NEW CHARGE HATS OFF Johnstown man faces first-degree Spring sports student-athletes murder count in 2015 slaying. A3. from Penn Cambria recognized. B1. © Serving Greater Johnstown since 1853 MAY 27, 2020 WEDNESDAY $1.50 NEWSSTAND State seeing ‘decrease in cases’ Reports of Wolf to COVID-19 shed light virus lowest on green since March phase BY RANDY GRIFFITH [email protected] BY JOHN FINNERTY For the second day in a row, CNHI STATE REPORTER there were fewer than 500 new cases of COVID-19 reported HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom in Pennsylvania in Tuesday’s Wolf said Tuesday the state will Department of Health update. provide clearer guidance later Although reports collected this week on specific guidelines on weekends have shown lower for the 18 counties entering the numbers due to reduced test- green phase of reopening on ing, the new-case report hasn’t Friday. been under 500 since March Also Tuesday, Wolf declined 25 – which was also the day the to say whether or when the state’s total COVID-19 cases state will allow high schools to first topped 1,000. hold commencement exercises There are now 68,637 total this summer. confirmed cases in Pennsylva- As the state relaxes its restric- nia, including 451 additional tions on gatherings, Wolf said positives reported Tuesday. The he is planning to hold his first report added 13 new deaths, in-person press conference on pushing the state total to 5,152 THOMAS SLUSSER/THE TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT Friday since the pandemic hit. virus fatalities. U.S. Postal Service letter carrier Stan Niton wears a protective face mask as he sorts through the mail while delivering on his route Friday in Richland Wolf said that he would allow There were no additional Township. See gallery at www.TribDem.com. Centre County to join the group cases or deaths reported in local of counties with relaxed busi- counties. ness restrictions this Friday. Current totals are 57 cases Wolf, last week said that the and two deaths in Cambria state had been willing to move County, 37 cases and no deaths Postal carrier: ‘People rely on you’ Centre County into the green in Somerset County, 37 cases phase, but that county commis- and two deaths in Bedford sioners there had asked to be County and 48 cases and one withheld from the green phase. death in Blair County. Pandemic can’t stop mail delivery; demand up due to home shopping Monday, the Centre County “We continue to see a commissioners reversed course decrease in cases statewide, BY JOSHUA BYERS before and after a shift with a bleach and he said, that’s the only human interaction and said they wanted to move [email protected] water solution. He carries hand sanitizer an individual might get in a day, especial- into the green phase and Wolf Please see CASES, A2 and disinfectant wipes with him on the ly while the stay-at-home order was in said the state would include U.S. Postal Service letter carrier Stan route. place. them in the green phase coun- Niton said those living along his Richland Anyone he encounters is asked People have been leaving notes ties. Township route have been appreciative of to remain six feet away. of thanks, candy and cookies in In addition to Centre More the fact that he is still showing up, day in “No matter what we do, the box before Niton drops off the and day out, despite challenges during the the Postal Service puts such an mail – or they open windows and Please see GREEN, A2 coverage: COVID-19 pandemic. emphasis on safety,” he said. doors to thank him for what he QThe latest numbers/A2 He wears a mask – something he’s had Niton said he’s the one constant does. QState officials continue to get used to – protecting not only him- in some people’s lives, and that “People rely on you, even for investigating fraudulent self but also others. means the world to him. He takes pride in simple things like cards from relatives,” he Seeing blue applications for Pandemic “These customers are your family,” delivering the mail, because he knows the said. Unemplyment Assistance/B3 Niton said. customers depend on the service. Other shipping agencies have also The Tribune-Democrat’s Blue Q Cancellations/B6 Wearing masks isn’t the only precau- Niton said it means a lot for him and taken extra precautions to prevent the Edition honors and celebrates Q Meals/B6 tion he and his coworkers have taken. his fellow letter carriers to be able to talk all essential workers. Every day, Niton cleans his vehicle with people on their routes. Sometimes, Please see DELIVERY, A2 Conemaugh nurses ‘adjust’ to new role BY RANDY GRIFFITH the region’s first cases were [email protected] confirmed. “I kind of slid into the role,” Chris Schreyer has been a she said. “I always do whatev- Conemaugh Memorial Med- er is asked. It was challenging, ical Center nurse for 33 years running three units.” Alyssa Vogel and has been nurse manager In mid-April another man- in several units. Education: Windber Area ager was assigned to the ICU, Noelle Shay graduated last leaving Schreyer with the trau- High School, 2016. year from Conemaugh School Where do you work? ma step-down and COVID-19 of Nursing and joined the hos- units. Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center pital staff in July. at Windber. “I believe the Conemaugh Neither gave it a second team has done fabulous with Department: Environmen- thought when their duties tal Services. this process,” she said. “It’s began to include COVID-19 been all hands on deck.” Time of service: 11 the members of our community. patients in late March. months. As a health-care worker, I am “As nurses we adjust,” Shay Area of expertise: Wind- ‘Take on every thankful to be there to help pre- said. “Whatever is handed to SUBMITTED PHOTOS ber Professional Building. vent the spread. us, we can take care of them.” challenge’ What are your Community of resi- Shay was working in the Nurse Chris Schreyer says she Conemaugh nurse Noelle Shay The COVID-19 unit includes thoughts/concerns about dence: Windber. Ashman wing at Memori- “kind of slid” into taking care of says part of her job is to be a sup- both ICU and non-ICU working through the al. That unit normally has its COVID-19 patients at Conemaugh port system for the patient. patients, she noted. COVID-19 crisis? Health Care Heroes is a Memorial Medical Center. One of my biggest concerns share of both patients with “They all work together and project of The Tribune-Dem- respiratory conditions and we have to be that support for really create a fabulous pro- regarding the COVID-19 would be ocrat and local medical cen- the patient. It’s just them and all of the unknown factors. Also, those who require isolation. So “At first, obviously, it was cess,” Schreyer said. “They ters to spotlight individuals when the COVID-19 isolation pretty scary,” Shay admitted. us and the doctors.” know what to do to take on I am worried about the health of working in health-related Schreyer was covering the my family and friends as well as unit was set up in the adjacent “But at the end of the day, every challenge that is given.” fields. Rose wing, Shay was among the patient is looking to you intensive care unit and the those assigned. for comfort. 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Here are some • Luzerne: 2,672 positives, 9,963 negatives statistics on COVID-19 statewide and in our region: (135 deaths) Statewide data: • Chester: 2,454 positives, 11,045 negatives • Negative tests: 339,835 (252 deaths) • Positive tests: 68,637 • Monroe: 1,305 positives, 5,264 negatives • Deaths: 5,152 (99 deaths) • Recovered: 61% Percentage of cases by age group: Southwestern counties: • Ages 0-4: <1%. • Cambria: 57 positives, 3,321 negatives • Ages 5-12: <1%. (2 deaths) • Ages 13-18: 2%. • Somerset: 37 positives, 1,579 negatives • Ages 19-24: 6%.