Coronavirus

Reopening updates: Centre County reports 1 new COVID-19 case, and other updates for June 8

By CDT staff reports

Updated June 8, 2020 5:08 PM

We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date coronavirus news now that Centre County is in the green phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to reopen Pennsylvania. Check back for updates.

Centre County reports one new COVID-19 case

Centre County added one new case of COVID-19 Monday, according to the state Department of Health, bringing the county’s total to 157 since the first case was reported March 20.

There have been 75,943 cases of the coronavirus reported as of noon Monday in Pennsylvania, an increase of 351 since noon Sunday. According to the DOH, about 71% of people who have tested positive have recovered.

The statewide death toll from the virus rose Monday, increasing by 10 to 5,953.

Six COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed in Centre County — an 89-year-old man on April 16, a 96-year-old man May 8, an 89-year-old woman May 9, a 74-year-old man May 12, an 88-year-old woman May 13 and an 88-year-old man Wednesday, according to the Centre County Coroner’s Office.

The DOH reported seven deaths for Centre County. It’s not known why a discrepancy exists, but it’s possible that a permanent Centre County resident died outside of the county.

-by Marley Parish

Wolf backs off demand for weekly testing in nursing homes

The administration of Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday backed off its demand that nursing homes test all residents and staff for the new coronavirus weekly, instead ordering them to complete a single baseline test.

Wolf had vowed last month that weekly testing would start June 1, saying his administration had a plan in place to accomplish it. Health experts were skeptical, citing logistical, operational and financial hurdles to an ambitious testing regime that would have involved well over 100,000 people in long-term care homes statewide.

Dr. Rachel Levine, the state health secretary, on Monday ordered nursing homes to conduct a baseline test of all residents and staff by July 24. The Health Department also issued revised testing guidance that recommends universal testing only if a facility has a new confirmed infection.

- The Associated Press

Centre Region playgrounds are now open, with families urged to use caution

Nearly 45 playgrounds maintained by the Centre Region Parks and Recreation Authority reopened Monday after a 70-day hiatus.

The structures, which were closed to mitigate the potential spread of the new coronavirus, are not routinely sanitized. Visitors are encouraged to be mindful of their hygiene and not overcrowd parks.

“The Centre Region has a wonderful network of parks, and not only has it been great to see people getting much-needed physical activity and time outside in safe ways, but it has also been incredible to realize how vital the parks system is to our community,” the organization wrote on Facebook.

-by Bret Pallotto

How summer sports camps and recreational facilities are reopening in Centre County

With the school year ending in Centre County, summer sports camps and recreational activities are gearing up to start.

But while summer camps, organized team sports and going to the pool are all allowed in the “green phase” of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan, they will look different amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Facilities and programs that reopen must do so in accordance with state and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, including masking, sanitation, hygiene and physical distancing. Some facilities, such as Nittany Valley Sports Centre located off Bernel Road in Patton Township, are also implementing their own ways to keep kids and coaches safe.

-by Acacia Aster Broder

AAUW State College officially cancels annual sale, donating books to nonprofits

The American Association of University Women of State College has officially canceled its 2020 used book sale, officials announced Thursday. The sale, typically held in May, had previously been postponed to an unspecified date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the cancellation, the AAUW said it will still be able to help support local projects and scholarships for young women and girls in 2020 because of the proceeds garnered from last year’s sale. The group recently awarded $35,720 in grants to 10 local nonprofits that embody AAUW values. Additional mini-grants will be awarded this fall to girls and women studying STEM.

With the sale canceled, the AAUW offset the operating costs associated with the Used Book Workshop — where books are gathered, processed and stored for the sale — by selling nearly 4,000 boxes of the 2020 inventory to Midtown Scholars Book Store in Harrisburg.

All children’s books not purchased by the store were donated to the Mid-State Literacy Council, Schlow Centre Region Library and the Centre County Library system to use as part of their summer reading programs and other learning initiatives.

- by Marley Parish

Transportation

The Centre Area Transportation Authority restored additional service on several routes starting Monday. CATA is not collecting fares and is requiring riders to wear a covering over their nose and mouth. Passengers are encouraged to board buses at the rear door, if able. Beginning Monday, the HM (Nittany Mall/Toftrees), K (Cato Park), N (Martin Street/Aaron Drive), P (Tussey Mountain), R (Waupelani Drive), V (Vairo Boulevard), W (Valley Vista), XB (Bellefonte) and XG (Pleasant Gap) routes, and the Blue Loop and Red Link will operate starting at 6 a.m. daily, including Saturdays. The NV (Havershire/Martin/Vairo/Toftrees) and RP (Waupelani/downtown) routes will be discontinued. Full route and schedule information is available at catabus.com/reduced-service.

CATAGo

CATAGo is offering service in Bellefonte from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. There will be no service in Pleasant Gap.

CATARide

CATARide is operating from 6 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Service outside these hours is limited to life-sustaining treatment such as dialysis and chemotherapy. Reservations for next-day trips can be made from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There is no service on Sundays.

CATA is asking riders who are negatively affected by service changes or have unmet transportation needs to call 238-CATA (2282) to share their concerns.

CATA is taking several safety precautions, including providing masks and face shields for frontline employees and staff, regularly cleaning and disinfecting high-touch services in vehicles and facilities, and screening employees to ensure their health.

“The No. 1 goal of CATA’s board of directors and employees is the health and safety of our customers and the general public,” Executive Director and CEO Louwana Oliva said in a news release. “We pledge to continue these efforts and to adjust as the experts release further guidance.”

The state Department of Transportation has resumed driver’s skills tests at reopened Driver License Centers, the agency announced Tuesday. Customers whose tests were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic will receive priority in rescheduling by calling PennDOT at 717-412-5300. Other customers will be able to schedule a test in the appointment system starting June 20. Several safety modifications have been made to the test. For example, customers and accompanying drivers will be required to wear face masks during tests. In yellow phase counties, applicants will receive a basic health prescreening and will not be tested if they show COVID-19 symptoms. There will be no screening in green counties. Additionally, examiners must wear appropriate protective equipment. Resources are available at www.dmv.pa.gov.

Pennsylvania news

I’m proud of the work we’ve all done to flatten the curve in Pennsylvania.

Through staying home and social distancing, we’ve lowered the number of daily new cases of #COVID19.

These aren’t just numbers. These are lives saved. These are people kept out of the hospital. pic.twitter.com/OxkxBKP8md
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) June 8, 2020

A $225 million statewide grant program is available to support small businesses that were affected by COVID-19, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday. Eligible businesses can use the grants to cover operating expenses during the shutdown and transition to reopening, and for technical assistance such as training and guidance for business owners as they relaunch. The Department of Community and Economic Development will distribute the funds to community development financial institutions, which will make the grants. “As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and shift our focus toward reopening our commonwealth, we need to help all Pennsylvanians recover,” Wolf said in a release. “We need to provide assistance for those who were hurt by the pandemic and the resulting economic downturn.”
Nursing homes in 37 counties will receive cellphones and tablets as part of a program to increase contact between residents and their family and friends. The Department of Aging and AARP Pennsylvania will provide the technology to skilled nursing facilities where resident advocates or staff members expressed a need and commitment to “support the appropriate use of the devices,” the Department of Aging said Friday. AristaCare at Hearthside in State College will receive one phone as part of the program. “The COVID-19 pandemic has forced visitation bans at long-term care facilities across Pennsylvania, effectively isolating residents from friends and family,” Bill Johnston-Walsh, AARP Pennsylvania state director, said in a release. “AARP is very pleased to be working with the Department of Aging to make cellphones and other technology available to help vulnerable older adults maintain critical lines of communication during this crisis.”
Restrictions in long-term care facilities will remain in effect for at least 28 days after a facility’s county enters the green phase, the Wolf administration said Friday. The Department of Health requires limits on vistors, restrictions on workers and other measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes. The Department of Human Services also has restricted visitors to its intermediate care faciltiies, assisted living faciltiies, state centers, state hospitals, youth development centers and youth forestry camps. Those who are served by those facilities tend to have chronic medical conditions and are at a higher risk of complications from COVID-19. Virtual communication has been encouraged, such as meeting through a glass door or window, using technology such as Skype, Zoom or Facebook, or via phone calls, emails, writing letters or texting. The Department of Aging’s ombudsman can assist families who are trying to reach loved ones in nursing homes during the pandemic as well as long-term care residents who have complaints.
Walmart and Quest Diagnostics will operate additional drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites across the state beginning Friday, Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said Wednesday. The sites, which include one in Clearfield, will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Registration is required one day in advance at Quest’s patient portal. The tests will be provided at no cost to Pennsylvanians. The Clearfield testing site is at the Walmart Supercenter parking lot, 100 Supercenter Drive. Gov. Tom Wolf also announced that the state reached its testing goal for May with more than 283,000 results reported to the Health Department. The state’s 2% testing goal was met by more than 11%.

Business updates

Local government

State College interim Mayor Ron Filippelli in his weekly update video encouraged residents to go out and patronize local stores and restaurants as a thank you for doing their part to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. He also encouraged those business to make sure they comply with the new health and safety requirements.
State College Borough has announced several downtown parking changes as the county enters the green phase. On-street meters will continue to be free during daytime hours, but overnight parking at meters is not permitted, as meters are designated for short-term parking. The Pugh Street, Beaver Avenue and Fraser garages, along with the Beaver and Allen lots and McAllister Deck will be no charge and allow overnight parking. The regulations will be updated as the number of vehicles in downtown State College increases.

Community feedback

The State College borough and Downtown Improvement District are seeking feedback from downtown business owners about different options for temporarily improving opportunities for outdoor commerce and the pedestrian environment to better to better enable safe social distancing. The survey will close at 5 p.m. Monday.
Penn State has teamed up with local leaders for the Centre County COVID-19 Data 4 Action Project (Data 4 Action). The first initiative of the project is an anonymous survey, which will document how the pandemic is impacting Centre County residents’ lives and their experiences they as return to work and school. The survey launched Monday at Data4Action.psu.edu and can also be taken by phone from noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday at 753-4799. All adult Centre County residents are asked to complete the survey by June 12. For every 100 individuals who complete the survey, Penn State will make a $100 donation to the Centre County Food Pantries (serving residents throughout the county) and will donate up to $10,000.

Health care

The state Department of Health has distributed the fourth shipment of the drug remdesivir to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Hospitals received the drug based on the number of COVID-19 patients over a recent seven-day period and how many were on ventilators. “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,” Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said in a release. “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.” Mount Nittany Medical Center was one of the 73 hospitals in the state to receive a new shipment of the drug, which is given to a patient through an IV once a day for up to 10 days.

Mount Nittany Health

Mount Nittany Health reopened imaging services at Blue Course Drive and Park Avenue on Monday. At Mount Nittany Health Park Avenue, Suite 203, X-ray is open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. At Mount Nittany Health Blue Course Drive: MRI is open 6:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; X-ray is open 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday; and ultrasound is open 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Mount Nittany Health reopened several outpatient lab services on June 1. Locations and hours include:

Mount Nittany Health Penns Valley: 7:30 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday
Mount Nittany Health Park Avenue: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Mount Nittany Health Blue Course Drive: 7:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Monday-Friday
Mount Nittany Health Philipsburg: 7:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 7:30-11:45 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
Mount Nittany Health Bellefonte: 7:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 7:30-11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
Mount Nittany Medical Center: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Mount Nittany Health Mifflin County: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. and in the office for emergency needs

More information on increased safety procedures can be found at mountnittany.org/open.

Geisinger

As the state reopens, Geisinger has updated its visitation policy, modifying routine, in-person visits to all hospitalized patients. Connecting with patients via phone calls, Facetime and Skype is still encouraged when possible. Visitors will be allowed for:

Patients undergoing surgery or procedures (one single-time visitor immediately after the procedure)
Patients who are medically unstable (one visitor)
Patients who are at the end of life (two visitors)
Delivering mothers (one support person)
Patients who are minors and those with limited decisional capacity (up to two parents or guardians)
Patients who have altered mental status, an intellectual, developmental or cognitive disability or a communication barrier (one visitor)
Patients with disruptive behavior, where a family member is key to their care (one visitor)

Approved visitors are subject to the following guidelines:

Be 18 years of age or older and in good health
Bring a form of identification
Not have symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, recent loss of taste or smell or flu-like illness suggestive of COVID-19
Not have active COVID-19 infection
Be symptom-free for at least 14 days if they previously had active COVID-19 infection
Complete health screening, including a temperature check, at the entrance before entry
Wear a mask at all times while in the facility
Respect social distancing guidelines of 6 feet from all others
Wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before entering and after leaving a patient’s room
Use the same entrance for entry into and exit from the hospital
Identify themselves and stay in designated areas (not travel throughout the facility)

Patients who have appointments at a Geisinger clinic, lab or emergency department may have one person accompany them. More information on Geisinger’s visitation policy can be found here.

Penn State Health

Penn State Health has revised visitation guidelines to allow patients who are negative for COVID-19 to be accompanied by a designated family member or support person. Family or support people — defined as those with a biological, legal or emotional relationship with the patient — must be 18 or older, unless they are the parent of a pediatric patient or the partner of a patient in labor. Adults who are inpatients or having outpatient surgery will be allowed one family or support person per day. Patients who require moderate sedation and a driver for outpatient procedures will also be allowed to bring along one family member or support person. Due to space constraints, family or support people cannot be with adult patients in emergency departments. Outpatient clinic space limitations and social distancing guidelines may not allow for a family or support person at some locations. Patients can contact their appointment locations for information. Pediatric inpatients are permitted one parent or guardian per day. One parent or guardian may accompany a pediatric patient for all outpatient surgeries and procedures — except in the operating room — as well as to the emergency department and outpatient clinics. For labor and delivery, one support person is permitted per patient for the entire stay. All family and support people will be screened before they enter any Penn State Health facility; no one with COVID-19 symptoms will be allowed to enter. Everyone entering the facilities will also be required to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.

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