The Health Department is not doing that, he said. He recommends staying with paper death certificates, he said. Haunted Pennsylvania: Is a mobster’s tortured soul facing eternal damnation in Easton restaurant? What’s different about the COVID-19 crisis, though, is the severity of the risk in not catching all positive cases. As of 12 p.m. Oct. 12, 2020, the Pa. Department of Health reports that there are 173,304 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. On Tuesday, the department reported another spike, from 1,204 to 1,564 deaths. Kiessling said he’s spent much of the last month in conversations with … Last updated August 12 at 12:08 p.m. *** All counties are in “yellow” or “green” status pursuant to the latest guidance published by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Pennsylvania has had to remove hundreds of coronavirus deaths from its official death count this week, following questions of accuracy and highlighted Wolf says ’targeted’ mitigation possible as 2,063 more cases reported, Backpage is gone, but a more graphic version is again fueling prostitution busts in the Lehigh Valley, Dave & Buster’s set to open in Whitehall: Take a sneak peak inside, With shortage of volunteers at crisis level, some Lehigh Valley fire departments let members live in firehouses rent free, Allentown School District to remain virtual through January because of rising COVID-19 numbers, Lehigh Valley High School Football Scores. Eliezer Montano-Lopez, 46, of Allentown, died at 10:55 p.m. at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Fountain Hill, the coroner reports. Subscribe to PennLive. HARRISBURG — Twice in the last week, Pennsylvania’s official COVID-19 death count spiked. “There are other countries that if you had a pre-existing condition and let’s say the virus caused you to go to the ICU and then [you] have a heart or kidney problem — some countries are recording that as a heart issue or a kidney issue and not a COVID-19 death,” she said at the coronavirus task force briefing on April 7. To determine which bodies to test, VandePol has been using information she learns from a family, like whether they knew of a fever, shortness of breath, or a cough. “We realize that this category can be confusing, since it does change over time,” Levine told the outlet. Kiessling said he’s spent much of the last month in conversations with the Health Department about whether that’s been happening. “These are physicians on the front lines, in ICUs,” VandePol said. You're logged in to Facebook. WILLIAMSPORT – The Lycoming County coroner is accusing the state Health Department of “Monday morning quarterbacking deaths” in connection with the coronavirus. Sullivan County Coroner Wendy Hastings also is puzzled why the state attributes one death in that county to COVID-19. Allentown police said anyone with information can call the criminal investigations division at 610-437-7721 or submit a tip through Tip411 on the departments website, www.allentownpa.gov/police. “I’m not a conspiracy theory guy. Because death data are coming from multiple sources, Levine said, the department’s numbers may not match those of the coroners. Quality local journalism has never been more important. Coroners are particularly well suited to handle these investigations because they have “boots on the ground” already, said Kiessling. Read our editorial standards. state data now includes probable cause deaths. They don’t call the Department of Health.”. “The ideal would be that we would test everyone,” she said. Arrest Records Search ; Court Records Search ; Death Records Search ; GIS Maps Search ; Inmate Search ; Marriage Records Search ; Property Records Search ; Tax Records Search ; Warrant Search ; All Public Records Wardle, however, later retracted the statement to align with Levine’s announcement. He plans to ask the state for information because he said as far as he is concerned Lycoming County has had no deaths. You also agree to our. In both cases, Levine said the surges reflected deaths that occurred days, even weeks, in the past. “We realize that this category can be confusing, since it does change over time,” Health Secretary Rachel Levine said. We need your support. As we work to move regions from red to yellow, we use confirmed data to base decisions. Then, on Wednesday, Wardle backtracked, saying that although probable deaths had been added to the reporting systems as of April 13, the day before federal guidance changed, they weren’t included in the state’s official count until Tuesday. Pennsylvania Health Department officials had included in their count “probable” coronavirus deaths in cases where they believed the virus was the cause of death but did not have confirmation from a positive test result, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. “I’m not saying there’s something going on… I’m not a conspiracy theory guy. Construction began. Some coroners, like VandePol, have started to acquire diagnostic kits — which they say they need to test people who died in their homes or outside of a hospital — but the Department of Health is recommending that they use them sparingly. Kiessling said he’s been checking in with coroners across the state every few days. Public Records Search. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. “Those are the only changes that we’ll be making,” she said. Many doctors and others responsible FOR issuing death certificates have not been trained to use the system and the middle of a pandemic is not the time to learn, he said. At the same time, the state’s coroners — tasked with investigating suspicious deaths — have grown increasingly frustrated by the Health Department’s reluctance to seek their help. We don’t scare everyone to death.”. Eliezer Montano-Lopez, 46, of Allentown, died at 10:55 p.m. at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Fountain Hill, the coroner reports. “No,” Levine responded. She does not know of anyone testing positive in that county let alone dying, she said. Scott Applewhite / AP Schumer Urges FBI Director To Ignore Growing Biden Scandal, Warns Investigation Could 'Undermine the Rule of Law', Andrew Harnik / Pool / AFP via Getty Images US Officials: Iran Sent Threatening 'Proud Boys' Emails to American Voters. RELATED: Health Official Who Pushed for Lockdown Caught Breaking COVID Rules. HARRISBURG — Until late last week, Dr. Christina VandePol, the coroner in Chester County, said, she had to turn to local hospitals if she wanted to test a deceased person for the coronavirus. They’ve built relationships with physicians, county officials, and first responders, and can properly communicate with families, track community spread, and build an accurate death count. That’s a concern.”. “We jumped in four deaths according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health overnight,” Carman explains. Levine later said she would contact coroners next week, giving the department time to understand ‘the different nuances’ of the issue.”, “This is why I’m so upset,” Kiessling added. Charles E. Kiessling Jr., who also is president of the Pennsylvania State Coroners Association, voiced his opinion Tuesday when asked if he had any information on the two COVID-19 deaths in the county as reported by the Health Department. “If we’re not testing the people who die at home, we might be missing … their family. And he said he is working with funeral homes, crematories, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to plan for a possible surge. No person having served as coroner in Pennsylvania prior to the effective date of this act shall be required to attend instructions or pass this examination if reelected or appointed subsequent to the effective date of this act. Tap here to add The Western Journal to your home screen. Ann. County coroners typically don’t get involved when someone dies of natural causes at a hospital or nursing home.