93-3-WMR Audio on Demand presents the Preston and Steve show podcast.

And now, Preston and Steve's news update with Kathy Romano.

Today is Thursday, December 3rd.

Good morning, Kathy.

Good morning.

In the news this morning, Dr. Valerie Arcooch, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, offered a sobering assessment of the state's hospitals in the county on Wednesday.

She said almost every hospital in the county is at capacity. It's a similar scenario in medical

centers across Pennsylvania where the number of COVID-19 patients being treated in a hospital

is approaching a record 4,800. Open beds and available staff are quickly dwindling, and unlike in the spring, medical

staff from the National Guard or other states aren't available to help.

Some hospitals like those being operated by Mainline Health had to occasionally divert new

emergency patients since COVID-19 patients are filling their beds.

Meanwhile, the White House Coronavirus Task Force has released its most urgent warning yet to state governors. The warning calls

on people over 65 were those with significant health problems not to enter any public

building where anyone is unmasks. The warnings also emphasize those under 40 should assume

they became infected during the Thanksgiving period if they gathered beyond their immediate household.

The task force warning goes on to advise those over 65 who gathered with extended family over the recent holiday to be tested immediately if they develop any symptoms.

The founder of a Philadelphia skateboarding club has been charged with rape and sexual

assault of two children.

Investigators say 52-year-old Rodney Watkins, founder of the powerful Nellia Skateboarding

Club, allegedly met the children back in 2011 and 2012 when the victims were just 11 and 12

years old.

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