Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on May 1

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

Employee at another personal care facility in Centre County tests positive for COVID-19

A Wynwood House at State College employee tested positive for the new coronavirus, the personal care community’s owner said Friday.

It is the third confirmed case associated with a nursing or personal care home in Centre County. The Oaks at Pleasant Gap on Tuesday confirmed a resident and staff member each tested positive.

Despite each facility confirming one of their employees tested positive, the state Health Department’s website lists no cases among long-term care facility employees as of 2 p.m. Friday.

- by Bret Pallotto

It’s official: Centre County will partially reopen next week. Here’s what it means

After meeting key metrics for COVID-19 mitigation, Centre County will partially reopen amid the statewide shutdown next week.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday that 24 counties in Pennsylvania will see some relief from the state’s strict efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus — including the statewide stay-at-home order and closure of all nonessential businesses.

Reopening criteria includes having enough testing for individuals with symptoms and target populations, robust case investigation, contact tracing and assurance that high-risk facilities have safeguards in place.

- by Marley Parish

Virus restrictions to be eased in 24 Pa. counties

Gov. Tom Wolf was preparing to announce Friday that 24 counties in Pennsylvania — including Centre — will see some relief from his strictest orders for residents to stay at home and businesses to close as part of a strategy to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

All of the counties that are moving from “red” to “yellow” in Wolf’s color-coded reopening plan are in the northwest and north-central regions of Pennsylvania, which have seen far fewer virus infections and deaths than the rest of the state.

The changes are to take effect next Friday, May 8. Stay-at-home orders will be lifted and retail shops can start to reopen, though other restrictions will remain in place.

The counties to be included in Wolf’s announcement Friday are: Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Venango and Warren.

- The Associated Press

Centre County reports no new COVID-19 cases as state total nears 47,000

Centre County reported no new COVID-19 cases Friday, maintaining a two-week tally total of 23 coronavirus cases.

The county has about 14 new confirmed cases per 100,000 in the past 14 days. A target goal outlined by Gov Tom Wolf and the state Department of Health for reopening the Keystone State is fewer than 50 new confirmed cases per 100,000 in the past 14 days.

Additional reopening criteria includes enough testing for individuals with symptoms and target populations, robust case investigation and contact tracing initiatives, and assurance that high-risk facilities have safeguards in place.

Wolf is expected to announce guidelines for reopening Pennsylvania Friday afternoon.

- by Marley Parish

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.

In March, Wolf, a Democrat, closed businesses deemed “non-life-sustaining” to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, which has sickened more than 45,000 Pennsylvania residents and killed nearly 2,300. Wolf said he welcomed a review by the auditor general’s office, headed by DePasquale, a fellow Democrat who is running for Congress this year.

- Associated Press

Penn State student sues university over decision to close campus amid COVID-19 pandemic

A Penn State student filed a federal class-action lawsuit Thursday against the university’s board of trustees that challenged several of the university’s decisions aimed at mitigating the spread of the coronavirus.

Tyler Thomson conceded in the 20-page lawsuit that the university’s decision to close its campuses and transition to online classes was “the right thing ... to do,” but argued it deprived students of services that were already paid for.

“Common sense would dictate that the level and quality of instruction an educator can provide through an online format is lower than the level and quality of instruction that can be provided in person,” attorney Stuart Carpey wrote. “Moreover, the true college experience encompasses more than just the credit hours and degrees.”

- by Bret Pallotto

Neither rain nor global pandemic could stop the celebration for LifeLink PSU graduates

Neither rain nor a global pandemic could dampen the spirits of the six LifeLink PSU graduates on Thursday.

While their typical graduation ceremony and celebration were canceled due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts, the State College Area School District and community members made sure the students’ accomplishments didn’t go unrecognized.

More than 20 decorated vehicles, Boalsburg Fire Company fire engines and patrol cars from the Centre County Sheriff’s Office and several local police departments lined up at the State College Area High School, then traveled to each of the graduates’ homes.

- by Abby Drey

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

Budget fallout from virus hitting Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

The economic hurt from measures to contain the coronavirus is being felt, as Pennsylvania state government’s tax collections collapsed in April and, in Philadelphia, Mayor Jim Kenney proposed tax increases and layoffs.

The state Revenue Department reported collecting $2.2 billion in April, half of what it had originally expected in one of the biggest revenue months before the coronavirus pandemic hit.

The department estimated that approximately $1.7 billion of the $2.2 billion shortfall in April can be attributed to moving tax-filing deadlines to July or later.

- The Associated Press

Pennsylvania news

• The state has extended expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits amid COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Those products that were scheduled to expire from March 16 through May 31 will remain valid through June 30, the state Department of Transportation said Friday. All driver and photo license centers remain closed until further notice, but many services are available at www.dmv.pa.gov.

Reopening reaction

• “Our residents have been abiding by the stay-at-home orders and many of our businesses have had to either close or significantly curtail operations,” state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, said in a statement. “Make no mistake: This is certainly good news for Centre County, but we still must remain vigilant and continue to practice social distancing guidelines to further curb the virus’s spread.”

Reopening preparations

Closings/cancellations

• The annual Millheim Fire Company Carnival has been canceled. The truck pull is still scheduled for June 20.

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 front lines 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

• Penn State Campus Recreation is hosting the first We Are Penn State Virtual 5K on Friday to benefit the Student Care and Advocacy Student Emergency Fund.

• Happy Valley Improv will perform virtually at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday starting next week on the streaming platform Mixer. The show is free but donations will be accepted; 25% will go to The State Theatre with another 25% to a local business or nonprofit each week. The group will also hold a monthly late night show, with this month’s set for 9:30 p.m. May 28. All shows will be streamed at www.mixer.com/happyvalleyimprov. Additionally, the group will offer virtual improv classes starting next week. Visit www.happyvalleyimprov.com/eprova.html for more information on schedules, fees and registration. Happy Valley Improv also hosts a free practice group at 7 p.m. Sundays. For more, or to join the group’s mailing list, email RichD.HVI@gmail.com.
• 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.

Free meal options

This story was originally published May 1, 2020 at 11:27 AM.