Coronavirus

Reopening updates: Centre County has no new COVID-19 cases, and other updates for June 9

CDT staff reports

Updated June 9, 2020 6:06 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.

Out of the Cold: Centre County is seeking more volunteers as it extends its overnight shelter

Still serving a steady number of guests, Out of the Cold: Centre County is working to ensure the homeless continue to have a safe place to stay by extending its overnight shelter season.

The shelter season for overnight stays was scheduled to end in May, but with guests in need and limited resources due to COVID-19 and the statewide shutdown, the nonprofit has extended the evening shelter through June. But volunteers are needed to keep the program running.

OOTC3 issued a call for help on Facebook, requesting overnight volunteers to operate the shelter, located at the Meetinghouse on South Atherton Street, from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. every day of the week. Due to the pandemic, OOTC3 Program Manager Sarah Potter said the nonprofit shifted from its rotation of churches to the daytime shelter for overnight stays.

- Marley Parish

Some counting continues, a week after Pennsylvania’s primary

The counting from Pennsylvania’s first foray into mass voting by mail was wrapping up on Tuesday, a week after the primary, with the results of some of races still up in the air.

Elections officials in seven counties, which includes Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, were granted extra time to receive and tally the vote because of practical challenges posed by mass protests over police brutality.

The state says turnout was roughly 2.8 million voters, or 35%, with slightly more than half of all votes coming by mail under a new state law that permits mail-in ballots, no matter the reason. The primary was postponed from April 28 to June 2 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

- Associated Press

Centre County adds no new COVID-19 cases

Centre County added no new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, according to the state Department of Health, keeping the county’s total at 157 since the first case was reported March 20.

There have been 76,436 cases of the coronavirus reported as of noon Tuesday in Pennsylvania, an increase of 493 since noon Monday.

In Centre County, here’s the breakdown by ZIP code (those without cases are not listed):

16823 (Bellefonte, Milesburg and Pleasant Gap): 40
16801 (State College): 35
16803 (State College): 28
16827 (Boalsburg): 9
16870 (Port Matilda): 9
16686 (Tyrone): 6
16666, 16841, 16866, 16844, 16828, 16852, 16822: 1-4 cases each (Specific numbers not available)

The statewide death toll from the virus rose Tuesday, increasing by 61 to 6,014.

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 Jon Sauber

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

Health care

As part of its new health and safety guidelines, Mount Nittany Health will now require all patients to undergo COVID-19 testing prior to surgery. This policy applies to any patient undergoing surgery or procedure in Mount Nittany Medical Center’s main surgical operating room, Mount Nittany Health Surgical Center and endoscopy procedures. Patients will be tested for the virus three days prior to surgery. More information on Mount Nittany’s reopening policies at mountnittany.org/open.

Penn State

Penn State announced Monday that all semester-long study abroad programs set for fall 2020 have been suspended. The decision was based on international travel advisories, potential health risk to self and others, national travel regulations and immigration support, academic and program modifications, and financial and planning issues, according to a release. Students who applied for education abroad programs will have their applications deactivated and the education abroad fee waived.
Penn State is making SAT/ACT score submissions optional for prospective students applying for admission for summer or fall 2021 semesters, the university announced Monday. “We are making this change to give Penn State applicants a choice that will ease the anxiety that many future students and families are experiencing as a result of test-taking disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Vince Timbers, interim executive director of admissions, in a release. Penn State’s application for summer/fall 2021 will be open for future undergraduate students starting Aug. 1.
Penn State’s board of trustees voted Tuesday to defer its election of officers — such as the chairman — until after the usual July meeting because of the group’s inability to meet in person due to concerns surrounding COVID-19. The officers will be determined in-person sometime before Nov. 13, on a date determined by the board’s secretary. The resolution was passed unanimously early Tuesday evening. Until the election, all incumbent officers will continue to hold office.

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.”

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