Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 15

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

Rockview State Prison employee tested positive for COVID-19, Pa. Department of Corrections says

A Rockview state prison employee reported they tested positive for the new coronavirus, marking the first COVID-19 case in any correctional facility that operates in Centre County.

Eleven employees and inmates at either Rockview or Benner state prison tested negative, according to the state Department of Corrections.

No Centre County Correctional Facility inmates have tested positive for COVID-19, county Commissioner Mike Pipe said.

- Bret Pallotto

Drive-thru food distribution sites expand to fill increased need across Centre County

Cars lined up hours in advance on Wednesday to wait for free groceries from a new drive-thru food distribution site at Calvary Church.

The line at the church, located at 150 Harvest Fields Drive, started forming in the early afternoon for a food distribution available to all. It’s one of the latest efforts to help feed Centre County families struggling as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We know that lots of people are struggling right now because of loss of income, and we’ve gotten requests for food,” Calvary Church Community Impact Director Kendra Gettig said in a statement. “We thought this would be a good way to help folks.”

- by Marley Parish

GOP seeks to relax Pa. business shutdown

The GOP-controlled Pennsylvania General Assembly sent Gov. Tom Wolf a bill on Wednesday that would force him to allow some businesses to reopen during the pandemic, but its fate was unclear.

The Senate approved the legislation on a party-line vote, sending it to Wolf’s desk for his signature.

Wolf hasn’t explicitly said that he would veto it, although his health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, wrote to senators Wednesday to warn of the bill’s “devastating” impact on the administration’s ability to slow the spread of the virus.

The Senate also amended a House-passed bill that would give county commissioners the authority to reopen businesses locally.

Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Benner Township, said the measures “would provide some much-needed clarity and common sense to the process of deciding which businesses can safely operate.”

- The Associated Press

Powerful GOP allies propel Trump effort to reopen economy

Leading Republicans say the coronavirus shutdown cannot go on. Car-honking activists swarmed a statehouse Wednesday to protest stay-home restrictions. Capitol Hill staff are quietly drafting bills to undo the just-passed rescue aid and push Americans back to work.

Behind President Donald Trump’s effort to accelerate re-opening the U.S. economy during the pandemic is a contingent of GOP allies eager to have his back.

“It’s very much time to start having that conversation and start figuring that out,” said Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., who has shared his views with Trump.

Toomey said there are segments of the economy, particularly in rural Pennsylvania, “that could be open today.”

- The Associated Press

‘Strong possibility’ of hate crimes against Asian Americans happening in Pa., state police say

No hate crimes targeting Asian Americans have been investigated by state police during the coronavirus pandemic, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t happening, a lieutenant said Tuesday.

Law enforcement nationwide have reported an increasing number of crimes targeting Asian Americans due to “misinformation,” Heritage Affairs Commander William Slaton said.

The novel coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China, and some, including President Donald Trump, have called the coronavirus the “Chinese virus” or the “Wuhan virus.” But Asian Americans are not responsible for the disease’s emergence or spread.

- by Bret Pallotto

Pennsylvania reaches 26,490 total cases of COVID-19, as Centre County adds 2 more confirmed cases

After back-to-back days without a positive case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, Centre County added two new cases Wednesday to boost its total to date to 72 overall, according to the state Department of Health.

There are now 26,490 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania as of noon Wednesday, meaning 1,145 cases are new. Although confirmed positive cases continue to climb — there were 1,146 new cases Tuesday and 1,366 Monday — this marks the sixth straight day that single-day increases have been at or below 10%. (Prior to that, single-day increases ranged between 12% and 100% for 34 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

Pennsylvania news

• The state Department of Revenue is offering taxpayers increased flexibility, additional time to meet tax obligations and a pause on several standard enforcement actions to help provide relief to Pennsylvanians and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday. The temporary relief for taxpayers will remain in effect through at least July 15. Specific details can be found on the Department of Revenue’s COVID-19 information page.

• Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman announced Wednesday a new COVID-19 Response Task Force for Health Disparity that will help communicate issues on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting minority and vulnerable populations in Pennsylvania. The goal of the task force is to prepare recommendations to the governor that will address the short- and long-term consequences of the pandemic on those communities.

• Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine signed an order Wednesday directing protections for workers who are providing critical in-person services at life-sustaining businesses. The protocols include requiring all employees and customers to wear masks and maintain proper social distancing by leaving 6 feet between employees and limiting meetings to no more than 10 people.

• The Department of Labor and Industry maintains a COVID-19 jobs portal for life-sustaining businesses. The information will be updated on a daily basis. Businesses in the portal must be defined as life-sustaining and have more than 10 job openings.

Stimulus check

• The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service launched the “Get My Payment” website Wednesday for people to track the status of their economic impact payment. About 80 million people are expected to receive their stimulus checks Wednesday from the coronavirus emergency relief bill.

Funding opportunities

• The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that more than 1 million loans for a total of $247.5 billion through 4,664 participating lenders nationwide have been approved through its Paycheck Protection Program. In Pennsylvania, 36,604 loans were approved for $9.9 billion. As part of the CARES Act, the PPP is designed to incentivize small businesses to keep workers on payroll. The SBA will forgive loans if employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll rent, mortgage interest or utilities. Borrowers can apply through any SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union or participating Farm Credit System institution.
• Samuel Adams has so far raised more than $2.7 million in its Restaurant Strong Fund, which is now open to bar and restaurant employees in 20 states, including Pennsylvania. To qualify, applicants must have worked at least 30 hours per week and be employed for three months or longer at the same location. Apply here.

Penn State

• Thanks to funding from a seed grant initiative led by Penn State’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, $2.25 million has been awarded to 47 teams of researchers from three campuses, eight colleges and more than 25 departments to shift their research programs to address the COVID-19 health crisis. The areas of research include diagnostics and detection, therapeutics and vaccines, transmission-blocking interventions, predictive modeling, social sciences cohort studies and community support.

Community outreach

Things to do

• In lieu of the annual Blue-White Game, Penn State Athletics announced it will be hosting a virtual tailgate from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday. Fans are encouraged to host their own virtual tailgates, wear white and interact with exclusive content across Penn State football digital channels. Fans can register their virtual tailgates here for the chance to have a member of the coaching staff, former student-athletes or the Nittany Lion mascot join in on their video conference.
• Penn State Extension will host a webinar focusing on virtual local government operations. “Pennsylvania Legislation Update: How Local Governments Can Now Conduct Business” will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday.
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is holding a national small business town hall at noon Friday. Register for the online event here.

• The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Pennsylvania Chapter, is offering a free webinar on legal and financial planning on Thursday. Visit alz.org/crf to register.

• Pennsylvania 4-H is offering new in-home activities to keep children engaged. The Inspire Kids to Do Home Activities program encourages self-learning using household items. Projects will be added throughout the month.

Municipal updates

• State College Mayor Ron Filippelli gave another video update on issues concerning COVID-19 and the borough’s response. He addressed several issues brought up in the recent residents survey, including concerns about Penn State students and the stay-at-home order, out-of-state visitors and what people should do who are experiencing coronavirus symptoms. The borough has a coronavirus dashboard where people can see how the virus has affected municipal services and what community resources are available.

Closings and cancellations

• The Coaches vs. Cancer of Penn State Golf Tournament was canceled Wednesday. Organizers hope to bring the event back next spring. The 10th annual Race Day Soiree, which was scheduled for May 2, has been rescheduled for Aug. 29. The dates for the Fall 5K Walk/Run and Real Men Wear Pink breast cancer research and services fundraising campaign have yet to be determined.

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.

• 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.

• The Moshannon Valley YMCA’s Travelin’ Table mobile kitchen will be at Tudek Park in Ferguson Township from noon-1 p.m. Monday-Friday.
• The YMCA of Centre County distributes larger bags of food for families to use over the weekend and meals for seniors and veterans at a family site in Centre Hall. The food is handed out noon to 2 p.m. Fridays at Progress Grange, 217 S. Pennsylvania Ave.

This story was originally published April 15, 2020 at 11:27 AM.