We Rebuild

Reopening updates: Centre County reports no new cases of COVID-19 for 4th consecutive day

CDT staff reports

Updated June 5, 2020 3:48 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.

Centre County reports no new cases of COVID-19 for 4th consecutive day

Centre County added no new cases of COVID-19 Friday, making it the fourth consecutive day the county’s total reported cases remained at 154 since March 20, according to the state Health Department.

There have been 74,385 cases of the new coronavirus reported as of noon Friday in Pennsylvania, an increase of 443 since noon Thursday. About 70% of patients have recovered, according to the DOH.

Patients are deemed recovered if a case was not reported as a death and is more than 30 past the date of a first positive test.

Friday is also the 26th consecutive day that single-day increases were below 1,000 — a decrease 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 also rose Friday, increasing by 69 to 5,886.

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 Bret Pallotto

12 more counties get Wolf’s green light to enter green phase

Gov. Tom Wolf will allow 12 more counties that are home to 1.3 million people to join the nearly 4 million who are now in the least-restrictive phase of his three-step pandemic reopening plan, even as he warned Friday of an outbreak in northwestern Pennsylvania.

Wolf said that the counties — Adams, Beaver, Carbon, Columbia, Cumberland, Juniata, Mifflin, Northumberland, Union, Wayne, Wyoming and York — can join the “green” phase of his stoplight-colored reopening plan next Friday.

Sixteen more counties entered the “green” phase Friday, joining 18 others. That means that gyms, barbers and hair salons can reopen, as can indoor dining at restaurants and bars. Overnight camps and organized youth sports can begin or resume, and gatherings of up to 250 people are allowed, although large demonstrations over the past week around Pennsylvania protesting police brutality routinely exceeded 250 people.

- The Associated Press

AAUW State College officially cancels annual sale, donates nearly 4,000 boxes of books

The American Association of University Women of State College has officially canceled its 2020 used book sale, officials announced Thursday. The sale, typically held in May, had previously been postponed to an unspecified date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the cancellation, the AAUW said it will still be able to help support local projects and scholarships for young women and girls in 2020 because of the proceeds garnered from last year’s sale. The group recently awarded $35,720 in grants to 10 local nonprofits that embody AAUW values. Additional mini-grants will be awarded this fall to girls and women studying STEM.

With the sale canceled, the AAUW offset the operating costs associated with the Used Book Workshop — where books are gathered, processed and stored for the sale — by selling nearly 4,000 boxes of the 2020 inventory to Midtown Scholars Book Store in Harrisburg.

- by Marley Parish

Penn State football players to begin phased return to campus starting Monday

Penn State football players will begin their return to campus next week, the athletic department announced Thursday in a press release.

The Nittany Lions will begin a phased return process, with the first phase including 75 players returning Monday, according to the release. Those players have begun a prescribed quarantine in preparation for their return to campus and will be tested and quarantined upon their return.

“Following CDC and local government guidelines,” the release states, “as well as tracking and implementing recommendations coming from the NCAA Sport Science Institute and the Big Ten Conference’s task force for Emerging Infectious Disease, the Penn State Athletics sports performance team developed in-depth protocols for the student-athletes and staff. Student-athlete feedback and concerns also were part of the development process.

“The protocols include wearing of masks, daily health screening and small group activities, as well as additional usage and sanitation regulations facilities, including carefully guided access to buildings.”

- by Jon Sauber

Will Penn State reopen in the fall? Based on new guidelines, it’s headed in the right direction

Penn State said late Wednesday it is on pace to meet, or exceed, all state guidelines on reopening universities by the fall — although it has not yet officially confirmed classes will take place in the fall.

The state Department of Education issued a 16-page set of guidelines earlier Wednesday that included checklists and various considerations. According to the document, Penn State is required to create an equivalent of a Health and Safety Plan that outlines how to mitigate the spread of the virus and how to resume in-person instruction — something the university has already been working on with three task force groups and 12 action groups.

- by Josh Moyer

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

Nursing homes in 37 counties will receive cellphones and tablets as part of a program to increase contact between residents and their family and friends. The Department of Aging and AARP Pennsylvania will provide the technology to skilled nursing facilities where resident advocates or staff members expressed a need and commitment to “support the appropriate use of the devices,” the Department of Aging said Friday. AristaCare at Hearthside in State College will receive one phone as part of the program. “The COVID-19 pandemic has forced visitation bans at long-term care facilities across Pennsylvania, effectively isolating residents from friends and family,” Bill Johnston-Walsh, AARP Pennsylvania state director, said in a release. “AARP is very pleased to be working with the Department of Aging to make cellphones and other technology available to help vulnerable older adults maintain critical lines of communication during this crisis.”
Restrictions in long-term care facilities will remain in effect for at least 28 days after a facility’s county enters the green phase, the Wolf administration said Friday. The Department of Health requires limits on vistors, restrictions on workers and other measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes. The Department of Human Services also has restricted visitors to its intermediate care faciltiies, assisted living faciltiies, state centers, state hospitals, youth development centers and youth forestry camps. Those who are served by those facilities tend to have chronic medical conditions and are at a higher risk of complications from COVID-19. Virtual communication has been encouraged, such as meeting through a glass door or window, using technology such as Skype, Zoom or Facebook, or via phone calls, emails, writing letters or texting. The Department of Aging’s ombudsman can assist families who are trying to reach loved ones in nursing homes during the pandemic as well as long-term care residents who have complaints.
Walmart and Quest Diagnostics will operate additional drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites across the state beginning Friday, Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said Wednesday.. The sites, which include one in Clearfield, will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Registration is required one day in advance at Quest’s patient portal. The site will be available for scheduling starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The tests will be provided at no cost to Pennsylvanians. The Clearfield testing site is at the Walmart Supercenter parking lot, 100 Supercenter Drive. Gov. Tom Wolf also announced that the state reached its testing goal for May with more than 283,000 results reported to the Health Department. The state’s 2% testing goal was met by more than 11%.
Dentists can again provide routine care, including cleanings, under guidance released Wednesday by the state Department of Health. Dental providers should follow protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ensure they have an appropriate level of personal protective equipment and supplies to support their volume of patients. All patients should be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before arriving at the practice and social distancing should be maintained at the practice.
Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday renewed the 90-day disaster declaration he signed March 6 after the state’s first COVID-19 cases. That declaration was scheduled to expire Thursday. “Pennsylvanians have done a tremendous job flattening the curve and case numbers continue to decrease,” Wolf said in a release. “Renewing the disaster declaration helps state agencies with resources and supports as we continue mitigation and recovery.”
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 interim Mayor Ron Filippelli in his weekly update video encouraged residents to go out and patronize local stores and restaurants as a thank you for doing their part to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. He also encouraged those business to make sure they comply with the new health and safety requirements.
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.

The Township bldg. will reopen on June 1st at 8:00am. Visitors are asked to wear a face covering & maintain social distancing from staff & other members of the public. If you are unable to wear a mask call us at 231-3021 & we will try to assist you. Our dropbox may still be used.
— College Township, PA (@CollegeTwpPA) May 29, 2020

Brush & Leaf Collection will occur on Monday, June 1. Please place brush and leaves curbside by 7:00 am.
— Ferguson Township PA (@FergusonTwpPA) May 29, 2020

Community feedback

The State College borough and Downtown Improvement District are seeking feedback from downtown business owners about different options for temporarily improving opportunities for outdoor commerce and the pedestrian environment to better to better enable safe social distancing. The survey will close at 5 p.m. Monday.
A survey is asking State College businesses about their needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery. The responses will guide the borough and Redevelopment Authority as they develop programs to help local businesses. The survey will close at 11:59 p.m. June 7 and can be found here. It was originally set to close Sunday.
Penn State has teamed up with local leaders for the Centre County COVID-19 Data 4 Action Project (Data 4 Action). The first initiative of the project is an anonymous survey, which will document how the pandemic is impacting Centre County residents’ lives and their experiences they as return to work and school. The survey launched Monday at Data4Action.psu.edu and can also be taken by phone from noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday at 753-4799. All adult Centre County residents are asked to complete the survey by June 12. For every 100 individuals who complete the survey, Penn State will make a $100 donation to the Centre County Food Pantries (serving residents throughout the county) and will donate up to $10,000.

Health care

The state Department of Health has distributed the fourth shipment of the drug remdesivir to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Hospitals received the drug based on the number of COVID-19 patients over a recent seven-day period and how many were on ventilators. “It is important to note that there is limited information on the safety and effectiveness of using remdesivir to treat people in the hospital with COVID-19,” Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said in a release. “However, it was shown in a clinical trial to shorten the recovery time in some people, which is why the Food and Drug Administration has authorized the emergency use of the medication for treatment.” Mount Nittany Medical Center was one of the 73 hospitals in the state to receive a new shipment of the drug, which is given to a patient through an IV once a day for up to 10 days.

Mount Nittany

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.

Geisinger

As the state reopens, Geisinger has updated its visitation policy, modifying routine, in-person visits to all hospitalized patients. Connecting with patients via phone calls, Facetime and Skype is still encouraged when possible. Visitors will be allowed for:

Patients undergoing surgery or procedures (one single-time visitor immediately after the procedure)
Patients who are medically unstable (one visitor)
Patients who are at the end of life (two visitors)
Delivering mothers (one support person)
Patients who are minors and those with limited decisional capacity (up to two parents or guardians)
Patients who have altered mental status, an intellectual, developmental or cognitive disability or a communication barrier (one visitor)
Patients with disruptive behavior, where a family member is key to their care (one visitor)

Approved visitors are subject to the following guidelines:

Be 18 years of age or older and in good health
Bring a form of identification
Not have symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, recent loss of taste or smell or flu-like illness suggestive of COVID-19
Not have active COVID-19 infection
Be symptom-free for at least 14 days if they previously had active COVID-19 infection
Complete health screening, including a temperature check, at the entrance before entry
Wear a mask at all times while in the facility
Respect social distancing guidelines of 6 feet from all others
Wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before entering and after leaving a patient’s room
Use the same entrance for entry into and exit from the hospital
Identify themselves and stay in designated areas (not travel throughout the facility)

Patients who have appointments at a Geisinger clinic, lab or emergency department may have one person accompany them. More information on Geisinger’s visitation policy can be found here.

Penn State Health

Penn State Health has revised visitation guidelines to allow patients who are negative for COVID-19 to be accompanied by a designated family member or support person. Family or support people — defined as those with a biological, legal or emotional relationship with the patient — must be 18 or older, unless they are the parent of a pediatric patient or the partner of a patient in labor. Adults who are inpatients or having outpatient surgery will be allowed one family or support person per day. Patients who require moderate sedation and a driver for outpatient procedures will also be allowed to bring along one family member or support person. Due to space constraints, family or support people cannot be with adult patients in emergency departments. Outpatient clinic space limitations and social distancing guidelines may not allow for a family or support person at some locations. Patients can contact their appointment locations for information. Pediatric inpatients are permitted one parent or guardian per day. One parent or guardian may accompany a pediatric patient for all outpatient surgeries and procedures — except in the operating room — as well as to the emergency department and outpatient clinics. For labor and delivery, one support person is permitted per patient for the entire stay. All family and support people will be screened before they enter any Penn State Health facility; no one with COVID-19 symptoms will be allowed to enter. Everyone entering the facilities will also be required to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.

Election updates

Centre County expects to have results from mail-in and absentee ballots from Tuesday’s primary election posted Friday afternoon.

UPDATE: On Election Day, we received 19,050 total absentee & mail-in ballots by the 8PM deadline. As of 7PM today, 10,900 ballots have been processed. Remaining absentee & mail-in ballots will be processed tomorrow & Friday.
— Centre County Government (@CentreCountyGov) June 4, 2020

DePasquale wins Democratic nomination to run for Congress

Eugene DePasquale, Pennsylvania’s outgoing state auditor general, has won the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, as vote-counting Friday in primary contests across the state ate up a fourth day.

DePasquale will challenge Perry in the Harrisburg-based 10th District, where Democrats believe they can unseat the four-term congressman, who won the district by fewer than 3 percentage points in 2018.

Meanwhile, many primary contests across Pennsylvania remained without a clear victor for a fourth straight day on Friday, as counties continued to tabulate an avalanche of mailed ballots under the debut of the state’s new vote-by-mail law.

- The Associated Press

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