Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 23

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

Facing estimated $260M in losses, Penn State announces cost-cutting measures, potential layoffs

With Penn State facing at least a $260 million projected loss over the next 14 months, university President Eric Barron announced a series of cuts and belt-tightening measures early Thursday evening — including reducing the salaries for some employees who “do not have work they can perform” by 50% through June 30.

In a letter first emailed to university employees, Barron outlined several cost-cutting measures such as a 3% unit reduction that could result in layoffs for the next fiscal year and deferring several capital projects. He also said some employees — namely those in auxiliary units and Office of Physical Plant — will be paid half their salaries from May 4 through June 30 because the coronavirus is currently preventing them from working.

Barron said the university “believes” the affected employees should also be eligible for unemployment and stimulus support. The number of those affected was not released.

- by Josh Moyer

Coronavirus testing now available by Geisinger in Philipsburg

Philipsburg residents won’t have to travel quite so far anymore for COVID-19 testing, as Geisinger announced Thursday it has made nasal-swab testing available at its location on Medical Center Drive.

Testing is available by appointment only, and results from Geisinger’s lab typically take between three and 24 hours.

Those interested in getting tested should call Geisinger’s nurse triage line at 570-284-3657 or make an appointment through a primary care physician. According to the health system, Geisinger will test “anyone who meets screening criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.”

- by Josh Moyer

Centre County could be among the first areas to reopen in Pennsylvania. Here’s what it means

Centre County could be among the first in the state to be gradually released from Gov. Tom Wolf’s stay-at-home order, according to a statewide plan announced Wednesday.

Wolf plans to begin easing pandemic restrictions May 8 in northcentral and northwestern Pennsylvania, areas of the state that have not been as severely affected by the new coronavirus.

The northcentral region includes Centre and 11 other counties while the northwest region has 13 counties, including Clearfield County.

Centre County has the most confirmed COVID-19 cases — 76 — as of Thursday in either region poised to enter the “yellow stage” of reopening.

- by Bret Pallotto

Second Centre County Correctional Facility inmate tests positive for COVID-19

A second Centre County Correctional Facility inmate tested positive for the new coronavirus, the jail’s warden announced Thursday in a press release.

The inmate, a Centre County resident, has been in isolation since exhibiting symptoms and does not need to be hospitalized as of Thursday, Warden Christopher Schell said.

A “small number” of staff and fellow inmates who may have had contact with the inmate are quarantined while contact tracing and additional tests are being conducted, Schell said.

- by Bret Pallotto

Masks are mandatory in Pennsylvania. How is the order being enforced in State College?

To ensure the health and safety of residents and essential workers, all Pennsylvanians must wear face masks while inside businesses, but State College Borough officials said enforcing the order is a “balancing act.”

Last week, Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine signed an order that directs businesses to protect their workers by providing masks to employees and makes wearing them mandatory for staff and customers.

The order went into effect 8 p.m. Sunday.

- by Marley Parish

Pennsylvania slashes COVID-19 death toll by 201

The Pennsylvania Department of Health slashed the state’s COVID-19 death toll on Thursday by 201, saying probable deaths it had previously included in the count were eliminated after further investigation.

The overall death toll now stands at 1,421, down from 1,622 reported a day earlier.

The number of deaths confirmed by a positive virus test actually rose overnight by 69, to 1,394. But Health Secretary Rachel Levine said Thursday that 270 probable deaths that had been added to the death toll in recent days have been removed after further investigation.

- Associated Press

Centre County back to 1 COVID-19 death as state Department of Health adjusts data

One death attributed to the new coronavirus was removed Thursday from Centre County’s tally, according to data released by the state Department of Health.

It was not immediately clear why the death was removed, bringing the county back to just one COVID-19-related death. More information about “probable” deaths is expected to be forthcoming, the DOH said in a news release. The statewide death toll from COVID-19 also decreased from 1,622 to 1,394.

Centre County is also off the state’s list of COVID-19 cases associated with nursing home and personal care homes, two days after the state reported the first case and death within an unidentified county facility.

- by Bret Pallotto

State College’s first LGBTQ Pride parade was canceled — but an online festival is taking its place

Organizer Tamar London was disappointed to see State College’s first LGBTQ Pride parade and festival officially canceled Monday ahead of its June 13 date — but her group now has another plan to take that festival’s place.

London, co-chair of the Centre LGBTQA Support Network, told the Centre Daily Times that her group is in the early planning stages of hosting an online LGBTQ Film Festival in June instead. That event, in partnership with Centre Film and Penn State professor Pearl Gluck, will likely take place via the online Zoom platform and will be free to those who attend virtually, although donations will be accepted.

London said the decision to hold the film festival was finalized Tuesday once the group secured a sponsorship from First Commonwealth Bank. More details will be upcoming.

- by Josh Moyer

Closings/cancellations

• Following Boalsburg Fire Company’s cancellation of its annual Memorial Day week carnival and parade, the Pleasant Gap Fire Company canceled its 2020 carnival, parade and associated events, including the concerts, chicken barbecue and cake walk.

Who’s hiring?

• The Giant Co. announced Thursday it plans to hire an additional 3,000 employees, increasing its total workforce by nearly 10%. The job opening include multiple in-store positions, fulfillment center selectors and drivers to support Giant Direct, the online grocery service that offers pickup and delivery. As the demand for online grocery sales has continued to increase amid the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home order, Giant will also be phasing in technological enhancements to Giant Direct, as well as digital enhancements to its website and app. With the digital enhancements and additional hires, Giant hopes to increase its online ordering capacity and contact-less pickup time slots.
• College Township is hiring a full-time accountant. Apply through the township’s website.
• The state Department of Labor and Industry has a COVID-19 employment opportunities portal through Pa. Career Link. The portal is updated daily with available positions.

Things to do

• Relay For Life of Penn State will host its annual event virtually on its website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Participants are encouraged to sign up to walk in 30-minute shifts and take photos. To register for the event, buy raffle tickets or sponsor a luminaria bag, go to psurelay.org. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
• In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention month, Stewards of Children is holding virtual training sessions through the YMCA of Centre County to help people prevent, recognize and react to abuse. The next training session is 2-4 p.m Thursday. Register at the YMCA’s website.
• The YMCA of Centre County is holding its Run for Our Heroes virtual 5K run/walk anytime on Saturday. Participants can run or walk the 3.1 miles, then log their workout on Strava or email their time, along with their name, gender and age, to jcone@ymcaocc.org. Results will be posted at www.ymcaocc.org. While the event is free, a donation of food or money to the YMCA’s Anti-Hunger Program is encourages.
• Peter Buck, a state House candidate for the 171st District, will host a virtual 50th Earth Week panel at 7 p.m. Thursday with local climate leaders Michael Mann and Brandi Robinson. Mann is a distinguished professor of atmospheric science at Penn State and a leading climate researcher. Robinson is the chairperson of the Ferguson Township Climate Action committee and the Centre Region’s Technical Advisory Group for climate action and adaption planning. Information on how to join the Zoom call can be found at buckforpa.com or on Buck’s campaign Facebook page.

• The Penn State All-Sports Museum will host a virtual chat at 1:30 p.m. Friday with former Nittany Lion athletes Rich Makover (lacrosse) and Janae Whittaker Ali (gymnastics). Register for the event at https://bit.ly/3cjBsvC.

Pennsylvania news

• Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday evening that nonessential construction can resume May 1, a week before the phased reopening begins on May 8.
• Gov. Tom Wolf laid out his three-phase plan for reopening Pennsylvania’s economy Wednesday evening.

• A new online portal has been created for people and businesses to coordinate donations of critical medical supplies, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency said Thursday. The items most needed are: surgical/procedure masks; form fitting respirators (such as N95/N99); face masks with integrated shield; medical grade alcohol-based hand sanitizer; aprons; protective gloves; protective goggles; isolation gowns; protective suits; and sanitizing wipes.

Regional updates

• Centre Region Ready released a video to help break down Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan and how it might affect the Centre Region. Some services are already returning, including curbside pickup for recycling.

Community outreach

• Residents donated more than 300 pounds of cat food for local animal shelters through the Lemont Village Association’s cat food drive. Animal shelters have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as many have had to cancel fundraisers and some supporters and volunteers have lost their jobs. The cat rescues that received the donations were Hope’s Dream Rescue and Sanctuary in Howard, The 100 Cat Foundation in Centre Hall and Fonda’s Foundlings in State College. Donations are still being accepted and can be safely dropped off at 637 Mulberry Lane in Lemont. Anyone with questions can email Suzanne Wills at suzannewills@verizon.net.

Health care

• Centre LifeLink EMS on Thursday urged community members to seek medical treatment if necessary, even amid the stay-at-home order. Mount Nittany Medical Center is prepared to treat patients during the pandemic and is using the latest treatments and prevention control, Dr. Cliff Neal, Centre LifeLink medical director, said in a statement. “We are unfortunately finding our patients waiting too long to call for help; many becoming seriously ill, and some needlessly dying as a result. Serious infection, heart attacks, strokes, medical and traumatic emergencies are still occurring,” Neal said. “We understand that you have been told to stay home, and thankfully most of you have. If you have mild illness, this is still the best plan. However, if you are seriously ill, or have a condition which needs further care, we are here to help. Please do not hesitate to call your primary care provider or 911.”
• MedExpress is now offering COVID-19 testing at its 1613 N. Atherton St. location in State College. Starting Friday, it will also offer Centre County patients the option to schedule virtual visit appointments with a licensed MedExpress health care professional. Tests are being completed from the individuals’ cars to further limit exposure, and are only available for those who meet CDC-based screening criteria. Those who believe they meet the criteria, which can be found at www.medexpress.com/covid19, can call their local MedExpress to set up an appointment. To schedule a virtual appointment, call 888-759-1868.

• Weis Markets announced a partnership with online telehealth platform Healthie to allow customers to consult via video chat with a Weis registered dietitian to help manage health conditions from their homes. Nutritional topics that can be covered in the sessions include Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure/cholesterol, weight control and more. To take advantage of the introductory offer, which includes a free 60-minute nutrition session and a 30-minute followup, customers can email weisdietitians@weismarkets.com. More information is available at the Weis HealthyBites “Nourish Your Life” Facebook group, or healthybites.weismarkets.com.

Free meal options

This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 11:35 AM.