Health - Bensalem Township

State and County Officials Cautiously Optimistic on COVID-19 Reports as ‘Surge’ is Expected

Published

6 years ago

April 13, 2020

Over the weekend state and county officials remained cautiously “hopeful” social distancing and mitigation efforts were having positive effects on flattening the curve of coronavirus cases The optimism was despite deaths of three elderly persons living in health facilities continuing to increase daily.

Healthcare workers and residents of congregate living facilities continue to be leading victims of the coronavirus, which has been detected in 30 such facilities across the county, Dr. David Damsker, director of the Bucks County Health Department, said.

The county death toll now stands at 38 with yesterday’s reported deaths and a total of number of 507 lives have been lost due to the outbreak statewide.

Eight-six county residents are hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19, 24 of them in critical condition and on ventilators. A total of 191 people have been confirmed to have recovered from the virus to date.

Bucks Officials pointed to the decreasing number of new cases reported over the last few days as trend for optimism.

“This is working,” Damsker said of the social distancing measures in effect across the state with characterizing the small sample size as “encouraging” by county officials.

State Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said today that the state has “been able to bend the curve” of new COVID-19 cases, but cautioned that it is too early to start considering lifting the social distancing measures that appear to be helping to slow the virus.

Levine pointed to previous trending in which the number of new cases confirmed daily.

“We were seeing a doubling of new cases approximately every two to three days. It was going up in almost like a straight line.”

Now, Levine said, we’re not seeing as many new cases as we had before. The tentative conclusion is that we have been able to bend that curve.

State officials have been warned of a so called expected “surge” of new cases but said said in comparison “it won’t be a tidal wave that will completely overwhelm our healthcare system,” Levine said.

Levine said she expected the new surge of cases “the next week or more” in eastern Pennsylvania followed by other parts of the commonwealth thereafter.

Levine said discussion for a progressive, region-by-region opening of the state are ongoing, but “now is not the time. We have been successful in flattening the curve, but we still have significant new numbers of COVID-19 and we have to protect the public’s health and save lives.”

Statewide just under 23,000 people have tested positive for the virus, with just over 102,000 testing negative for the illness.

Center for Disease and Control Prevention reports 525,704 with 20,486 in the United States and its territories as of Monday morning.

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Health - Bensalem Township

Tackle Spring Break Travel Prep with GIANT Pharmacists

Published

6 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.