabilizes-county-cases-continue-to-grow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=27009","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 Update, April 30: State case load stabilizes, county cases continue to grow"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Mike McGann<\/strong>, Editor, The Times<\/em> @mikemcgannpa<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>New cases of the COVID-19 virus continued bounce up and down statewide \u2014 up slightly on Wednesday \u2014 as Pennsylvania seems to be more in a plateau than a true decline \u2014 although Chester County has seen four straight days of higher numbers; meanwhile, state Labor and Industry Department officials are offering tips for those trying to navigate the state\u2019s unemployment system.<\/span><\/p>\n

The state Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday that it recorded 1,397 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the state\u2019s total to 45,763. DOH updated the fatality total with 97 new deaths, raising the number to 2,292.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once again \u2014 possibly for the seventh straight day \u2014 DOH officials offered pretty much the same exact, word-for-word advice to state residents, albeit sound counsel for this pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs we see the number of new COVID-19 cases continuously change across the state that does not mean we can stop practicing social distancing,\u201d Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. \u201cWe must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families and our community. If you must go out, please make as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but others. We need all Pennsylvanians to continue to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our health care workers and frontline responders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Chester County Health reported 73 new cases, representing the fourth straight day with an increase in cases. The death toll increased by nine, for a total of 111 so far.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elsewhere in state-related COVID-19 news, L&I officials offered tips for people to work through an admittedly challenging process for residents to file for unemployment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Noting a historic surge in people seeking unemployment compensation<\/span><\/a> (UC), Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak offered six tips, Thursday, to help Pennsylvanians more quickly receive unemployment benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA little over a month ago, life changed drastically for all of us due to the difficult but necessary mitigation efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania,\u201d Oleksiak said. \u201cI know this has been hard for businesses and workers, many of whom have never had to file for UC benefits before. We have made progress in meeting the historic demand for unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania but know more must be done. I share your frustration and want to help you navigate our complex UC system more easily.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Since mid-March, nearly 1.7 million Pennsylvanians have filed for regular UC and new federal laws made big changes to increase payments for many people and made other workers eligible for those benefits for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over $3.6 billion in benefits has been paid to claimants \u2013 nearly $2.7 billion from regular UC and $911 million from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program (extra $600 per week).<\/span><\/p>\n

Before the pandemic, Pennsylvania had low unemployment with a near record number of people working and the UC office was appropriately staffed for those conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few of the steps Oleksiak said L&I has taken so far to improve customer service:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Nearly 900 L&I staff working on the UC program are teleworking \u2013 with 500 of these employees being reassigned from other agencies to help<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>70 experienced UC retirees have returned to work<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>More than 250 new hires will bolster the system<\/span><\/p>\n