Reopening updates: Centre County adds 6 COVID-19 cases, and more updates for July 2
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.
Disinfectant fogging machine and more are part of Our Lady of Victory’s reopening plans
School might look different this fall, but Our Lady of Victory Catholic School in State College is working to make instruction “as normal as possible.”
Beginning Aug. 18, OLV students and staff will return for in-person learning. With a goal of providing both a safe and educational environment, the OLV Return to School Committee, chaired by student resource officer Terry Stec, released details to families earlier this week — following weeks of work by staff, parents and medical professionals.
“We will have all the safety measures in place for a healthy and safe environment for all students and teachers and staff,” Neil Dadey, OLV pastoral administrator, said in a statement.
-By Marley Parish
Centre County adds 6 COVID-19 cases
As cases of the coronavirus increase across Pennsylvania, Centre County added six new cases on Thursday, according to the state Department of Health. That brings Centre County’s total to 211 since March 20; 197 are confirmed, and 14 are probable.
DOH reported 832 new cases statewide, bringing the total to 88,074. There were 636 new cases statewide reported on Wednesday.
“Our latest data shows that the number of COVID-19 cases is increasing across the state,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement Thursday. “The virus has not gone away. Each of us has a responsibility to continue to protect ourselves, our loved ones and others by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and washing our hands frequently. Together we can protect our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our essential workers and our healthcare system.”
There were 25 new COVID-19-related deaths in Pennsylvania, bringing the total to 6,712. County-by-county death data has not yet updated Thursday afternoon.
In Centre County, here’s the breakdown by ZIP code (those without cases are not listed):
- 16823 (Bellefonte, Milesburg and Pleasant Gap): 46
- 16801 (State College): 44
16803 (State College): 39
16827 (Boalsburg): 12
- 16870 (Port Matilda): 9
16822 (Beech Creek): 11
- 16686 (Tyrone): 7
- 16841 (Howard): 7
- 16828 (Centre Hall): 5
16875 (Spring Mills): 5
- 16666, 16820, 16829, 16844, 16845, 16852, 16860, 16865, 16866, 16872, : 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
‘Unthinkable loss’: 21-year-old becomes 1st Penn State student to die of coronavirus
A 21-year-old Penn State student, who was in State College last month, died Tuesday of respiratory failure and COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, according to the university.
Juan Garcia, of Allentown, is the first known Penn State student death related to the coronavirus. The university announced his death Thursday morning, after hearing it from friends and family.
“We are profoundly saddened to learn about Juan’s untimely death during this pandemic,” Vice President for Student Affairs Damon Sims said in a written statement. “While I did not know Juan personally, we have learned through conversations with those closest to him that this young man had a remarkable spirit and was greatly loved.”
-By Josh Moyer
‘Complacency cannot be the norm.’ Pa. leaders expand mandatory masking in new order
Effective immediately, masks are now mandatory when leaving home, following an expansion of Pennsylvania’s business safety order.
Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine and Gov. Tom Wolf announced a new order Wednesday that takes mandatory masking at businesses and work sites one step further. The new order, which aims to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19, requires mandatory masking outside when unable to social distance, in public buildings and on public transportation.
“This mask-wearing order is essential to stopping the recent increase in COVID-19 cases we have seen in Pennsylvania,” Wolf said in a statement. “Those hot spots can be traced to situations where Pennsylvanians were not wearing masks or practicing social distancing — two practices that must be adhered to if we want to maintain the freedoms we have in place under our reopening.”
- by Marley Parish
Penn State has tested 102 student-athletes for COVID-19 with 0 positives, AD Sandy Barbour says
Penn State Athletics released its initial COVID-19 results for the department Wednesday afternoon. The Nittany Lions have tested 102 student-athletes for the virus since they began their phased return to campus in early June and none have tested positive, as of June 30.
Penn State Athletic Director Sandy Barbour announced the results on a conference call with the media Wednesday afternoon.
Barbour also announced future plans to release testing results every two weeks until students return to campus in late August.
- by Jon Sauber
July 4 will look different this year, but there are plenty of ways to celebrate in Centre County
Independence Day celebrations, set to represent one of the first shared experiences since March in Happy Valley, are almost here.
The Central Pennsylvania 4th Fest is scheduled to once again spearhead fireworks shows in the Centre Region, even though its traditional celebration was canceled.
The nonprofit plans to simultaneously light fireworks in four locations about 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Recommended viewing locations include the Nittany Mall, Hills Plaza, the shopping center along Colonnade Boulevard and the Science Park Road corridor.
Volunteers expect the displays to last about 12-15 minutes. An accompanying soundtrack is scheduled to be broadcast via radio — 99.5 WBUS, 93.7 WMAJ, 101.1 WFGE and 103.1 WAPY. Rain dates are scheduled for Friday and Sunday.
4th Fest has also planned a different kind of parade this year, calling on community members and organizations to submit videos for a virtual parade from 2-4 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/4thfestparade/.
- by Bret Pallotto
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This story was originally published July 2, 2020 at 8:44 AM.