Reopening updates: No new COVID-19 cases in Centre County, and other updates for June 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.
‘The right thing to do’: Why Centre County’s poll workers took part Tuesday in spite of COVID-19
Amy Kelchner, 62, knew working at the polls Tuesday meant an increased chance of contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Her husband might’ve been even more wary.
But, in the end, she still volunteered.
“I did weigh the risk,” said Kelchner, who worked in Precinct 2 at Bellefonte Area Middle School. “But I thought somebody has to do it. And I felt it was my civic responsibility.”
About 350 poll workers like Kelchner showed up at primary polls across Centre County on Tuesday, to help host the first U.S. election during a pandemic in about a century. Although the county has experienced just 22 new cases of the coronavirus over the last two weeks, meaning the risk of infection is minimal, that doesn’t mean the risk is at zero for poll workers who might deal with hundreds of voters.
- by Josh Moyer
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 154 since the first case was reported March 20.
There have been 72,894 cases of the coronavirus reported as of noon Tuesday in Pennsylvania, an increase of 712 since noon Monday. According to the DOH, about 67% of people who have tested positive, have recovered.
Tuesday is the 23rd consecutive day that single-day increases were below 1,000 a stark contrast from the April 9 peak of 1,989 new cases.
In Centre County, here’s the breakdown by ZIP code (those without cases are not listed):
- 16823 (Bellefonte, Milesburg and Pleasant Gap): 39
- 16801 (State College): 35
- 16803 (State College): 26
- 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 100 to 5,667.
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
Voting looks different for the Pa. primary. Here’s what to know in Centre County
Twenty-two thousand Centre County voters are expected to skip the polls at Tuesday’s primary election and vote by mail instead.
But those still casting ballots in person will find differences with voting amid the coronavirus pandemic, including consolidated polling place locations and increased safety precautions.
This year marks the first election that Pennsylvania voters can cast their vote by mail without needing to qualify for an absentee ballot. As of Monday, the Centre County Elections and Voter Registration Office received 15,028 returned mail-in ballots out of 22,070 total applications. There are 109,150 registered voters in Centre County.
- by Marley Parish
Pennsylvania primary begins amid unrest, pandemic
Pennsylvania is holding a primary election Tuesday amid civil unrest, a pandemic, the introduction of new voting machines in some counties and the debut of mail-in balloting that has pushed county election bureaus to their limits.
Polls opened at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
The result of the highest-profile contest on the ballot is a foregone conclusion, with President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden their presumptive party nominees.
There is only one competitive primary in the only three statewide races, for attorney general, auditor general and treasurer. That’s a six-way Democratic primary for the nomination to run for auditor general.
- Associated Press
Penn State’s Ag Progress Days canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
Penn State’s annual Ag Progress Days has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers announced Monday.
The exposition — which was scheduled for Aug. 11-13 — is one of many staple summer events that have been canceled due to the virus. Despite Centre County’s “green phase” status, Ag Progress Days Manager Jesse Darlington said the decision is in compliance with Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that prohibits gatherings of more than 250 people.
-by Marley Parish
Transportation
The Centre Area Transportation Authority will restore additional service on several routes starting Monday. CATA is not collecting fares and is requiring riders to wear a covering over their nose and mouth. Passengers are encouraged to board buses at the rear door, if able. Beginning Monday, the HM (Nittany Mall/Toftrees), K (Cato Park), N (Martin Street/Aaron Drive), P (Tussey Mountain), R (Waupelani Drive), V (Vairo Boulevard), W (Valley Vista), XB (Bellefonte) and XG (Pleasant Gap) routes, and the Blue Loop and Red Link will operate starting at 6 a.m. daily, including Saturdays. The NV (Havershire/Martin/Vairo/Toftrees) and RP (Waupelani/downtown) routes will be discontinued. Full route and schedule information is available at catabus.com/reduced-service.
CATAGo
Starting Monday, CATAGo will offer service in Bellefonte from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. There will be no service in Pleasant Gap.
CATARide
Starting Monday, CATARide will operate from 6 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Service outside these hours is limited to life-sustaining treatment such as dialysis and chemotherapy. Reservations for next-day trips can be made from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There is no service on Sundays.
CATA is asking riders who are negatively affected by service changes or have unmet transportation needs to call 238-CATA (2282) to share their concerns.
CATA is taking several safety precautions, including providing masks and face shields for frontline employees and staff, regularly cleaning and disinfecting high-touch services in vehicles and facilities, and screening employees to ensure their health.
“The No. 1 goal of CATA’s board of directors and employees is the health and safety of our customers and the general public,” Executive Director and CEO Louwana Oliva said in a news release. “We pledge to continue these efforts and to adjust as the experts release further guidance.”
- The state Department of Transportation has resumed driver’s skills tests at reopened Driver License Centers, the agency announced Tuesday. Customers whose tests were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic will receive priority in rescheduling by calling PennDOT at 717-412-5300. Other customers will be able to schedule a test in the appointment system starting June 20. Several safety modifications have been made to the test. For example, customers and accompanying drivers will be required to wear face masks during tests. In yellow phase counties, applicants will receive a basic health prescreening and will not be tested if they show COVID-19 symptoms. There will be no screening in green counties. Additionally, examiners must wear appropriate protective equipment. Resources are available at www.dmv.pa.gov.
Pennsylvania news
- Amid a surge of mail-in ballots and civil unrest, Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday signed an executive order Monday to extend the deadline for receiving mail-in ballots in Allegheny, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Those six counties are also included in the governor’s disaster declaration, signed in the wake of protests that have broken out nationwide in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Business updates
Local government
- State College Borough has announced several downtown parking changes as the county enters the green phase. On-street meters will continue to be free during daytime hours, but overnight parking at meters is not permitted, as meters are designated for short-term parking. The Pugh Street, Beaver Avenue and Fraser garages, along with the Beaver and Allen lots and McAllister Deck will be no charge and allow overnight parking. The regulations will be updated as the number of vehicles in downtown State College increases.
Health care
Mount Nittany Health reopened several outpatient lab services on Monday. Locations and hours include:
- Mount Nittany Health Penns Valley: 7:30 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday
- Mount Nittany Health Park Avenue: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Mount Nittany Health Blue Course Drive: 7:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Mount Nittany Health Philipsburg: 7:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 7:30-11:45 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
- Mount Nittany Health Bellefonte: 7:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 7:30-11:45 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
- Mount Nittany Medical Center: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Mount Nittany Health Mifflin County: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. and in the office for emergency needs
More information on increased safety procedures can be found at mountnittany.org/open.
Sports/recreation
Things to do
- The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Penn State moved its program online during the pandemic. The group offers courses, trips and activities for those 50 and older. OLLI’s summer course catalog is available online and registration began Monday. The summer semester begins June 15.
In a project called “Tying Us Together,” Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts organizers are calling for people to make friendship bracelets between now and July, sharing some with their friends and donating the remainder to the festival. Festival organizers will sell them at local retailers to support this year’s virtual Arts Festival, according to a news release.
- Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, 403 S. Allen St., Suite 205A, State College
- The Makery, 209 W. Calder Way, State College
- State College Framing Company & Gallery, 160 Rolling Ridge Drive, State College
- Art a la Carte, 107 S. Allegheny St., Bellefonte
A limited number of kits of embroidery floss and instructions are available at:
For more information, visit https://arts-festival.com/2020/05/tying-us-together/.
Community outreach/appreciation
Sheetz will end its children’s meal program Friday after serving about 600,000 free meals to children and families. The Kidz Meal Bagz program began in April to help customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Sheetz for the Kidz, an employee charity helping children, recently donated $620,000 to Feeding America. “I’m so proud of our employees who truly stepped up to make the Meal Bagz program happen, “ Sheetz President and COO Travis Sheetz said. “Their dedication to help the communities we serve made a real impact, providing over 600,000 meals to those in need.” Sheetz will continue to raise funds for Feeding America through the MySheetz app. Through June 30, for every 200 points a customer donates, Sheetz will donate $1 to the organization.
Free food options
This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 12:04 PM.