The Beaver County Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency in the county on Monday evening after the county received word of its first positive case of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Peter Carbone, superintendent of Aliquippa School District, issued a statement at 11:20 p.m. Monday indicating that the patient is a member of the Aliquippa school community.

BEAVER — It’s here.

A Beaver County resident tested positive for the county’s first case of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, Commissioner Chairman Daniel Camp said Monday evening. The county was notified of the case around 7 p.m.

The Beaver County Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency Monday after Beaver County’s Emergency Management Services office was made aware by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency that the individual tested positive.

Commissioners said they do not have any information on the identity of the individual, their age or gender, where in the county they reside or how they contracted the virus.

"As the board of commissioners, our first and foremost step is ensuring the safety of our residents," Camp said. "This should come to reality to the residents of Beaver County that this is a serious matter. Stay home, stay safe, that’s what we want our residents to do."

However, Peter Carbone, superintendent of Aliquippa School District, issued a statement at 11:20 p.m. Monday indicating that the patient is a member of the Aliquippa school community.

"This information has not been officially confirmed by county, Pennsylvania and federal officials," Carbone said in the statement. "Due to confidentiality consideration, I am not able to share any other details. The Pennsylvania Department of Health will be following its standard protocol to inform the public and the people with whom the patient has been in contact.

"I will keep the community informed as we receive more details from county, Pennsylvania and federal officials."

Carbone added, "Stay calm, stay safe and practice social distancing."

State health officials announced Monday that Pennsylvania has 76 coronavirus cases, but that does not include another one being reported by Allegheny County, which now has six, or the Beaver County case.

There are also 30 cases in Montgomery County, followed by Philadelphia and Monroe County with eight each, Delaware County with seven, Cumberland and Bucks counties with five, Chester County with two, and Lehigh, Luzerne, Northampton, Pike, Wayne and Washington counties with one each.

"As there now is a confirmed case in Beaver County, the Board of Commissioners, in following with the move made by Gov. Wolf earlier throughout the state, is declaring Beaver County to be a disaster emergency county," Camp said. "We urge our residents to follow CDC’s and the PA Department of Health’s recommendations as they pertain to attempting to slow the spread of this virus."

Earlier Monday, Wolf strongly urged, but did not mandate, that non-essential businesses close, including movie theaters, gyms, bars and restaurants. Food establishments, though, can remain open for delivery or takeout service.

Camp said that as a fourth-class county, the board of commissioners doesn’t have the power to mandate that Beaver County’s bars and restaurants close — that would have to come from the state. He and fellow commissioners Tony Amadio and Jack Manning encouraged residents to stay home as much as possible.

"The most important thing we need to do is make sure that our people stay hunkered down in our homes," Amadio said. "It’s hard. But we have to do this. We have to stay home, we have to wash our hands."

Camp asked residents to refrain from coming to the courthouse unless it is absolutely required to do so.

Manning said that courthouse employees who are able to work from home will be instructed to. Amadio said work sessions for the board of commissioners will be canceled.

Most of all, the three men pleaded with residents to stay home.

"We can’t force anyone to stay home, but we ask people to look at big picture of being a good citizen and community member and not go out into public unnecessarily," Manning said. "Please, adhere to those common courtesies."

Camp also reiterated Wolf’s message to not hoard or overbuy food and supplies.

"If you usually go to the grocery store once a week, go once a week," Camp said. "Don’t panic. Just only go out when it’s essential."