Coronavirus

Reopening updates: Centre County adds 2 new cases of COVID-19, and other updates for June 15

By CDT news staff

Updated June 15, 2020 2:14 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.

2 new COVID-19 cases reported in Centre County

Centre County reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, according to the state Department of Health, bringing the county’s total to 171 since the first positive case was reported on March 20.

The state is also reporting six COVID-19 deaths in Centre County, after weeks of reporting seven. It’s unknown why the death was removed from the state’s website Monday, but the information is consistent with what the Centre County Coroner’s Office has reported. The six deaths confirmed by the coroner’s office are 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 on May 27.

Pennsylvania added 323 new cases, bringing its total up to 79,121. Statewide, the DOH estimates a 74% recovery rate. The state reported 28 new deaths, bringing its total to 6,243.

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

16823 (Bellefonte, Milesburg and Pleasant Gap): 41
16801 (State College): 35
16803 (State College): 35
16827 (Boalsburg): 10
16870 (Port Matilda): 9
16686 (Tyrone): 7
16822 (Beech Creek): 5
16666, 16828, 16841, 16844, 16845, 16852, 16860, 16865, 16866, 16872, 16875: 1-4 cases each (The state does not give specific numbers when there are fewer than five cases to protect patient privacy.)

- by Jessica McAllister

It’s official: Penn State announces in-person classes will resume for the fall semester

To the relief of students, downtown businesses and university employees, Penn State announced Sunday evening that it would officially resume in-person instruction for the fall semester.

Penn State initially suspended in-person classes March 11 during spring break, due to concerns surrounding COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Classes quickly moved online, and it was unknown until Sunday whether the fall semester would feature in-person instruction and a buzzing University Park campus.

Fall classes will start as originally scheduled on Aug. 24. But campus-based, residential instruction will end Friday, Nov. 20. The remainder of the semester — including final examinations — will be delivered remotely and online when classes resume after Thanksgiving break on Nov. 30 to minimize travel and the potential spread of the coronavirus.

-by Josh Moyer

More virus-test sites opening across northern Pennsylvania

Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration said Monday that more free coronavirus drive-thru testing sites will open in Walmart parking lots across northern Pennsylvania as it seeks to expand testing to areas where there is little available.

Nine more sites will open Wednesday at Walmart parking lots in Sayre, State College, Edinboro, New Castle, Grove City, Coal Township, Selinsgrove, Lewisburg and Mansfield, the administration said. That brings the total number of free coronavirus drive-thru testing sites in Walmart parking lots to 19, it said. The State College site will be at the North Atherton Street Walmart.

Patients must register one day in advance at Quest Diagnostics’ website. The testing sites will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

- Associated Press

Health care

A COVID-19 drive-thru testing site will open in the Walmart parking lot on North Atherton Street beginning Wednesday, according to a news release from Gov. Tom Wolf’s office. Quest Diagnostics and Walmart are working with the department to provide no-cost testing for residents living in areas where there are fewer testing sites. Starting Wednesday, the sites will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7-9 a.m. to test up to 50 registered patients daily. Registration is required one day in advance. For more information, visit https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Symptoms-Testing.aspx.
Mount Nittany Health announced Thursday that it will relocate its COVID-19 test collection site from its Blue Course Drive location to the medical center parking garage beginning Monday. “As we safely resume services throughout the health system, we continue to take steps to ensure that our patients and community have access to resources needed during this time,” said Mount Nittany Physician Group’s Christopher Hester in a release. “You can be assured that we remain here for you, focused on your health and wellness, providing care in a way that keeps everyone safe.” The drive-thru site will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment to COVID-19 symptomatic patients of Mount Nittany Physician Group, Penn State Health or individual providers who have been directed to the site by their primary care provider.
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’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.

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