Coronavirus

(NEXSTAR) — If the option to wash hands isn't available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends hand sanitizer is an acceptable back in the sanitation fight against COVID-19.

With the rise in coronavirus cases across the United States, the federal Food and Drug Administration has noted a simultaneous increase in the number of hand sanitizer products being made — but not all of them are made the same, which, in some cases, can be life-threatening.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The mayors of five communities in northeastern Pennsylvania met Thursday, virtually, to talk about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on their communities.

These mayors represent about 300,000 people in total. The goal is simple: work together for the benefit and safety of all of those people.

It was hosted by Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti. She was joined by Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat, Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown, Nanticoke Mayor Kevin Coughlin and Pittston Mayor Mike Lombardo.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -- Governor Tom Wolf sent a letter to the state’s Congressional delegation Thursday, urging the federal government to continue multiple federal unemployment programs that are set to expire at the end of the month.

In his letter, Wolf writes "Without extension, PUA will expire on December 31, 2020, and three-quarters of a million Pennsylvanians will be without any unemployment benefits. This will be detrimental to the livelihood of our commonwealth both socially and economically."

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — Senior isolation can take a serious toll.

The effects of it can result in both physical and emotional difficulties. The holiday season can only magnify those problems.

As the deadline approaches for open enrollment for Medicare, keep in mind there are options that may provide those additional benefits that could prove to be a solution for senior isolation.

"Exercise is important," 70-year-old Bette Wood said.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti confirmed Thursday morning during a virtual meeting that she is in self-quarantine after being near someone exposed to COVID-19.

The person exposed had a family member test positive. 

Mayor Cognetti will remain in self-quarantine until that person receives test results back. Cognetti says CDC guidelines don't mandate that she quarantine, but that she is doing so out of an abundance of caution.

She began her quarantine on Sunday, and is working from her home.

HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine and Dr. Ronald Strony, Co-Chair of Emergency Medicine at Geisinger, discussed the surge hospitals are seeing due to the coronavirus. They also discussed how vaccines will be distributed in the commonwealth.

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — Wilkes-Barre has announced new safety measures in response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

Beginning Thursday, December 3, the Dept. of Public Works headquarters, city fire stations and WBPD headquarters will all be restricted to the public. At city hall, the following safety measures will be in effect:

HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) —The Pennsylvania Capitol Complex will be closed starting December 7th due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, the Department of General Services announced Thursday.

All operations of the Governor's Office and General Assembly will continue, but access to the Capitol Complex will be limited to employees and those with badge keycard credentials.

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — An advisory committee for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that when a vaccine is approved, it should first be made available to healthcare workers and nursing home staff and patients.

It is a recommendation that most say is really a no-brainer. Some describe nursing homes as the epic-center of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MANSFIELD, TIOGA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — Free COVID-19 testing expanded in Pennsylvania Wednesday including in Tioga County where hundreds of cars quickly created long lines.

Testing is taking place at North Penn Mansfield High School, one of the first testing sites to open after the announcement of testing expansion.

"The department of health has expanded its contract with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare to deploy five regional testing strike teams throughout Pennsylvania over the next 12 weeks," Wolf said.