Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 1

We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in Centre County. Check back for updates.

Out of the Cold is serving more people than ever. Donations, solutions sought amid COVID-19 outbreak

Out of the Cold: Centre County secured hotel rooms for 34 guests last week, but area nonprofits, county government and the State College borough are planning for what comes next.

With financial help from the State College and Centre County Government, OOTC3 Program Manager Sarah Potter said 34 members of the area’s homeless population will be staying in hotel rooms around State College through the end of April. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Potter said this will ensure safe and secure housing, but an online fundraiser set to begin this month aims to address future insecurities.

“The real issue is that guests need permanent housing solutions,” Potter said.

OOTC3’s overnight shelter operates out of 14 congregations from mid-October to early May, but with social distancing recommendations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, cots set up in church basements were no longer possible.

- by Marley Parish

All of Pennsylvania now under orders to stay home

Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday placed all of Pennsylvania under an order to stay at home, dramatically expanding the geographic footprint of the quarantine as state officials combat the coronavirus pandemic.

In one stroke, Wolf added 34 counties to his stay-home edict, meaning that residents of all 67 of Pennsylvania’s counties must now stay home as much as possible to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

With coronavirus infections continuing to rise dramatically in the state, with nearly 1,000 new confirmed cases reported Tuesday, Wolf called a statewide quarantine “the most prudent option.”

- The Associated Press

Looking for a job? These companies are hiring in Centre County during the coronavirus pandemic

Pennsylvanians filed nearly 379,000 unemployment claims during the week of March 15, the most in the nation and about double the nearest state.

The state Department of Labor and Industry received nearly 406,000 claims the following week, and has received about 939,000 from March 15-31.

Though unemployment claims are surging, some businesses in Centre County are still hiring.

- by Bret Pallotto

Pennsylvania reports largest single-day increase of new COVID-19 cases; Centre County adds 1

Centre County gained one new case Wednesday of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, increasing the total number of cases in the county to 27, according to the state Department of Health.

There are now 5,805 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania as of noon Wednesday, meaning 962 cases are new. That is the state’s largest single-day increase as of yet; there were 756 new cases Tuesday.

It has been 12 days since the novel coronavirus first appeared in the county.

- by Josh Moyer

Should the NCAA give winter athletes another year? Cael Sanderson, Penn State wrestlers make their case

Two days after the NCAA voted to give Division I spring sports athletes another year of eligibility, but not winter sports athletes, Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson broke his social media silence.

The coach, who hasn’t tweeted since Oct. 21, 2018, when he congratulated former Nittany Lion David Taylor on his world championship, made his thoughts clear about the NCAA’s decision.

“Winter sport student-athletes who lost the opportunity to compete at the NCAA championships need to be given the option of another year of eligibility,” he said Wednesday. “Although complicated, details can be worked out and it’s the right thing to do in the long run.”

- by Lauren Muthler

Community Outreach

• Pittsburgh-based F.N.B. Corp., parent company of First National Bank, announced Tuesday a commitment of $1 million to its foundation in support of COVID-19 relief efforts in its seven-state footprint.
• FirstEnergy Foundation donated $500,000 to 42 food banks and hunger centers, including a $5,000 donation to the FaithCentre Food Pantry in Bellefonte, $5,000 donation to St. Paul Lutheran Pantry in Mill Hall and $10,000 to the State College Food Bank.
• The Corner Room gave away free groceries for community members in need on Wednesday. About 50 bags were set outside the 100 W. College Ave. establishment with milk, eggs, a loaf of bread, a pound of bacon, potatoes and lettuce.
• Champs Downtown tweeted Tuesday that all proceeds from merchandise and 20% of gift card sales will go to staffers.

• The Blonde Bistro in Bellefonte is selling T-shirts promoting shopping local to help with its operational costs during the COVID-19 shutdown.
• Select Sheetz stores, including the 1781 N. Atherton St., 101 Valley Vista Drive, 120 S. Ridge Plaza and 223 Colonnade Blvd. locations in State College, are offering a Kidz Meal Bagz program starting Thursday to help children in families in need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meals will be available all day and include a turkey sandwich, chips and a drink. Families will be offered one bag per child, and meals will be available daily while supplies last. To take advantage of the program, ask an employee at the register.
  
  
• Pleasant Gap-based Mammoth Restoration donated cleaning and sanitation services to local fire companies.

• The Rivet at Discovery Space is helping Penn State prototype silicone gaskets for respirators and contributing to the production of face shields to help equip medical professionals with personal protective equipment.

Coronavirus relief bill

• State College will receive more than $305,000 in initial funding from the $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill that was passed last week, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said Wednesday. Pennsylvania will receive $170.65 million in new funding from Community Development Block Grants and other Department of Housing and Urban Development programs. “I was proud to advocate for Pennsylvania to receive necessary funding to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges it poses for our families and communities,” Casey said in a statement. The funding will “help provide shelter to homeless individuals, increase affordable housing options, develop infrastructure and maintain crucial public services, among other uses.

Health Care

• Mount Nittany Health set up a dedicated COVID-19 hotline available to the community daily from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. daily at 231-7111. For the most up-to-date information, visit mountnittany.org/coronavirus.
• Penn State Health made changes to several financial services to help patients navigate the challenges presented by COVID-19. Among the changes are an enhanced financial counseling services and additional financial counselors and customer service representatives to assist patients and consumers with a variety of new and existing programs.

Penn State

• Penn State will start issuing room and board refunds during the first week of April for students who did not return to campus for the remote-learning period. Refunds for students who departed campus after the start of the remote-learning period will be processed starting April 13

Things to do

• Centre Moves is kicking off its “Get Moving for a Cause” campaign on Friday. Through the campaign, Centre Moves will host a series of popup challenges. The first challenges is to move a mile a day, starting Friday and ending April 16. That movement can include running, jogging, walking, crawling, hiking or biking. The first- and second-place winners will get to direct a $50 or $25 donation to one of Centre Moves’ nonprofit partners. State Health Secretary Rachel Levine says outside activities like walking, jogging and biking are encouraged, as long as there is social distancing.

Pennsylvania news

• State police will not respond to certain calls in person as of Wednesday. Col. Robert Evanchick, the state police commissioner, said the new policy aims to limit troopers’ contact with the public and slow the spread of COVID-19. Calls for lost and found items, littering, identity theft and general requests to speak to a trooper will be resolved “with limited or no on-scene response,” police said in a statement. State police will continue to respond to emergencies and crimes in progress. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms or has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 is asked not to enter a police station and to call instead. Those who visit a station are reminded to maintain social distancing.
  
  
• Courts in the state will remain closed through April 30 after the state Supreme Court extended the statewide judicial emergency. Under the order issued Wednesday, president judges are allowed to declare judicial emergencies in their districts through May 31. When the court first declared the emergency last month, Centre County’s president judge followed suit locally.

• A second inmate at Phoenix state prison in Montgomery County has COVID-19, Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said Wednesday. The Associated Press also reported that four state prison staffers are infected, said Wetzel, who declined to reveal where they work.

• Gov. Tom Wolf granted an extension for Pennsylvanians to apply for license to carry firearm permits due to the closures of some county courthouses and sheriff’s offices. Permits expired on March 19 or later have been extended to May 30.

• Pennsylvania’s state-owned liquor stores resumed limited online sales Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf confirmed during his daily press conference. The state’s website is accepting a “controlled number” of daily orders but plans to expand as it develops more capacity, The Associated Press reported. Buyers will be limited to six bottles per order from a list of about 1,000 wine and spirits products, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced.

Closures/cancellations

• Bishop Mark L. Bartchak, of the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese, announced the closure of all church buildings in the diocese to the public and prohibition of outdoor activities on parish properties until further notice. Public masses were suspended March 17.

• Fullington Trailways LLC is suspending all daily departures throughout Pennsylvania and New York state from April 2-30, in accordance with Gov. Wolf’s stay-at-home order.

This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 12:38 PM.