Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 30
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in Centre County. Check back for updates.
Centre County adds 1 more confirmed COVID-19 case as Pennsylvania cases increase by 1,397
Centre County met at least one key reopening metric a day before Gov. Tom Wolf is expected to ease some restrictions aimed at mitigating the spread of the coronavirus.
The county reported one new COVID-19 case Thursday, bringing its two-week tally to 23, according to the state Health Department.
The county has about 14 new confirmed cases per 100,000 in the past 14 days. A target goal outlined by Wolf and the DOH for reopening the Keystone State is fewer than 50 new confirmed cases per 100,000 in the past 14 days.
- by Bret Pallotto
Pennsylvania’s business shutdown waiver program gets audited
Gov. Tom Wolf’s business shutdown waiver program is being audited amid complaints it was managed unfairly, Pennsylvania’s chief fiscal watchdog announced Thursday.
Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said he is investigating how the Department of Community and Economic Development ran the waiver program, under which tens of thousands of businesses applied to remain open during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, a committee in the Republican-controlled state Senate voted Thursday along party lines to undertake a rarely used subpoena process to request information related to the waivers from Wolf’s administration.
- The Associated Press
Little League World Series canceled for first time
This year’s Little League World Series and the championship tournaments in six other Little League divisions have been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Little League President Stephen Keener announced the cancellations in a Facebook Live broadcast Thursday afternoon from league headquarters in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, saying it would be “impossible” to hold the events amid ongoing restrictions on large gatherings and travel.
- The Associated Press
Festivals are off, but Centre County food trucks find ways to roll on during COVID-19 pandemic
Restaurants aren’t the only dining option in Centre County feeling the affects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing precautions and canceled events have forced food trucks and concessions vendors to adjust their business methods and plans for the future as well.
However, communities around Centre County are coming out in full force to support their favorite food trucks and fair and festival concessions vendors.
The Facebook group “Centre County Covid Concessions” was recently established and features food trucks and concession vendors open for business around the county, with details on where hungry diners can find and support their favorites on a day-to-day basis. Pulled pork, soft serve ice cream, monkey bread, pizza and more are all on the menu for the group’s more than 5,000 members to check out.
- by Holly Riddle, for the CDT
Looking forward to golfing? Centre County golf courses will reopen with some changes in place
Golf is finally returning to Centre County — and local courses are anticipating a big turnout this weekend.
After a six-week shutdown due to the global pandemic surrounding COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, golf courses around the state will reopen Friday. And every 18-hole public course in the area confirmed to the Centre Daily Times they’re planning to open then.
The final holdout was Penn State, which announced Wednesday morning it would open its two courses Friday. But just about every other course had decided on Monday, the day of Gov. Tom Wolf’s golf announcement, that they’d tee off from Day 1.
- by Josh Moyer
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.
“My administration has taken measured, aggressive steps to protect public health and safety, including strictly limiting the types of businesses and projects that may continue to operate during this unprecedented time,” Wolf said last week. “Thankfully, these actions are working, and we are flattening the curve.”
- by Marley Parish
Reopening preparations
Penn State
- With in-person classes suspended into the summer semester, Penn State’s Counseling and Psychological Services will remain open to provide mental health services for students. Services include same-day phone support, individual counseling sessions, the new You@PSU self-help portal and daily virtual LifeHacks sessions. “We know our students are going through significant changes and challenges during this unprecedented time. For those who need support, CAPS, along with a variety of other programs and resources, continue to be available to help students as they adjust to and navigate the complexities of these circumstances,” said Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs, in a release. CAPS is providing telephone-based services to all students, as well as offering video-based counseling for students who reside in states that permit tele-counseling over state lines.
- Penn State has set up three new task forces to help plan and establish the necessary infrastructure to return students, faculty and staff to campus. The groups, Public Health and Science Assessment, Return to Work and Return to Campus and Community will work closely with the 12 existing action groups, which have been meeting regularly since early March. “While we wish there was a simple return to normal, there isn’t; however, as we proceed forward we must account for the ever-changing health dynamics at play and consider that a one-size-fits-all approach might not make sense for every program, college and campus across our institution,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Nick Jones in a release.
Pennsylvania news
- Hospitals across the state have received almost $324 million in emergency funding to help them treat COVID-19, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday. Among the hospitals and health systems that were approved to participate in the Hospital Emergency Loan Program are: Geisinger Health, which received $100 million for its hospital system; Evangelical Community Hospital, which received $10 million; and Tyrone Hospital, which received $1 million. The loan package aims to ensure that the hospitals have sufficient personnel and protective equipment. “As Pennsylvania continues to practice social distancing, we have successfully flattened the curve, but we know that our fight against COVID-19 is far from over,” Wolf said in a release. “This funding will allow our hospitals to hold steady in that fight with the peace of mind that they have access to the resources they need to provide critical care to their communities.”
- The state Department of Transportation said it will resume bridge and highway construction projects Friday. Gov. Tom Wolf has said public and private construction will be allowed to resume on that day. PennDOT said Thursday that workers will follow COVID-19 safety protocols, which will include guidelines for social distancing, using face coverings, and personal and job-site cleaning. PennDOT had paused most projects in March except for those involving critical road repairs to landslides. Locally, the state Route 26/Interstate 80 westbound interchange project in Bellefonte will resume Monday. Crews will install permanent traffic signal poles and signs at the intersection over several days, PennDOT said. Flaggers will direct traffic during work hours. The project, which began last May, is scheduled to be completed at the beginning of June.
- Public housing authorities in the state are in line to receive more than $8.1 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development due to the coronavirus aid bill, Sen. Bob Casey’s office said Thursday. The Centre County Housing Authority will get $100,690. This funding from HUD”s Housing Choice Voucher program will allow housing authorities “to ensure they can meet emerging needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and maintain existing programs. Housing insecurity is among the challenges worsened by this crisis and these grants come at a time when families and individuals need assistance most,” Casey, D-Pa., said in a statement.
- Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said Thursday he will audit the state’s process for handling business shutdown waivers. Gov. Tom Wolf ordered businesses that were not classified as “life-sustaining” to close their physical locations to slow the spread of COVID-19 on March 19. More than 40,000 businesses sought an exemption from Wolf’s order through a process managed by the state Department of Community and Economic Development, DePasquale said in a release. Senate Republicans had requested the audit earlier this week, and Wolf agreed it was “both appropriate and necessary,” DePasquale said. The audit will start “immediately,” DePasquale said, and the results will be made public.
Social distancing
Business changes
Community outreach/appreciation
- 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 of 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.
Things to do
- Happy Valley’s Got Talent will be held virtually this year. The show, which benefits Tides, will be presented on Facebook at 7 p.m. May 12 and will feature performers from previous years. There will also be discussions about grief and loss during the pandemic.
Closings/cancellations
Free meal options
This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 10:16 AM.