Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 11

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

Pennsylvania up to 21,655 total cases of COVID-19, as Centre County adds 8 more confirmed cases

Centre County added eight new cases Saturday of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, increasing the total number of cases in the county to 69, according to the state Department of Health.

There are now 21,655 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania as of noon Saturday, meaning 1,676 cases are new. Although cases continue to climb — there were 1,751 new cases Friday and 1,989 Thursday — this marks the seventh straight day that single-day increases have been at or below 15%. (Prior to that, single-day increases had been over 15% for 21 consecutive days.)

The novel coronavirus first appeared in the state March 6, and every one of the state’s 67 counties had at least one confirmed case by April 7. Centre County saw its first case March 20.

- by Josh Moyer

Will Centre County’s biggest summer festivals still go on? Here’s what the organizers said

Organizers for Centre County’s biggest summer festivals — Arts Fest, People’s Choice, Grange Fair — remain hopeful their events will go on as planned as the coronavirus (hopefully) wanes, but cancellations in the future are not out of the question.

Rick Bryant, executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, said a final decision on the 54th edition of the event will come sometime in May. Until then, he’s crossing his fingers that downtown State College will be OK in time for the July 8-12 fest.

“We’re still planning on it,” Bryant told the Centre Daily Times. “We do watch the news, and we’re social distancing just like everyone else. But we’re still hopeful that, by July, we’ll be able to do it. We still have plenty of time to cancel it, too, should the public health situation make that prudent.”

- by Josh Moyer

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 has 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

New unemployment benefits being implemented in Pennsylvania

Gov. Tom Wolf says the state labor department has started sending out expanded federal unemployment compensation payments provided by the coronavirus relief package approved by Congress.

The measure temporarily provides an additional $600 per week and makes self-employed, independent contractors and gig workers eligible for benefits. It also extends unemployment compensation benefits for an additional 13 weeks.

- The Associated Press

Wolf suggests Pennsylvania virus cases could surge next week

Gov. Tom Wolf predicted Friday that Pennsylvania will see a surge in new virus cases next week and implored residents to continue to self-isolate to get the worst of the pandemic behind them and allow the state’s economy to gradually open back up.

“If the surge occurs next week, as we suspect it will, and it’s within the range of the capacity of our health care system, that’s going to allow us to shut this shutdown down fast, faster than if this drags on,” Wolf told reporters on a conference call.

Modeling from the University of Washington suggests that Pennsylvania could hit a peak in hospitalizations and deaths late next week before the numbers gradually drift down through the middle of May. Wolf’s health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, said there won’t be one peak, and that different regions of the state will peak at different times.

- The Associated Press

Business changes

• Giant Co. announced that starting Monday, the Pennsylvania-based supermarket chain will limit the amount of customers who can be in its store at a time. A Giant employee will be stationed at the front entrance to monitor shopper flow, according to a release. when the store reaches capacity, shoppers will be asked to form a line outside while maintaining social distancing. Customers are also asked to limit the size of their shopping party to one member per household as much as possible.

Closings and cancellations

• The Nittany Antique Machinery Association Spring Show and Flea Market held at Penn’s Cave has been canceled, according to the association’s website. The fall show, set for Sept. 10-13, is still on as planned.

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 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

This story was originally published April 11, 2020 at 10:46 AM.