Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 12

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

Drive-in service brings Julian congregation together for Easter while social distancing

Dozens of vehicles filled the Brookside Wesleyan Church parking lot Sunday morning as parishioners attended a very different kind of Easter service amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Pastor Mike Fisher said the church’s first ever drive-in service, featuring a sound system and broadcast on an FM radio frequency provided to parishioners, “inspired my heart.”

For the past few weeks, the church has been posting its services on Facebook, where Fisher has also posted daily devotionals from his tree stand. But members were able to worship together for the first time since COVID-19 precautions were put in place, all while abiding by social distancing restrictions and not leaving their vehicles.

-by Abby Drey

Centre County adds 1 coronavirus case; Pennsylvania up to 22,833 total cases

Centre County added one new case of the coronavirus Sunday, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 70, the state Department of Health reported.

There are 22,833 cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania as of noon Sunday, an increase of 1,178 since noon Saturday. The total rose by 1,676 from Friday to Saturday. Of those infected, 2,087 are currently hospitalized with 644 currently on ventilators. The county had two COVID-19 patients on ventilators as of noon Saturday, according to a state Department of Health database.

-By Jon Sauber

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 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

Lemont publishing company donates books to keep kids reading while in self-isolation

A local publisher is doing its part to keep kids reading during self-isolation. Lemont-based Eifrig Publishing has made its collection of children’s books available for free, offering e-books on its website, as well as physical copies of the books through school meal pick-up programs within both the State College Area School District and the Bellefonte Area School District.

Penny Eifrig started Eifrig Publishing in 2006, not necessarily looking to found a small indie publishing house, but only to publish a few manuscripts for her family members.

“Without really any immediate intent, I started getting inquiries for publishing just awesome books that were empowering for kids and really align with my ideals. Somehow it just started blossoming. I have over 100 books now,” Eifrig said.

-by Holly Riddle, for the CDT

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.

Free meal options

• College Pizza, 128 Locust Lane, State College, will give away free cheese pizzas from 3-5 p.m. Monday.

• 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 12, 2020 at 8:49 AM.