Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 27
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in Centre County. Check back for updates.
Centre County sees 6 new COVID-19 cases as state total surpasses 42,000
Centre County added six new cases of the coronavirus Monday, according to the state Department of Health.
As of noon Monday, there are now 87 cases in Centre County and 42,050 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania, meaning 885 cases are new since Sunday.
- by Marley Parish
Construction will resume Friday across Pennsylvania, but crews will have new rules to follow
Centre County construction workers will be equipped with hard hats, tools and masks when they return to work Friday.
Following a push from state legislators, Gov. Tom Wolf announced last week that all public and private construction projects would reopen May 1 — as long as companies follow safety regulations meant to protect employees from COVID-19. Initially, Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine ordered construction to halt unless projects were supporting a life-sustaining business.
- by Marley Parish
Despite COVID-19 challenges, giving continues in Centre County
Since the start of COVID-19 lockdowns across the U.S., stories have flooded the news of toilet paper shortages, food insecurities and unemployment surges. While Centre County is not immune to the challenges, the pandemic has also led to more opportunities for giving — and residents are stepping up.
Columbia Fire Company in Osceola Mills posted on Facebook that it received “overwhelming responses” to donation request letters sent out in February. Mammoth Restoration has been offering its cleaning services free of charge to fire companies across the county. Penn State’s Applied Research Department has teamed up with manufacturing companies to 3D-print personal protective equipment and distribute it to hospitals across the state. Local restaurants have been providing free meals to community members in need.
Everywhere, people are giving.
- by Lilly Riddle
Centre Region Council of Governments launches campaign aimed at reducing food waste
Amid this unprecedented time, Centre County residents have transformed their daily routines including the way they shop and plan their meals. COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, social distancing guidelines and food item limits along with possible financial implications due to the pandemic are having a ripple effect on the way people think about food consumption and food waste.
For many years, food waste has been viewed as an environmental issue. In fact, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that if food waste was a country, it would be the third highest emitter of greenhouse gases after the United States and China. In the U.S., food waste accounts for 21.5% of tonnage in landfills.
- by Corinne Findlay, for the CDT
More Centre County liquor stores to reopen for curbside pickup Monday
As state-owned liquor stores remain closed to the public during the coronavirus pandemic, hundreds more will begin offering curbside pickup, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board said Friday.
Beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, 389 more Fine Wine & Good Spirits locations across the state will accept phone orders — the first 50 to 100 placed each day, according to the PLCB. Most stores will offer curbside service Monday through Saturday with pickups scheduled between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- by Matt Hymowitz
Health care
Centre Volunteers in Medicine launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for personal protective equipment. Monica Wright, development director at CVIM, wrote on the page that the nonprofit “has a desperate need” for N95 masks, face shields, gowns and gloves. Upgraded PPE was not in the CVIM annual budget, Wright wrote, estimating it will cost $10,000 to meet the demand.
Things to do
- James Kastings, Evan Pugh professor of geosciences at Penn State, will lead a panel discussion on climate change impacts such as human heat stress and food security, as well as strategies to mitigate these challenges, at 4 p.m. Monday via Zoom.
- Centre Region Parks and Recreation will host the free online class GentleYoga at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Closings/cancellations
- Penn State Extension canceled or postponed in-person, nonessential programs through June 19 in line with recent university decisions. The cancellations also affect 4-H activities. Summer camps will not be held and 4-H youth cannot represent the organization in livestock shows and sales at county fairs through that date.
The Centre County Pomona Grange No. 13 meeting on May 5 has been canceled and will not be rescheduled. The next meeting will be on Aug. 1 at the Grange fairgrounds.
Pennsylvania news
- Starting Friday, golf courses, marinas, guided fishing trips and privately owned campgrounds will be allowed to reopen statewide, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday. The activities must follow updated life-sustaining guidance and FAQ from the administration. “As we start to take measured, limited steps to reopen our commonwealth, reopening these industries will help to rebuild our economy and strengthen our mental health,” Wolf said in a statement. The governor previously announced construction can resume Friday, while May 8 remains the target date for reopening areas of Pennsylvania.
Community outreach
Free meal options
This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 9:22 AM.