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Pennsylvania Department of Health

News
22 'Probable' Cases Of Lead Poisoning In PA Linked To Applesauce Recalled By FDA: Officials 22 'Probable' Cases Of Lead Poisoning In PA Linked To Applesauce Recalled By FDA: Officials
22 'Probable' Cases Of Lead Poisoning In PA Linked To Applesauce Recalled By FDA: Officials The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported 22 "probable" cases of lead poisoning to federal regulators, a spokesperson told Daily Voice.  The 22 "probable" cases and one "suspected" case are linked to cinnamon applesauce pouches that have been recalled by the Food and Drug Administration, DOH said.  The affected products were:  WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches – including three packs Schnucks-brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety pack Weis-brand cinnamon applesauce pouches FDA officials said Thursday, Feb. 29 that the lead and chromi…

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by Mac Bullock
News
WORLD'S FIRST: Legionnaires' Transplants Kills 1 In PA, CDC WORLD'S FIRST: Legionnaires' Transplants Kills 1 In PA, CDC
World'S First: Legionnaires' Transplants Kills 1 In PA, CDC Pennsylvania is making history – for the wrong reason – with the first known cases of Legionnaires' disease in organ donations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A bacteria that can cause the deadly lung disease – commonly known as Legionnaires' – has been found in two Pennsylvania lung transplant patients. The transplants were given by a single donor in Philadelphia in May 2022, according to a CDC release on Friday, Sept. 15.  The Pennsylvania Department of Health was notified in July 2022 and the patients learned they had the disease in June.  …

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by Jillian Pikora
News
PA Patient Has Deadly Flesh Eating Bacterial Infection, Health Dept. Says PA Patient Has Deadly Flesh Eating Bacterial Infection, Health Dept. Says
PA Patient Has Deadly Flesh Eating Bacterial Infection, Health Dept. Says A Pennsylvania resident has a confirmed case of a deadly flesh eating bacterial infection that recently left three people dead in Connecticut and New York. The patient is believed to have been diagnosed with vibrio vulnificus after visiting another state, the Pennsylvania Department of Health told Daily Voice. The infection occurs after consuming raw shellfish or swimming in brackish water, which may be the reason why the PA DOH determined they picked up the infection outside of Pennsylvania. The patient's name, age, and sex, along with the timeline of when the patient contracted Vibrios…

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by Jillian Pikora
Schools
1st Monkeypox Case Reported At Central Pennsylvania Elementary School 1st Monkeypox Case Reported At Central Pennsylvania Elementary School
1st Monkeypox Case Reported At Central Pennsylvania Elementary School Someone who was recently at a central Pennsylvania elementary has tested positive for monkeypox, authorities announced on Thursday, Oct. 6.  The Cumberland Valley School District made an announced of to parents on the Shaull Elementary School website.  In the letter, the administration explains that personal communication has already been made with “anyone believed to have been in close proximity with the individual.” “We share this information not to cause alarm, but simply in an effort to ensure transparency in what we know,” the message reads. The school’s custodial staf…

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by Jillian Pikora
News
Philadelphia Care Home Resident Died After Cleaning Wipe Found Lodged In Trachea, Lawsuit Says Philadelphia Care Home Resident Died After Cleaning Wipe Found Lodged In Trachea, Lawsuit Says
Philadelphia Care Home Resident Died After Cleaning Wipe Found Lodged In Trachea, Lawsuit Says The mother of a 50-year-old woman who died days after she was found in a pool of urine with a cleaning wipe was lodged in her trachea, has filed a lawsuit against the Philadelphia home where her daughter lived for most of her life. The lawsuit alleging gross negligence filed by lawyers from Stark & Stark PC, and the Pepper Law Firm, LLC, indicates that a staff member at Merakey-Woodhaven placed the six-inch wipe in Cheryl Yewdall's throat. The oldest of four children, Yewdall Cheryl lived at the Merakey’s Woodhaven site for approximately 40 years. She was severely disabled and requ…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
2 PA Nursing Facilities Falsified Records In 2 Conspiracy Schemes: USDOJ Indictment 2 PA Nursing Facilities Falsified Records In 2 Conspiracy Schemes: USDOJ Indictment
2 PA Nursing Facilities Falsified Records In 2 Conspiracy Schemes: Usdoj Indictment Five individuals and two for-profit nursing facilities in Pennsylvania have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh in connection to two conspiracy schemes, authorities say.  Brighton Rehab and Mount Lebanon Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, along with the following people were indicted on 15 counts, US Attorney Cindy Chung and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced on Tuesday, August 9: Sam Halper, 39, of Miami Beach, Florida. Eva Hamilton, 35, of Beaver. Susan Gilbert, 61, of Lawrence. Michelle Romeo, 46, of Hillsville. Johnna Haller, 41, of Monaca. The I…

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by Jillian Pikora
News
First Case Of Monkey Pox Reported In Pittsburgh First Case Of Monkey Pox Reported In Pittsburgh
First Case Of Monkey Pox Reported In Pittsburgh The first case of monkeypox has been reported in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, June 29, according to the Pennsylvania department of health.  The person who tested positive has their primary care physician at Central Outreach Wellness Center in Pittsburgh’s North Shore, according to the release. The total number of cases in the state of Pennsylvania now stands at five as the first cases were reported in Philadelphia on June 2, according to the state's department of health. Monkeypox treatment and vaccines are available at the center, according to the release. Anyone who may have been expos…

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by Jillian Pikora
Police & Fire
Dementia Patients Were Sexually Abused At PA Nursing Home And 2 Workers Failed To Act: AG Dementia Patients Were Sexually Abused At PA Nursing Home And 2 Workers Failed To Act: AG
Dementia Patients Were Sexually Abused At PA Nursing Home And 2 Workers Failed To Act: AG A pair of nursing home employees were arrested on accusations they failed to report a male resident who sexually assaulted three female dementia patients in a suburban Philadelphia facility, authorities said. The Landing of Southampton General Manager Ashley Harker and Director of Health and Wellness Joy Alfonsi were notified of the incidents in the facility's memory care unit by staff members on July 22, 24, and 26, PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. Alfonsi and Harker assured the staff that they would handle the situation and told the witnesses not to document or report the incidents …

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by Cecilia Levine
News
PA Parents Sue Over Child Scarred From Dog Attack While Trick-Or-Treating: Complaint PA Parents Sue Over Child Scarred From Dog Attack While Trick-Or-Treating: Complaint
PA Parents Sue Over Child Scarred From Dog Attack While Trick-Or-Treating: Complaint A central Pennsylvania child was allegedly attacked by a neighbor's dog while trick-or-treating, according to a lawsuit filed by the child's parents. Ashley and Jesus Zarate say their child suffered injuries while trick-or-treating at their neighbor Beth Bachman' home, according to a lawsuit filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County on Jan. 18. Zarates took their daughter A.Z. trick-or-treating at Bachman's home in the 100 block of East Pine Street in Ephrata but they claim no one answered the door instead-- as they walked away, she let her dog outside on Oct. 31, 2021, accordi…

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by Jillian Pikora
Police & Fire
Double-Deadly Hepatitis A Outbreak Shuts Suburban Philly Italian Restaurant: Report Double-Deadly Hepatitis A Outbreak Shuts Suburban Philly Italian Restaurant: Report
Double-Deadly Hepatitis A Outbreak Shuts Suburban Philly Italian Restaurant: Report A Hepatitis A outbreak that left at least two dead and nine infected closed a suburban Philadelphia Italian restaurant, Fox29 reports. One death has been confirmed and a second was under investigation at West Norriton's Gino's Ristorante & Pizzeria, the outlet said. A total of 11 cases were reported, according to 6abc and CBS Philly. The exact source of the infection was not immediately known. Gino's says it is cooperating with the investigation and the news is a "shock." "In the recent events of this past week, we are truly devastated and heartbroken for anyone affected by the Hepat…

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by Nicole Acosta
Police & Fire
COVID-19: First Omicron Case Reported In Montgomery County COVID-19: First Omicron Case Reported In Montgomery County
Covid-19: First Omicron Case Reported In Montgomery County The first case of the Omicron COVID-19 variant has been detected in Montgomery County, health officials announced Friday. The person is in their 20s and lives in Whitpain Township, the county health department said in a news release. It wasn't clear when they tested positive, when they last traveled, or if they were vaccinated. The department said it is coordinating with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The news has prompted health officials to warn all Montgomery County residents to take precautions, "given the possibilit…

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by Nicole Acosta
News
PA Health Secretary Resigning At End Of Year PA Health Secretary Resigning At End Of Year
PA Health Secretary Resigning At End Of Year Pennsylvania's acting Health Secretary Alison Beam will step down at the end of the year, according to a release by Gov. Tom Wolf's administration. "I am proud to have worked with Acting Secretary Beam over the past several years, and the commonwealth has been fortunate to have had the benefit of her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic – especially as the Department of Health oversaw a massive vaccine roll-out over the course of the past year," Gov. Wolf said in the statement. "Thank you to Governor Wolf, his leadership team, and the incredibly dedicated Department of Health employees,"…

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by Jillian Pikora
News
COVID-19: Philadelphia Resident Tests Positive For Omicron Variant COVID-19: Philadelphia Resident Tests Positive For Omicron Variant
Covid-19: Philadelphia Resident Tests Positive For Omicron Variant UPDATE (8:30 p.m.):  New Jersey officials announced the first detection of the Omicron variant in the state just hours after this report was published. CLICK HERE to read "COVID-19: First Case Of Omicron Variant Reported In New Jersey" *** (4:55 p.m.): A day after the first case of the new COVID-19 variant was identified in a Minnesota man who traveled to New York City, a Philadelphia resident has tested positive for the Omicron COVID-19 strain. The person is a man in his 30’s from Northwest Philadelphia, the city's health department announced Friday. It was unclear when he tes…

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by Nicole Acosta
News
Pennsylvania Hospitals Filling Up With 2K+ COVID-19 Patients, DOH Says Pennsylvania Hospitals Filling Up With 2K+ COVID-19 Patients, DOH Says
Pennsylvania Hospitals Filling Up With 2K+ Covid-19 Patients, DOH Says The Pennsylvania Department of Health is reporting staggering data on the state of coronavirus case.4,391 additional positive COVID-19 cases were reported in 24 hours, as of Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 12 a.m. This brings the statewide total to 1,329,111. There are 2,010 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and of that number, 496 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. The state says the 14-day moving average number of hospitalized patients is increasing. Statewide percent positivity for the week of Aug. 27 – Sept. 2 stood at 8.2%. 38 new deaths were reported as Tuesday, Sep…

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by Jillian Pikora
News
Pennsylvania Department of Health Facing Class Action Lawsuit For Contract Tracing Data Breach Pennsylvania Department of Health Facing Class Action Lawsuit For Contract Tracing Data Breach
Pennsylvania Department of Health Facing Class Action Lawsuit For Contract Tracing Data Breach The Pennsylvania Department of Health is now the target of a class action lawsuit, along with Insight Global, following a data breach of contact tracing files, according to court documents. Over 72,000 Pennsylvanians had their data leaked, according to a statement by Insight Global on April 29. The lawsuit claims the Department of Health and Insight Global knew about the breach at the end of February but didn’t take action until the end of April. Both organizations are accused of negligence, according to the lawsuit filed Thursday. The leak included names, phone numbers, address, COVID-1…

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by Jillian Pikora
News
Pennsylvania Child Playing With Rabid Bat Gets Bitten Pennsylvania Child Playing With Rabid Bat Gets Bitten
Pennsylvania Child Playing With Rabid Bat Gets Bitten A child playing with a rabid bat in Allegheny County was hospitalized after being bitten by the animal, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The bat was captured on Monday in Pitcairn, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) east of Pittsburgh, and later tested positive for rabies. An investigation by the PA DOH revealed that at least three other children might have passed the bat around and were possibly also bitten by it. Health officials have contacted the parents of three children and said that any other parents who believe their child encountered the bat should call the Health D…

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by Jillian Pikora
News
CDC, FDA Call For Pause On Johnson & Johnson Vaccine CDC, FDA Call For Pause On Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
CDC, FDA Call For Pause On Johnson & Johnson Vaccine The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Food and Drug Administration are calling for a pause on the use of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine due to six cases of "rare and severe" blood clot cases reported. All six cases occurred among women between 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination, FDA officials said in a joint statement. More than 6.8 million doses of the one-dose vaccine had been administered in the U.S. All Pennsylvania teachers and administrators were given the J&J vaccine. Out of the 200,000 offered the vaccine a…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Pennsylvania Surpasses One Million COVID-19 Cases Pennsylvania Surpasses One Million COVID-19 Cases
Pennsylvania Surpasses One Million Covid-19 Cases The state of Pennsylvania surpassed a million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic on Thursday, March 25. The Pennsylvania Department of Health added 3,623 cases bringing the statewide total to 1,000,240 at noon. The state reported 41 new deaths for a statewide total is the statewide total to 24,917. The state says 4,614, 946 vaccine shots have be administer with 1,624,667 Pennsylvanians being fully vaccinated. The state has over 12 million residents. The DOH says nearly 10% of all adult residents have been vaccinated.  Gov. Tom Wolf tweeted about the state's vaccination per…

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by Jillian Pikora
Lifestyle
IT'S OFFICIAL: Dr. Rachel Levine Confirmed As U.S. Senate's First Openly Transgender Official IT'S OFFICIAL: Dr. Rachel Levine Confirmed As U.S. Senate's First Openly Transgender Official
IT'S Official: Dr. Rachel Levine Confirmed As U.S. Senate's First Openly Transgender Official The former Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine was confirmed Wednesday as the US Assistant Health Secretary --  making her the first openly transgender federal official confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Wednesday's 52-48 vote broke down along partly line with only two exceptions, Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine. Pa. Senator Republican Pat Toomey did not vote to confirm Dr. Levine. Toomey says, "Levine Has Not Earned a Promotion to Help Lead HHS” “In Pennsylvania, the pandemic struck seniors in nursing homes disproportionately h…

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by Jillian Pikora