Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on May 18

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

Centre County adds 2 new COVID-19 cases; 63,056 total cases reported in Pennsylvania

Two new cases of COVID-19 were reported Monday in Centre County, bringing the county’s total to 133 since March 20.

The state Health Department removed one COVID-19 death from Centre County’s tally, dropping the overall total to five and bringing the total in line with information reported by the Centre County coroner’s office.

The first death in Centre County occurred April 16, according to the coroner’s office, and have been reported among residents ranging in age from 74 to 96 years old.

- by Bret Pallotto

With one shop set to close, longtime State College business owner sees uncertain future after COVID-19

For the past two months, State College business owner Art Fine — who oversees four women’s clothing, shoe and accessory shops — felt as if time stood still.

He would enter his dark, closed stores every other day. And, every time, glancing at untouched merchandise or leaves on the floor, he would feel a sadness wash over himself. Fine, who’s been in business downtown for 46 years, wasn’t sure if the pandemic would eliminate a lot of what he’s worked for in life.

And, about a week after reopening, he’s still not sure.

- by Josh Moyer

Curbside recycling is back after a hiatus due to COVID-19. Here are safety guidelines to follow

As you all know, we had to suspend our curbside recycling operation for about a month due to concerns with COVID-19, but have since resumed our service as of April 27. When we resumed, we added some guidelines to help to keep our workers and residents safe.

- by Amy Schirf, Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority

As elective services resume, here’s what to expect when you visit the doctor in Centre County

Appointments, elective surgeries and other health care services that were scaled back in mid-March to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus are gradually resuming in Centre County.

The following is a look at what to expect at three of the biggest health care networks that operate in Centre County.

- by Bret Pallotto

Reopening

Closings/cancellations

• Bellefonte American Legion Post 33, Pleasant Gap American Legion Post 867 and Bellefonte VFW Post 1600 have canceled Memorial Day services. That includes services at the following locations: Centre County Courthouse, Meyers, Jewish/Hebrew, Zion, Snydertown, Hublersburg, Jacksonville, Pleasant Gap Lutheran, Quaker, Catholic and the Union cemeteries.

Recreation

All ATV trails in Pennsylvania’s state forests will open Tuesday, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said in a news release. Designated motorcycle trails in Bald Eagle State Forest also will open Tuesday. DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said the trails are opening earlier than usual — they typically open the Friday before Memorial Day — to reduce crowding during opening weekend and offer more opportunities for social distancing. ATV riding is only permitted on designated trails in state forests; it is not allowed in state parks, state game lands or on state forest roads.

Education

The State College Area School District will take part in State College Light Up The Night, a communitywide effort Wednesday to recognize this year’s graduating class and support the nurses, doctors, medical providers and first responders on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. At 8:20 p.m., the district will light up some of its athletic fields and facilities for 20 minutes. Some scoreboards will display the score 20-20 in recognition of what seniors have experienced during the pandemic, while “4th Down and 19 Yards to go” will show as well, signifying the hard work of medical providers and first responders to stem the “drive” of COVID-19, according to a news release from the district. The Bryce Jordan Center will also light up in maroon and white in honor of State High’s Class of 2020.

From 8-9 p.m. Wednesday, Forever Media State College will broadcast a Light Up The Night program featuring special guests, including the senior class president, State High team captains, and local medical professionals and first responders. To listen to the program, tune to MAJIC-FM (93.7).

Students and residents will not be permitted on school and facility grounds during the event. Supporters are being encouraged to illuminate homes and properties in solidarity, take selfie pictures or videos and post them to social media sites, tagging State High, its sports teams and participating organizations and using the hashtag #SCLightUpTheNight.

Business updates

Jobs

Municipal updates

• Ferguson Township is asking residents to take a six-question survey about how COVID-19 updates can be communicated. The survey closes on Monday and can be found here.

• The State College Borough Public Works Department will resume normal bulk and brush collections. Bulk items and brush are collected throughout the week beginning on Monday, unless there is a legal holiday during that week. To schedule bulk collection, visit http://www.statecollegepa.us/forms.aspx?fid=152.

Pennsylvania news

• The state Department of Health on Friday distributed the second shipment of the investigational antiviral medication, remdesivir, to treat patients in the hospital with COVID-19. On Friday, 1,548 doses of medication were sent today to 21 hospitals, and a second shipment of 6,390 doses will be distributed to 58 hospitals on Monday. The DOH first distributed 1,200 doses of the medication from the federal government to 51 hospitals across Pennsylvania on Tuesday. “The department is working to give our hospitals every opportunity to treat patients with COVID-19,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement. “It is important to note that there is limited information on the safety and effectiveness of using remdesivir to treat people in the hospital with COVID-19. However, it was shown in a clinical trial to shorten the recovery time in some people, which is why the Food and Drug Administration has authorized the emergency use of the medication for treatment.”
• The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission said Friday that all state-owned historic sites and museums, including the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, will be closed to the public until their counties enter the green phase of the state’s reopening plan. Thirty-seven counties, including Centre, Clinton, Clearfield and Blair, are in the yellow phase, and another 12 are set to join next Friday. The remaining counties are in the red phase.

Community outreach/appreciation

• The State College Area School District is holding a “Stuff the Bus” food collection drive from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to benefit the State College Food Bank. Nonperishable food items, including those on the food bank’s “greatest needs” list, can be dropped off at Corl Street, Easterly Parkway, Ferguson Township, Gray’s Woods, Mount Nittany, Park Forest, Radio Park and Spring Creek elementary schools, and Mount Nittany Middle and Park Forest middle schools. The district’s school buses will then pick up the food and deliver the donations to the food bank the next day.

Things to do

• With Boalsburg’s annual Memorial Day celebration canceled, Harris Township will post a new Memorial Day moment on its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/harristownship, each day leading up to May 25. At 6 p.m. on Memorial Day, the 156th Walk to the Cemetery will be held virtually.

• Penn State released a list of virtual things to do from May 14-21, including online lectures, exhibits and more.
• Penn State President Eric Barron will host a virtual town hall at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday to answer questions regarding how the university continue to manage the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, including the work being done to return students and staff to campus. The hourlong event will be livestreamed at liveevents.psu.edu, and also feature Executive Vice President and Provost Nick Jones and other key faculty and administrative leaders.
• Penn State University Police and Public Safety is holding four public safety Zoom sessions each week through May 27. Two sessions each week will cover Penn State’s Active Attacker Response Program, and the other two will be open question and answer sessions with Penn State police officers. Participants should register with a Penn State email in advance; space is limited. Register here for the Active Attacker Response Program. Register here for the open public safety Q&A session.

Free meal options

This story was originally published May 18, 2020 at 8:35 AM.