Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 3

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

Ferguson Township police officer tests positive for coronavirus, the township says

A Ferguson Township police officer tested positive for the new coronavirus, the township announced Friday.

It is the first known case of a law enforcement officer testing positive for COVID-19 in Centre County.

The officer has been on leave for the past 16 days, is expected to make a full recovery and return to duty after consulting with their physician, the township said in statement.

- by Bret Pallotto

What to know about Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf’s call for universal masking to prevent the spread of COVID-19

All Pennsylvanians should wear a mask in public to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus, the state’s governor announced Friday.

Staying home is the most effective way to protect against either contracting or spreading COVID-19, but masks could be an added layer of protection, Gov. Tom Wolf and state Health Department Secretary Rachel Levine said.

“Two days ago, I amplified our social distancing efforts by instituting a statewide stay-at-home order, and today I am asking all Pennsylvanians to wear a mask any time they leave their houses,” Wolf said in a statement. “Masks help prevent people from sharing illnesses, but they don’t do a great job at keeping people from getting sick; and they’re not foolproof, so it is critical that our first act is to ask ourselves if we really need to leave our house. If we don’t really, truly need to leave, then we shouldn’t

- by Bret Pallotto

Centre Foundation pledges more than $500,000, expands Centre Gives to help nonprofits amid COVID-19

The Centre Foundation pledged more than $500,000 to support nonprofits, many of which have had to cancel signature fundraisers and events because of the new coronavirus pandemic.

The foundation’s COVID-19 Activating Contributions to Invest in Operations of Nonprofits Fund will open with $375,000, which is earmarked to provide operational and programmatic support to nonprofits.

About $250,000 was provided by the Knight Foundation, while another $125,000 was provided by the Centre Foundation. Details on the distribution of the funds are expected to be released “in the following weeks,” the organization said.

- by Bret Pallotto

Coronavirus cases increase to 32 in Centre County; statewide total surpasses 8,000

Centre County gained four new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 32, according to the state Department of Health.

With 8,420 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania as of noon Friday, the state has seen a 1,404 increase in the number of confirmed cases since Thursday.

Twelve more people have died of the coronavirus, bringing the state total to 102. No Centre County residents have died from the pandemic.

- by Marley Parish

State College senior living community to test all residents and staff for the coronavirus

Juniper Village at Brookline plans to test all of its residents and staff for the new coronavirus to mitigate potential spread among the cohort that is most likely to be hospitalized, its parent company announced Thursday.

Testing started Thursday and is expected to be completed “as quickly as possible,” Juniper Communities wrote in a statement.

“We care for the most frail and susceptible population,” Juniper Founder and CEO Lynne Katzmann said in a statement. “Senior living communities are the first line of defense for 3 million citizens most at-risk for complications and even death from this virus. They and their families rely on senior living to keep them healthy and safe.”

- by Bret Pallotto

Locally owned grocery stores, markets in Centre County adapt to ‘new normal’ from COVID-19

While shoppers rush to the stores for pantry staples to hold them over during times of social distancing and self-isolation, some Centre County retail businesses — particularly locally owned food retailers and grocery stores — are discovering a “new normal” when it comes to keeping their shelves stocked.

Despite changing shopping patterns and demands, though, local markets are adapting.

“Business has doubled,” said Russ Burkholder of Burkholder’s Market in Spring Mills. “Keeping frozen (foods) and groceries stocked has been very challenging.”

- by Holly Riddle, for the CDT

Pennsylvania halting pay for 9,000 state workers

Pennsylvania will stop paying about 9,000 state workers whose offices have been closed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Friday.

The pay freeze affects about 12% of the state workforce, though individual agencies were hit much harder, with the state departments of Transportation and Revenue halting pay to more than half their employees.

About 5,700 of the affected workers are employed by PennDOT. About 900 work for the Department of Labor & Industry, about 850 work for Revenue, and the remainder are scattered across other agencies.

- The Associated Press

Closings/cancellations

• 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.

Health care

• Mount Nittany Health’s medical records office reduced its hours of operation for release of information requests to 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The medical records office is closed to walk-ins until further notice.
• 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.
• 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.

• Pitt’s School of Medicine has developed a potential vaccine against COVID-19, the university announced Thursday. 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

• Penn State’s graduate school on Friday announced an optional grading alternative for the spring semester, similar to the one being offered to undergraduate students. The new system will allow students to keep their letter grade or opt in for a P, if a student eanrs a C or better, which will appear as earned credits on the graduate transcript, or a V or Z for a letter grade D or lower, which will only appear as attempted credits on the graduate transcript. Penn State Law at University Park, meanwhile, will have a mandatory credit/no-credit grading system for the spring 2020 semester.
• Penn State Extension is offering free online courses throughout April to support customers during the coronavirus pandemic. There are more than 55 courses for individuals, families and businesses. Some offer certificates, while others provide continuing education credits. The registration deadline is April 30. Visit extension.psu.edu/onlinecourses for more information.

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 Archangels Church in Clarence from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, selling haluski and pierogies by the dozen. Orders will be packaged and ready.

Outdoor activities

• 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.

• State Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn provided guidance Wednesday on how to safely enjoy the outdoors during the coronavirus pandemic. “Outdoor activities are a great idea to relieve stress and as immunity boosters, but they should not include exposure to high-touch surfaces or other groups of people — we need to spread out,” she said in a statement.

• Centre Region Parks and Recreation Director Pam Salokangas gave a video PSA about avoiding large groups in parks and practicing proper social distancing. Anyone who sees large groups at public parks is asked to call that municipality’s police nonemergency number.

Community outreach

• Volunteers with the YMCA of Centre County’s Anti-Hunger Program are continuing to pack and distribute food for more than 1,000 kids who are now without school throughout the county. Visit https://www.ymcaofcentrecounty.org/ymca/anti-hunger-program-updates/ to find out what and how to donate.

• Kids attending the Essential Childcare Program at the Moshannon Valley YMCA wanted to help out during the pandemic, so they made signs thanking those on the front lines.

• Dave Graham of Graham’s Up in Smoke BBQ in Philipsburg provided lunch on Wednesday for the volunteers of the YMCA’s Anti-Hunger Program at the Moshannon Valley location.

• Rony’s Place Restaurant and Pizzeria in Pleasant Gap is selling produce and other groceries at its 276 W. College Ave location. According to a post on Rony’s Facebook page, the produce is from its food service provider, which had an abundance of produce and suggested that Rony’s sell it.

• Encompass Health (Rehabilitation Hospital of Nittany Valley) thanked its neighbor Rony’s Place Restaurant and Pizzeria for distributing its Stir Crazy Pizza Kits to community members by delivering a signed thank you card and bag of Encompass swag.

Pennsylvania news

• The state Department of Agriculture has waived the requirement that pets are spayed or neutered before being adopted in order to conserve personal protective equipment for human health care workers. Once the pandemic is over, shelters and rescues would have to follow up with new owners, who would have 120 days from the adoption to complete the procedure. Shelters that have state approval can continue adopting pets out during the stay at home order.

• The state Department of Human Services has a support and referral helpline to at 1-855-284-2494 or 724-631-5600 (TTY) to help people who might be feeling scared, overwhelmed or anxious by the pandemic find community-based resources.

• Gov. Tom Wolf and state Department of Health Secretary Rachel Levine recommended Friday that all Pennsylvanians wear cloth masks when they leave their home for life-sustaining purposes. Here’s other highlights of Friday’s press conference:

This story was originally published April 3, 2020 at 10:16 AM.