Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 2

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

Megabus, Fullington Trailways discontinue all services in Pa. amid statewide shutdown

After suspending all trips to and from New York City last week, Megabus has discontinued all services in Pennsylvania.

Following Gov. Tom Wolf’s statewide stay-at-home order on Wednesday, the bus company announced all trips in the state have been canceled through April 30. The closure will begin Saturday.

“With customer and employee safety as our top priority, we continue to regularly sanitize our buses and operate them in a manner that allows for appropriate social distancing,” the company said on its website.

- by Marley Parish

COVID-19 was ‘nail in the coffin’ for State College eatery, owner says

Mike’s Wood Grill and Bar, formerly known as Luna 2, closed in March after about 10 years in business.

The attrition of the Nittany Mall and hiring difficulties were among the reasons for the closure, majority owner Bill McFadden said Thursday, with the challenges presented by the new coronavirus being the “proverbial nail in the coffin.”

McFadden hoped to continue operating through at least Penn State football’s Blue-White weekend, which generates about $1.4 million across all business industries, and commencement.

The university, however, canceled the Nittany Lions’ annual spring practice game and postponed commencement in March to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

- by Bret Pallotto

When could Penn State football’s next season start? Here’s what AD Sandy Barbour said

Penn State Athletic Director Sandy Barbour said Thursday that for the fall football season to start on time, players would ideally report to campus by July 7, and if their return is further delayed, she is not opposed to moving the football season to spring 2021.

As the nation’s response to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, continues to evolve, Barbour emphasized that the athletic department will adapt and adjust. But, she added, any future decisions the athletic department makes will be based on medical and scientific evidence and with student health in mind.

“We’re not coming back to campus whether it’s students or student-athletes — they’re not coming back to campus until it’s safe and healthy and prudent to do so,” she said during a face-to-face conference call with reporters.

- by Josh Moyer

State College’s Summers on Allen postponed due to coronavirus

The summer pedestrian plaza for State College will not happen this year as planned, organizers announced Thursday.

Centre Foundation and Groznik PR, the two organizations heading Summers on Allen, announced that the project has been canceled for summer 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Sponsored by the Knight Foundation, Summers on Allen planned to close the 100 block of Allen Street to vehicle traffic from May 11 to July 3, transforming it with outdoor seating, landscaping, a play area and performance stage.

In a statement, Brad Groznik, of Groznik PR, Molly Kunkel, executive director of Centre Foundation, and Rob Schmidt, director of the Downtown State College Improvement District, said the decision to postpone was made “due to the unpredictability and the seriousness of the current health crisis.”

- by Marley Parish

Centre County coronavirus cases continue to rise as Pennsylvania reports 1,211 new cases

Centre County gained one new case of the coronavirus Thursday, raising the total number of cases in the county to 28, the state Department of Health reported.

There are 7,016 cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania as of noon Thursday, an increase of 1,211 since the previous day. That is the state’s largest singe-day increase yet; there were 962 new cases Wednesday.

Sixteen more people died of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 90. No Centre County residents have died of COVID-19.

- by Bret Pallotto

After Pa. stay-at-home order, changes are in store for programs that feed Centre County kids

With Pennsylvania K-12 schools closed until further notice, area districts and local nonprofits have altered their lunch distribution plans to ensure kids are fed amid the statewide stay-at-home order.

Next week, the State College Area School District will switch to a weekly meal distribution program to help limit public activity while the stay-at-home order is in effect through April 30. Distributions will take place Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the SCASD High School North parking lot, according to a release from the district.

Families will receive a five-day allotment of breakfast and lunches to accommodate each child. Each meal kit will include five servings for each child, along with vegetables, fruits and milk. Children must be present in order for meals to be provided.

- by Marley Parish

Deadline looms for Pennsylvania virus-shutdown waivers

Pennsylvania businesses are running out of time if they want an exemption from Gov. Tom Wolf’s shutdown order as state health officials on Thursday reported more than 1,200 new cases of COVID-19.

Wolf ordered all “non-life-sustaining” businesses to shutter their physical locations until further notice to help slow the spread of the coronavirus but established a waiver process for companies that believe they should be exempt.

The Wolf administration announced a deadline of 5 p.m. Friday for waiver applications, prompting an outcry from small-business advocates who said the deadline was premature and would create additional hardship for struggling employers.

- The Associated Press

Mount Nittany Health continues COVID-19 testing, with result turnaround time ‘still too long’

Mount Nittany Health has collected upward of 300 of COVID-19 tests as of Wednesday, the health care system’s chief medical officer said, with result turnaround time showing improvement.

Anyone in the State College-based health care system who needs to be tested for the new coronavirus can be, and the organization has no intention of limiting who may be tested, Mount Nittany Health Chief Medical Officer Nirmal Joshi said.

“Whoever needs to be tested based on (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines and the clinical judgment of our providers gets tested,” Joshi said.

- by Bret Pallotto

State College hospital has its first inpatient COVID-19 case, Mount Nittany Health says

Mount Nittany Medical Center is treating its first inpatient that is positive for the new coronavirus, the health care system said late Wednesday night.

The test results were confirmed Wednesday evening, a spokesperson said in a statement.

“I want to emphasize that we have been preparing for months for this situation,” Mount Nittany Health Chief Medical Officer Nirmal Joshi said in a statement. “Guided by our rigorous adherence to (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) procedures and protocols and the expertise of our Mount Nittany Health staff, proper protocols are in place for the patient’s care, and our facilities continue to be safe for our employees, providers and patients. The health and safety of our community, patients and staff is our highest priority.”

- by Bret Pallotto

Centre County Catholic churches directed to close in the wake of Pa. stay-at-home order

Public masses have been suspended at Catholic churches across Centre County since March 17, but Wednesday’s statewide stay-at-home order and concerns about COVID-19 have led to the closure of all church buildings.

Bishop Mark Bartchak, of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, issued the new directives on Wednesday, which include prohibiting outdoor activities on parish properties until further notice. Bartchak instructed parishes that all church doors should be locked effective immediately.

“Bishop Bartchak considers the latest directives necessary and appropriate to minimize social interaction and to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” diocese spokesman Tony DeGol wrote in a release. “The directives come on a day when Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf issued a statewide stay at home order, which means residents should stay at home and not go out unless it is necessary.”

- CDT staff reports

Health care

• A new fund has been established to support Mount Nittany Health’s response to the coronavirus. The COVID-19 Response Fund, established by Mount Nittany Health Foundation, will be used to provide patient care, including testing, medication, supplies and staff support. The fund is designed to provide aid as needs are identified. Gifts can be made at foundation.mountnittany.org/give (select COVID-19) or by phone at 234-6777.
• Pitt’s School of Medicine has developed a potential vaccine against COVID-19, the university announced. The researchers are applying to the Food and Drug Administration for an investigational new drug approval. Human clinical trials could start in a few months.
• Penn State Health has opened a location in State College where community members can donate supplies to help fight coronavirus. The site, at Benner Pike Clinic (303 Benner Pike, Suites 1 and 2) will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. For information on what to donate, click here.

Closings/cancellations

• 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.
• Grice Gun Shop in Clearfield announced Thursday it is temporarily closing, citing the amount of customers who travel from across the state and beyond. Because of Gov. Tom Wolf’s stay-at-home order, they are unable to accept more wholesale or retail orders at this time, but will continue shipping existing orders as possible.

Service changes

• Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority added temporary recycling drop-off locations while the curbside pickup program is suspended. A list of locations and acceptable materials can be found on CCRRA’s website.

• The Centre Area Transportation Authority set up a website to track real-time schedule information at realtime.catabus.com. That information can also be accessed on the myStop mobile app. CATABUS service is operating Monday-Friday only, from 6 a.m.-8 p.m.

Food truck locations

• Scott’s Roasting will be at Tractor Supply on Benner Pike on Fridays and Saturdays through May. The truck plans to open at 10:30 a.m. each day. A closing time has not yet been determined. Scott’s will be serving pulled pork sandwiches with choice of cabbage slaw, barbecue and horseradish sauce. Barbecue pork nachos, homemade macaroni salad and chips will also be available.
• Rosie’s Pierogies will be at Queen of Archangel’s Church in Clarence from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, selling haluski and pierogies by the dozen. Orders will be packaged and ready.

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 took action against 13 non-life-sustaining businesses that failed to comply with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order to close their physical locations, PSP reported Thursday. In total, action has been taken against 136 businesses since the order went into effect on March 23. Troop G, which includes Centre County, had one warning Wednesday and 17 total. Troop G has given the third-most warnings, following Troop H with 19 and Troop A with 21.
• Gov. Tom wolf updated his list of life-sustaining businesses Wednesday to include electric power generation, transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution, water sewage and other systems, among other changes. Pennsylvanians have a deadline of 5 p.m. Friday for waiver applications to request an exemption from the order. The full updated list is below:

Community outreach

This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 2:55 PM.