Reopening updates: Centre County reports 43 new COVID-19 cases, highest single-day increase

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 highest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases

Centre County reported 43 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, making it the highest single-day increase in the county, though the cause of the spike is unclear.

It brings the county’s overall total to 356 since March 20. According to the state Department of Health, Centre County has 324 confirmed cases and 32 probable cases; 7,754 tests have been negative.

Previously, Centre County’s highest single-day increase was 11 new cases.

Dr. Nirmal Joshi, chief medical officer at Mount Nittany Health, told the Centre Daily Times in an email Sunday that the health system noticed an “unusual spike in the number of positive test results” at the end of last week and immediately contacted the DOH.

“We are collaborating with the DOH to investigate this sudden spike and to coordinate additional testing of these individuals,” Joshi wrote. “We are expecting results to be returned in the next few days and we will continue to work closely with the Department of Health.”

Two COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized in Centre County, according to the DOH.

Centre County Commissioner Michael Pipe said he reached out to the DOH and governor’s office on Sunday for clarification about the spike and the possible role of asymptomatic cases in long-term care facilities, which had a Friday deadline to complete initial baseline testing as part of the state’s universal testing order for nursing homes. But it does not appear that was the cause of the increase, he said.

According to the DOH’s long term care facilities dashboard, 30 cases among residents and 18 cases among staff members are spread out over three Centre County facilities.

Centre County, like other areas of the country, has experienced delays in returned test results. But when asked Sunday about the county’s drastic increase, DOH spokesperson Maggi Mumma wrote in an email that statewide, “there were no delays in reporting or data dumps to contribute to the rise in cases.”

“Preventing the spread of COVID-19 is essential to protecting the health of Pennsylvanians,” Mumma wrote. “We are continually monitoring increases in COVID-19 cases happening in Pennsylvania. Even small case increases are concerning and are being watched very carefully.”

From the DOH’s map of ZIP code cases, it’s unclear where the bulk of the new cases are from. The breakdown of confirmed Centre County cases by ZIP code is as follows, according to the DOH:

• 16801 (State College): 68 (+4)
• 16823 (Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap): 57 (+4)
• 16803 (State College): 47 (+3)
• 16827 (Boalsburg): 15
• 16875 (Spring Mills): 15
• 16866 (Philipsburg): 15 (+1)
• 16841 (Howard): 14
• 16822 (Beech Creek): 12
• 16870 (Port Matilda): 12
• 16828 (Centre Hall): 10 (+2)
• 16686 (Tyrone): 8
• 16853 (Milesburg): 6
• 16666, 16802, 16820, 16829, 16832, 16844, 16845, 16851, 16852, 16854, 16860, 16865, 16868, 16872, 16874, 16877, 16882: 1-4 cases each.

The state does not give specific numbers when there are fewer than five cases to protect patient privacy and does not identify exactly where a case occurred in a ZIP code that spans multiple counties.

Mumma did not respond to a request for details about the discrepancies in the ZIP code data.

Pennsylvania reported 800 new positive cases on Sunday, bringing the overall total to 107,425. The state estimates 75% of cases are recovered.

“As the state has put in place new mitigation efforts to offset recent case increases, we must renew our commitment to protecting against COVID-19 by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and following the requirements set forth in the orders for bars and restaurants, gatherings and telework,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement. “Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach. However, we know the virus has not gone away as we see cases rise, so we must work together to stop another surge.”

Statewide, there are 7,118 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, with four new deaths reported. The DOH counts nine deaths in Centre County, while the coroner’s office has confirmed six.

-By Jessica McAllister

Bird feeder project aims to brighten the days of Centre County nursing home residents

A local project aims to bring joy to some of Centre County’s hardest hit residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is called the “Sponsor a Window” Bird Feeder project and its goal is to brighten up the days of people living in area long-term care facilities.

Project organizer Cindy Way works part-time at Hearthside Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in State College. Her inspiration for the project came from witnessing how COVID-19 restrictions are affecting residents. Since March, long-term care facilities have been closed to visitors, among other Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state Department of Health guidelines in place to protect the vulnerable population.

“We can’t do anything,” Way said. “We can’t do evening activities and our residents aren’t going out to eat in the dining room. We used to have 30 people doing puzzles and watching movies every night and now we can’t do any of that. So, I was trying to find something that they could enjoy.”

-By Stefanie Kempton

Why are some Centre County residents waiting weeks for COVID-19 test results?

Centre County residents are finding out that getting tested for COVID-19 is getting easier; the hard part is getting timely results.

Wanting to get tested for the coronavirus before visiting a loved one with cancer, Kimberly Del Bright and her husband scheduled an appointment for 12:30 p.m. July 13 at Mount Nittany Medical Center.

As of noon Thursday, they still had not received their results and had no idea when to expect them.

- by Marley Parish

Rural social clubs hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions fear it’s the community that suffers most

With new restrictions on alcohol service and restaurant and bar capacity in Pennsylvania, social clubs — sometimes the only community gathering place in rural areas — are finding Gov. Tom Wolf’s new executive order not only affects their bottom line but the community’s well-being.

In the Mountaintop area of Centre County, home to roughly 2,900 people, social clubs attached to veterans’ organizations and other community groups are the only places that serve alcohol in a bar setting. Beyond that, they function as important social gathering places for community members and as charities that support everything from local baseball leagues to food drives.

Under the new order, Pennsylvania bars and restaurants must limit indoor dining occupancy to 25%, and alcohol consumption is reserved for meals and carry-out only. Nightclubs are also prohibited from conducting operations.

“Fortunately for us, we have done well with the VFW in the last couple years, but this year it’s not making any money. We’re losing money as we go,” said Mike Guenot, post commander for the Snow Shoe VFW Post 5644.

- by Sarah Paez for the CDT

State College updates fall reopening options, extends deadline for families to decide

After hearing community concerns, the State College Area School District updated its reopening plan to include synchronous remote learning and extended deadlines for families to choose between online and in-person learning.

State College families, including those whose children attend the Delta Program, now have until Monday to select from a series of remote and in-person educational plans. The one-week extension follows a petition signed by nearly 300 parents, students, staff and alumni who voiced concern with SCASD’s initial reopening plan, which gave families the option to choose between in-person or asynchronous online learning through its virtual academy.

- by Marley Parish

Penn State

• A Penn State COVID-19 task force has released initial recommendations on the use of personal protective equipment in campus classrooms and laboratories. The first round of recommendations are now available on the Keep Teaching website for Penn State instructors teaching in-person and mixed-mode classes this fall. The general recommendation, based on testing, is for instructors to wear a procedure mask with sound amplification while teaching in the general classroom setting to best facilitate both in-person intelligibility and remote learning. Limiting activities that require interactions of closer than 6 feet is also recommended, and such interactions should be kept within a cumulative 10-minute window, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

• The Centre Area Transportation Authority announced its operational plan for the fall semester, which includes the suspension of the Blue and White Loops campus transit services, as well as no service on Sundays. CATA services will begin at 6 a.m. and end no later than 12:30 a.m. each day, with reduced service between 10 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. CATA will continue to operate the Red Link and Green Link campus routes, with additional service to be added to the Green Link. Penn State Transportation Services will also continue to operate its two Campus Shuttle routes, though with reduced capacity.

Municipal updates

• State College is extending its free on and off-street parking program to Aug. 17 in an effort to continue supporting downtown businesses and visitors during the pandemic, according to a Friday news release.

Things to do

• Downtown Bellefonte will hold a Friday in the ‘Fonte celebration on July 31, with two pop-up outdoor dining spaces, as well as a Sidewalk Sale. The monthly event aims to support Bellefonte’s shopping, dining, craft beverage producers and more and is held on the last Friday of each month.

Free food options

This story was originally published July 26, 2020 at 9:01 AM.