Health - Bensalem Township

Bucks Deaths due to COVID-19 Double, County Virtual Briefing Cancelled Due to Tech Issues

Published

6 years ago

April 1, 2020

Three more Bucks County residents who had COVID-19 died, doubling the county’s number of deaths from the virus to six, as of Wednesday morning.

Two of deaths were men, one in his 90s, the other in his 80s; the third was a woman in her 60s. all with chronic underlying health conditions, county officials said.

Two were diagnosed with coronavirus after they died, Bucks County said.

Thirty-one more county residents tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total cases to 319. 29 are hospitalized, nine in critical condition, as of today.

“We continue to express our sympathies to the families in these cases,” Dr. David Damsker, director of the county’s health department, said of today’s fatalities. He said the deaths have followed the predicted trend that older people with chronic health issues are the most susceptible to severe symptoms from the virus, and therefore need the most protection.

Damsker said the new cases continued to demonstrate little community spread, meaning that cases whose source of infection was not known were people required to work in essential jobs or who had traveled out of the area.

“I do think that the social distancing is beginning to work,” he said.

Statewide, 4,963 Pennsylvanians have tested positive for COVID-19, with 37,645 negative results. At least 63 people have died as Governor Tom Wolf extended Stay-at Home orders for seven more counties; Cameron, Crawford, Forest, Franklin, Lawrence, Lebanon, and Somerset were added to the amended order.

Just under half of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties-33- are now under the stay-at-home order that was extended by the Governor to April 30 earlier this week.

Morrisville Borough was added to list of municipalities of having at least one confirmed coronavirus case, health officials said.

Wolf also announced President Trump’s approval of part of his request for a major disaster declaration, which would make funds available to reimburse state, county and local government expenses from the COVID-19 response.

Those governments, along with eligible private non-profits, can be reimbursed for up to 75 percent of eligible expenses, including overtime pay, materials and equipment purchases. The declaration also provides federal materials and supplies to support state and local response efforts, county officials said.

Meanwhile, Wednesday’s virtual press briefing with Bucks officials was cancelled after experiencing technical issues.

County Spokesperson Larry King said that Zoom and Facebook were having connectivity issues.

“We hope to resolve the issue in the near future and reschedule.”

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Health - Bensalem Township

Tackle Spring Break Travel Prep with GIANT Pharmacists

Published

5 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Jeff Bohen

After a long winter, many people are now looking ahead to spring break travel. Whether your plans have you headed to the beach or traveling abroad, GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists are available as a resource with pre-travel health consultations and over-the-counter product suggestions.

“The same way you may enlist the expertise of a travel agent when booking your vacation, your local GIANT or MARTIN’S pharmacist also has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to ensuring you have the right vaccinations or health essentials ahead of your trip,” said Nick Koch, director of pharmacy and wellbeing, The GIANT Company. “From pre-health travel consultations to offering recommendations for the best sunscreens and first aid basics, don’t overlook the value that our team of pharmacists can bring to your vacation preparations.”

If your spring break plans have you traveling aboard, GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists can also get you adventure ready with a pre-travel health consultation approximately as soon as travel dates are confirmed and a minimum of one month before you leave. This includes vaccines, prescription referrals, and over-the-counter medications.

Vaccines^* include but are not limited to yellow fever vaccine (available at select locations), typhoid vaccine and cholera vaccine. Prescription referrals include malaria prevention, traveler’s diarrhea prevention and care, motion sickness prevention and altitude sickness prevention. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit https://giantfoodstores.com/pages/pharmacy-services.

GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists advise that any prescription medication should always be packed in one’s carry-on bag, never in checked luggage, and preferably in the original container with the prescription label affixed. Be sure to bring enough for your trip as well as extra should there be any travel delays.

Travelers are also encouraged to pack a small first aid kit for on-the-go use. This should include bandages of various sizes, gauze pads, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, tweezers and a thermometer. Be sure to add over the counter pain relievers, antacids, decongestants, hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes, too. Additional items may be needed based on one’s destination and weather.

Health - Bensalem Township

Still Winter: NWS Issues Tuesday Morning Winter Weather Advisory

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

staff

March “comes in as lion” to the Lower Bucks area as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter weather advisory for Tuesday morning forecasting a mixed precipitation event making for possibly slippery road conditions.

The advisory is in effect from 5 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 3.

NWS says total snow accumulations less than one inch and ice accumulations around a light glaze in portions of southeast Pennsylvania and central, northern, and northwest New Jersey.

The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning commute, officials say, and motorists should plan on slippery road conditions. Motorists are reminded to slow down and use caution while traveling.

Health - Bensalem Township

Bucks Issues “Code Blue” Until March 3rd Due to Forecasted Bitter Cold

Published

4 days ago

March 1, 2026

staff

Bucks County has issued a “Code Blue” declaration as bitter cold is set to return for the start of March.

Shelters in Upper, Central and Lower Bucks will be in operation nightly Sunday through Tuesday morning.

The following shelters have been activated for this Code Blue event:

Lower Bucks – ahtn.org
(3/1)
Calvary Baptist Church – Gym
250 Green Lane
Bristol, PA 19007
www.calvarybristol.org

(3/2)
Morrisville Presbyterian Church
771 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Morrisville, PA 19067
www.mpcusa.org

Please note the Lower Bucks shelter location changes Monday evening to Morrisville Presbyterian Church.

Guests are required to leave the shelters by 6:45 a.m. each day and may return in the evening

Upper Bucks – facebook.com/upperbuckscodeblue
Quakertown Masonic Lodge – First Floor
501 W. Broad Street
Quakertown, PA 18951

Central Bucks – co2ssh.org
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
301 N. Main Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
www.doylestownlutheran.org

Guests are required to leave the shelters by 6:45 a.m. each day and may return in the evening.

The Upper and Lower Bucks shelters will open at 8:30 p.m. The Central Bucks shelter opens at 7:30 p.m.

The county issues a “Code Blue” declaration when temperatures are forecast to drop below 20 degrees for two or more consecutive days. A “Code Blue” may be called amid higher temperatures, as consideration is also given to wind chill, precipitation and other circumstances.

Information about “Code Blue” openings is available Monday – Friday through the County’s Housing Link Helpline at 1-800-810-4434.