Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 17

We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in Centre County. Check back for updates.

Wolf offers ‘framework,’ few details for reopening state

Pennsylvania will gradually reopen its economy using a “regional, sector-based approach” and a modeling tool that will help public officials decide when it’s safe, according to a plan outlined Friday by Gov. Tom Wolf.

The plan offered few details. It does not include a timetable or spell out the metrics that Wolf and his administration will use to decide that Pennsylvania can begin emerging from the coronavirus pandemic after weeks of social distancing.

Wolf called the plan a “framework” and said he would lay out more concrete steps next week.

- Associated Press

Centre County reports its first death from the coronavirus

Centre County’s first reported death from the coronavirus was confirmed by the state Department of Health Friday. The patient was being treated at Mount Nittany Medical Center, a spokeswoman said.

No new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the county Friday. Centre County has 73 confirmed coronavirus cases. There are 29,441 cases in statewide.

In a news release Friday evening, Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers said he was notified of the COVID-19 death on Thursday. The inpatient at Mount Nittany Medical Center was an 89-year-old man, he said. The man’s name was not released.

- by Marley Parish

Arts Fest, other staple Centre County summer festivals canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic

For the first time in their history, Centre County’s hallmark summer events will not happen this year, organizers announced Friday.

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, along with organizers of Central PA 4th Fest, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, People’s Choice Festival and Philipsburg Heritage Days, announced that the staple events have been canceled for 2020 due to the coronavirus and public health concerns.

“It’s a gut-punch. It chokes me up,” John Madison, co-director of Boalsburg’s People’s Choice Festival, said. “These festivals mean a lot to a lot of people around here, and it’s just going to be tough, but we will be back.”

- by Marley Parish

‘Everybody feels an emptiness.’ Impact of quiet Blue-White weekend to be felt across Centre County

At this time last year, Happy Valley was buzzing with activity ahead of Penn State football’s annual Blue-White Game.

College Avenue in downtown State College was lined with cars as groups of the thousands of alumni and fans who descend on the town each year walked the sidewalks, browsing through racks of blue-and-white apparel and returning to their favorite college watering holes.

Students, taking a break from studying, could be seen tossing a Frisbee on the Old Main lawn, or on the patio at Cafe 210 West, trying to get their names engraved in history.

This year, the streets will be quiet. The bars will be closed and nobody will be eating in restaurants.

Beaver Stadium will be empty, and the grass fields outside the stadium will be bare as fans tailgate virtually.

As the novel coronavirus pandemic has turned every aspect of life on its head for millions across the globe, Blue-White weekend is a stark reminder of just how much has changed in Centre County.

- by CDT staff

Closings/cancellations

• Central PA 4th Fest, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, People’s Choice Festival and Philipsburg Heritage Days will all be canceled this year due to coronavirus concerns.
• The annual Lezzer Lumber High School All-Star Game has been canceled, the Central Pennsylvania Football Coaches announced Wednesday evening. The CPFC also decided to postpone the 2020 combine slated to be held this spring at Bald Eagle Area High School, as well as the annual golf outing. The group hopes to reschedule both events for later in the summer.

• All Centre Region Parks and Recreation offices, including Millbrook Marsh Nature Center and the Active Adult Center, are closed until further notice. All Spring programs and events, including State College Area Municipal Band concerts, have been canceled or postponed.

Community outreach/appreciation

• PIAA member schools, including Bald Eagle Area, Penns Valley and Bellefonte, will be lighting up their stadiums from 8:20 to 8:40 p.m. (20:20 in military time) Friday to honor front-line workers such as medical professionals, first responders, truck drivers and grocery store workers, as well as the class of 2020. The scoreboard will display a score of 20-20 and a down and distance of 4th and 19, to show COVID-19 is on its “final down.” Students and supporting residents are encouraged to turn their porch lights on at that time, use noise makers, shake pompoms and post their photos on social media. However, nobody is permitted to be on school grounds. BEA will stream the event live on its Eagle Ambassadors YouTube page, and the BASD Sports Facebook page hopes to go live.

Health care

• Penn State Health enrolled its first COVID-19 positive patient in an experimental treatment plan called convalescent plasma therapy. The treatment involves giving patients an infusion of plasma from people who have recovered from an infection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused COVID-19. Patients at both Penn State Health hospitals are eligible to be screened for participation in the treatment.

Regional services

• Centre Area Transportation Authorities reminds customers that effective Monday, anyone utilizing it services is required to wear a mask, in line with Gov. Tom Wolf’s recent order requiring public masking. The State College borough health office also issued additional guidance on what the order means locally. Among other protocols, the order requires customers and employees at all operating life-sustaining business to wear masks. Those who don’t comply can be subject to citations, fines or license suspension.

Things to do

• In lieu of the annual Blue-White Game, Penn State Athletics announced it will be hosting a virtual tailgate from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday. Fans are encouraged to host their own virtual tailgates, wear white and interact with exclusive content across Penn State football digital channels. Fans can register their virtual tailgates here for the chance to have a member of the coaching staff, former student-athletes or the Nittany Lion mascot join in on their video conference.
• The Penn State All-Sports Museum will be hosting a virtual chat at 1:30 p.m. Friday with former Nittany Lion athletes Maggie Harding (women’s volleyball, 2014) and Jim Nelson (football, 1997). Register for the event at https://bit.ly/3cjBsvC.
• In the spirit of the Blue-White Game, the Penn State Alumni Association will be hosting a live Q&A panel on its Facebook page at 1 p.m. Saturday with football lettermen Tom Pancoast, Freddie Scott, Lee Rubin and Jim Nelson.

• Pennsylvania 4-H is offering new in-home activities to keep children engaged. The Inspire Kids to Do Home Activities program encourages self-learning using household items. Projects will be added throughout the month.

Free meal options

• The State College Area School District is offering free meal kits each Wednesday at the high school parking lot for children ages 18 and younger. The weekly meal kits will have enough food for breakfast and lunch for five. days. Families who are interested in the service are asked to place an order by 8 a.m. each Monday by filling out an online form. A limited number of meals will be available on a first-come-first-served basis for those who did not order ahead of time.
• The YMCA of Centre County is continuing to provide free bags of food for children 18 years and younger through its Anti-Hunger program. Drive-thru locations throughout the county and pickup times can be found on the YMCA’s website, as well as how to donate.
• The YMCA of Centre County holds a soup drive-thru for veterans and seniors. The location of the next drive-thru will be posted at www.ymcaofcentrecounty.org/ymca/anti-hunger-program-updates.
• The YMCA of Centre County distributes larger bags of food for families to use over the weekend and meals for seniors and veterans at a family site in Centre Hall. The food is handed out noon to 2 p.m. Fridays at Progress Grange, 217 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
  
  
• Sheetz is expanding its Kidz Meal Bagz program to all its locations. The free meal bags include a turkey sandwich, chips and a drink and are given out on a first-come-first serve basis. Families interested in taking advantage of the program can talk to an employee at a register. One bag will be offered per child.

This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 11:28 AM.