Elkland driver slightly hurt in one-vehicle crash…PA residents urged to take precaution as heat wave continues…..state positivity rate continues to increase….. https://soundcloud.com/gerri-miller-611294886/black-forest-broadcasting-podcast-august-13-2021
Thursday’s high, 85; Overnight low, 61; .53″ of rain
FRI-THUNDERSTORMS, HIGH 87
FRI NIGHT-THUNDERSTORMS, LOW 63
SAT-EARLY THUNDERSTORMS, HIGH 80
SAT NIGHT-CLEARING,LOW 53
SUN-SUNNY, HIGH 79
SUN NIGHT-CLEAR, 58
An Elkland driver was slightly hurt in a one-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon in Clymer Township, Tioga County. According to Mansfield state police, 19 year old Ian Clark was headed south on Route 349 when the right rear corner of his Chyrsler 200 collided with a guard rail while making a left hand curve. The car left a three foot long paint transfer mark, re-entered the highway and began to slide across the southbound lane into the northbound lane, then back into the southbound lane before going off the west side of the highway. The car then traveled up an embankment for 126 feet before coming to rest in a dry drainage ditch. Clark did not require transport to a medical facility for treatment of a minor injury.
As record-high temperatures and heat watches and warnings exist across the state today and tomorrow, Governor Tom Wolf is asking all Pennsylvanians to heed advice to stay informed, aware and take precautions against heat-related illnesses. Temperatures in the 90s, combined with high humidity, can lead to dangerous, even deadly conditions.The Wolf Administration is urging all Pennsylvanians to take steps to keep themselves and their loved ones, including pets, safe from potentially deadly heat-related illnesses. Infants and children, older adults, and people suffering from illness may be less able to respond to extreme temperatures and taking certain medications can affect how one’s body responds to heat.
All Pennsylvanians are urged to follow these safety tips to avoid heat-related illnesses:
Drink plenty of water and do not wait until you are thirsty to drink more fluids;
Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar, as they can cause dehydration (loss of body fluids);
Stay indoors in air conditioning as much as possible – this is the best way to protect against heat-related illness and death;
Avoid long periods in the direct sun or in unventilated rooms;
If you must be outside in the heat, reschedule activities for cooler times of the day, and try to rest often in shady areas;
Dress in light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses – and use a sunscreen of SPF15 or higher;
Take frequent baths or showers and remain in a cool place;
Check on those who might be more at risk from high temperatures like infants, children, or older individuals; and
Never leave your children or pets inside vehicles.
The most common heat-related illnesses are heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. Warning signs include extreme body temperature, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness and confusion. If you or loved ones develop heat stroke symptoms, get medical assistance right away. Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and fainting.
Pennsylvania’s network of Area Agencies on Aging, a resource for seniors or their caregivers to find senior centers acting as cooling centers if needed.. Older adults looking for heat-related support such as an open senior center or other cooling station in their community should contact their local Area Agency on Aging for assistance.
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) offered simple #WaysToStayCool tips to help residents stay comfortable, conserve energy and keep their bills manageable.
Fan Yourself – Fans circulate the air, keeping you feeling cooler, even at higher temperatures.
Follow the Shade – Relax in rooms that do not receive direct sunlight.
Block the Heat – Use window blinds and coverings at the sunniest time of day to reduce unwanted heat buildup.
Don’t Add Extra Heat – Postpone using heat-producing appliances, such as clothes dryers, dishwashers and stoves until it is cooler.
Check your Thermostat – The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill.
Clean is “Green” – Clean and replace air conditioner filters regularly and make sure air circulation paths are clear.
Power Off – Turn off non-essential appliances and lights to reduce power use and unwanted heat.
Don’t Cool Unneeded Space – Close off unused rooms and adjust air vents or thermostats to avoid unnecessary cooling expenses.
The PUC notes that hot and humid weather can prompt PJM – the region’s power transmission organization – to issue “Hot Weather Alerts”, preparing utilities and generation operators for conditions that could stress the power grid and working to ensure that resources are available to meet energy demands. The PUC is in close communication with grid operators, utilities and other key stakeholders during these types of weather event continues to actively monitor utility systems across the state.
Employer/Employee Related Resources
For those who are working, employers should have a heat-illness prevention program in place that ensures workers receive plenty of water often and take frequent rest and shade breaks, trains workers to recognize symptoms of heat-related health effects, and monitors workers for signs of illness. The Department of Labor & Industry has various heat-related workplace safety resources available for employers, including a document on heat related injuries that provide guidance on working safely in higher temperatures.
Livestock and Pets
Heavy panting, slobbering, lack of coordination or anxiousness are all signs of an animal in distress. Know these signs but do everything you can to prevent this stress for both livestock and domestic pets.
Livestock and pet owners should take appropriate precautions to protect their animals from high temperatures that can cause them to suffer from heat-related stress and illness. Provide shade and water, postpone procedures such as vaccines or hoof trimming until weather is cooler, avoid unnecessary transportation, never leave pets in a hot car, and take pets for walks in early morning or late hours.
If you suspect animal abuse or neglect and would like to report it, you should contact your local humane society police. In the absence of local police, contact the Pennsylvania State Police. Pennsylvania dog wardens do not have jurisdiction over animal cruelty.
Emergency Management
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has been working closely with county emergency management officials to monitor conditions. Many counties will post information on their websites or social media accounts as cooling centers open and close.
Anyone who needs specifics can call their county emergency management agency, keeping in mind that a closer location may be in a neighboring county rather than the one where they reside.
For more information, visit Ready.PA.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed that as of 12:00 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 12, there were 2,089 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,243,932.
CAMERON 221
ELK 1602
McKEAN 2951
POTTER 1102
TIOGA 2627
ALLEGANY (NY) 3618
CATTARAUGUS(NY) 5863
There are 908 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 224 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19.
The trend in the 14-day moving average number of hospitalized patients continues to increase again. Statewide percent positivity for the week of July 30 – Aug. 5 stood at 5.4%.The most accurate daily data is available on the website, with archived data also available.
As of 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11, there were 16 new deaths identified by the Pennsylvania death registry, reported for a total of 27,941 deaths attributed to COVID-19. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
According to the CDC, as of Wednesday, Aug. 11, Pennsylvania ranks 5th among all 50 states for total doses administered.
According to the CDC, as of Wednesday, Aug. 11, 63.9% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
Vaccine providers have administered 11,827,114 total vaccine doses as of Thursday, Aug. 12.
5,793,625 people are fully vaccinated; with 21,392 vaccinations administered yesterday and a seven-day moving average of more than 14,700 people per day receiving vaccinations.
The department continues to urge Pennsylvanians to follow CDC guidance for wearing a mask where required by law, rule and regulations, including healthcare, local business and workplace guidance. For the protection of themselves and others, individuals who have not yet been vaccinated or are partially vaccinated are still encouraged to wear a mask when in public. CDC also recommends all individuals wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high
In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there have been a total of 72,641 resident cases of COVID-19 to date, and 15,709 cases among employees, for a total of 88,350 at 1,603 distinct facilities in all 67 counties. Approximately 29,621 of total cases have been among health care workers.
All Pennsylvanians age 12 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.
A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.