Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 10

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

The Easter Bunny is coming to town, with a little help from Centre County fire companies

Peter Cottontail will be hopping down Centre County bunny trails Saturday to spread some Easter joy.

Children and their families in several municipalities can expect to see the larger-than-life rabbit as fire departments chauffeur the bunny around at a time when most traditional Easter activities were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We wanted to be able to do something for the community. Many people are staying home and this gives us a chance to go to them,” Boalsburg Fire Company Chief Greg Alters said. “We want this to be something they can look forward to and do together — come out and wave at the bunny. (We) also hope to add a little extra happiness in a time when people may not be at the best.”

- by Bret Pallotto

How Centre County churches will celebrate Easter Sunday during the coronavirus pandemic

Christians have gathered in Centre County churches for more than 200 years to celebrate Easter Sunday, but the coronavirus pandemic has altered the longstanding tradition.

Gov. Tom Wolf on Saturday encouraged alternate forms of religious gatherings that do not physically bring people together, so some opted to worship online through livestreams or social media.

Here’s how some churches are approaching the holiest day on the Christian calendar.

- by Bret Pallotto

Community raises nearly $24,000 to feed health care workers while supporting local restaurants

A local fundraising initiative is benefiting two worthy causes at once.

The “Feeding Our Heroes & Supporting Local Restaurants” GoFundMe page started by longtime Centre County residents Karen Walker and Heddy Kervandjian was created only a week ago, but has already raised nearly $24,000 to feed health care workers at Mount Nittany Medical Center while simultaneously supporting locally owned and operated restaurants across the county.

Kervandjian originally came up with the idea for a GoFundMe page to support the two causes after seeing her sister running a similar initiative in Florida.

“She’s sending food to three hospitals in her local area. I’m so impressed with that, and I wanted to (start) that here,” Kervandjian said.

- by Holly Riddle, for the CDT

Pennsylvania now has nearly 20,000 COVID-19 cases, with Centre County adding 2 new cases

Two new cases of the coronavirus were reported Friday in Centre County by the state Department of Health, raising the total number of cases in the county to 61.

There are now 19,979 cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania as of noon Friday, an increase of 1,751 since noon Thursday.

The death toll also rose Friday, increasing by 78 to 416. No COVID-19 deaths have been reported in Centre County.

- by Bret Pallotto

Pennsylvania moves ahead with plan to free some inmates

Gov. Tom Wolf is issuing an executive order Friday to authorize the early release of as many as 1,800 inmates from Pennsylvania state prisons in an effort to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.

The plan is similar to what other states and some Pennsylvania counties have undertaken, and it comes after talks broke down with Republicans who hold a majority in the state Legislature.

Wolf’s office said releasing inmates will save lives, help stop the spread of the virus and avoid overwhelming Pennsylvania’s already-burdened health care system.

- The Associated Press

County and local services

• The Centre County Board of Commissioners launched a new website for information, resources and updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The website will help residents to find resources and stay up to date throughout this crisis,” county administrator Margaret Gray said. The website includes county resources on housing, food, mental health, transportation and more, along with local and national health resources.
• The State College borough released the results of a survey that polled residents’ awareness of COVID-19 and its impact in the borough between April 2-5. Of the 533 residents who responded, about 90% claim to be following the recommended coronavirus mitigation efforts such as effective hand-washing, social distancing and avoiding crowds of more than 10 people always or most of the time. It also showed on of residents’ biggest concerns is the local economy’s ability to recover.

Pennsylvania news

• Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday rolled out a $450 million loan package to help hospitals deal with increased costs and declining revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide capital to meet needs for personnel and equipment. The Hospital Emergency Loan Program, or HELP, will offer loans up to $10 million at an interest rate of 0.5 percent. Applications will be available on the Department of Community and Economic Development’s website starting at 10 a.m. Monday.

Free meal options

• The State College Area School District is offering free meal kits each Wednesday at the High school parking lot for children ages 18 and younger. The weekly meal kits will have enough food for breakfast and lunch for five. days. Families who are interested in the service are asked to place an order by 8 a.m. each Monday by filling out an online form. A limited number of meals will be available on a first-come-first-served basis for those who did not order ahead of time.

• The Moshannon Valley YMCA’s Travelin’ Table mobile kitchen will be at Tudek Park from noon-1 p.m. Friday. A Friday bagged meal and a weekend bag will be available.
• The YMCA of Centre County is continuing to provide free bags of food for children 18 years and younger through its Anti-Hunger program. Drive-thru locations throughout the county and pickup times can be found on the YMCA’s website, as well as how to donate to the program.

• The YMCA of Centre County holds a soup drive-thru for veterans and seniors. The location of the next drive-thru will be posted at www.ymcaofcentrecounty.org/ymca/anti-hunger-program-updates.

Community outreach

• The Giant Co. announced a $250,000 emergency grant program, in partnership with Team Pennsylvania, to support small businesses in Pennsylvania’s food supply chain that have been impacted by COVID-19. Applications are being accepted online through April 24 for any small business involved in growing, making or processing food.

This story was originally published April 10, 2020 at 10:29 AM.