Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 28

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

2 cases of the coronavirus confirmed at Centre County senior living facility

A staff member and resident of The Oaks at Pleasant Gap each tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to letters obtained Tuesday by the Centre Daily Times.

They are the first known COVID-19 cases in a personal care facility or nursing home that operates in Centre County.

“Residents, families, staff and responsible parties, as well as the proper authorities, have been notified,” Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries Mission Advancement Director Andrea Schurr wrote in statement Tuesday that confirmed two positive cases. “We continue to take every precaution to keep everyone safe and follow public health recommendations.”

- by Bret Pallotto

Centre County adds 6 new cases of COVID-19 as Pennsylvania tops 43,000 total cases

Centre County added six new cases of the coronavirus Tuesday, according to the state Department of Health.

There are now 93 cases in Centre County and 43,264 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania, with 1,214 new cases coming since Monday at noon.

Centre County is also now on the state Department of Health’s list of counties with a case of COVID-19 associated with a nursing home or personal care home. There is one COVID-19 case in one county facility, according to the state. The name of facilities with coronavirus cases are not released in Pennsylvania, although state and federal politicians have received some bipartisan support in making such details public.

- by Jon Sauber

Pennsylvania unemployment system still stressed by virus

More than a month after Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation system buckled under the strain of COVID-19, Colleen Angeli has yet to receive a dime — and May bills are coming due.

Angeli, a 60-year-old receptionist from Hershey, is among the record 1.6 million workers who’ve applied for unemployment since mid-March, when the administration of Gov. Tom Wolf began closing nonessential businesses in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

The business closures unleashed an unprecedented flood of new claims, and the Department of Labor & Industry was unable to keep up. Officials say the claims backlog has been whittled down, but have not revealed how many people have actually received unemployment assistance.

- Associated Press

Pennsylvania schools could see 5% revenue loss, group says

Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts are facing a projected loss of as much as 5% in the revenue from local taxes as the coronavirus pandemic shutdowns take a heavy toll on the economy, a leading public schools group said Tuesday.

The Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officers said it is projecting a loss of $1 billion, or 5%, in revenue from local school taxes if economic recovery lags. A quicker turnaround could limit the damage to a loss of $850 million, or 4%, the group said.

- The Associated Pres

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.

• Mount Nittany Health introduced telehealth visits for patients of Mount Nittany Physician Group. “Telehealth visits offer another option for accessing the excellent care that our patients have come to expect from Mount Nittany Physician Group,” said Kathleen Rhine, president and CEO of Mount Nittany Health, in a release. “This new technology allows patients to visit with their provider where it’s most convenient for them.” Patients interested in scheduling a telehealth appointment should contact their providers office for consultation. More information on Mount Nittany’s telehealth services can be found at mountnittany.org/telehealth.

Education

• The State College Area School District is planning a commencement parade to honor its students graduating from LifeLink PSU. LifeLink PSU is a partnership between SCASD and Penn State that helps special education students transition to life beyond college. The parade will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday in the State High North campus parking lot, outside the Delta Program building. From there, decorated cars, a firetruck and three police cruisers will drive to the homes of the six graduates to flash lights, place graduation signs in the yard and drop off graduation treats, plaques and certificates.

Business changes

• Weis Markets announced Tuesday it will use non-contact infrared thermometers to take the temperature of associates before starting work. The policy is in effect at all Weis Markets stores, along with its distribution center, manufacturing and processing facilities and store support center. Any employee with an elevated temperature will be sent home.

Courts

• The state Supreme Court issued an order Tuesday extending the statewide judicial emergency through June 1 and also telling county courts to restore more operations. The previously announced statewide suspension of time calculations and deadlines will end May 11. Previous orders regarding dispossession of property and payments to district courts are extended until May 11. Jury trials will remain suspended. Court leaders are required to limit potential exposure to COVID-19 through procedures including restricting in-person access to court facilities and using technology where possible.

Things to do

• After the announcement that the 2020 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts will not happen this year, organizers will look to take the event online July 8-12. While details are still forthcoming, at least two events, the juried gallery exhibition Images 2020 and the Banner Competition will continue. Images 2020 will take place on arts-festival.com instead of at Schlow Centre Region Library and the Kish Bank Expect More Store. The Banner Competition will continue, with a submission deadline of June 19. Instead of hanging downtown, the banners will be displayed in the State College Municipal Building and other nontraditional locations.

Community outreach

• The State College Spikes are joining Minor League Baseball’s CommUNITY First campaign with Feeding America to raise money for local food banks during the pandemic. Fans can visit MiLB.com/CommUNITYFirst through May 31 to make a donation and choose the Spikes as the recipient in order to direct the funds to the State College area. For every $10 donated, the Spikes will give a ticket to a local hero of the pandemic for a home game this season or in 2021. “The Spikes have always been a place where the Happy Valley community comes together to create lasting memories, and now more than ever we are dedicated to continue that mission,” said general manager Scott Walker. “We are committed to joining our Minor League Baseball family across the country in using our resources to help sustain the lives of our neighbors and of millions of people in need.”
• State College Mayor Ron Filippelli proclaimed this Sunday as Bells Across Pennsylvania Day in the borough. Residents and churches are encouraged to ring bells for three minutes at 7 p.m. to honor those on the frontlines fo the COVID-19 pandemic and rally with other Pennsylvanians to show resolve for restoring local businesses and civic life to normalcy once restrictions are lifted.

Closings/cancellations

• The Mountain Top fire Company canceled its monthly Sunday dinner, which was scheduled for Mother’s Day. The fire company is hopeful the dinners will resume in June.

Pennsylvania news

• During the daily COVID-19 press briefing, state Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine encouraged people who suspect that a neighbor, family member, friend, student or co-worker is the victim of abuse, to report it. Signs of abuse or neglect include numerous unexplained injures and bruises, chronic anxiety, expressed feelings of inadequacy, poor impulse control and demonstrating abuse behavior or talk. Suspected child abuse can be reported 24/7 via ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313. Domestic violence can be reported at 1-800-799-7233. If you witness or hear a violent act, call 911.

• The Wolf administration is making immediate changes to the Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant Program to help ensure food banks are adequately supplied. As part of the changes, the round of grant eligibility will close on May 8 to allow applications to be reviewed and awards distributed as soon as possible, and the list of potential partners for food banks will be expanded to also include farmers, processors and cooperatives to help cut down on food waste.

Free meal options

This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 11:26 AM.