We Rebuild

Reopening updates: Centre County reports 7 new COVID-19 cases, and other updates for June 12

CDT staff reports

Updated June 12, 2020 5:43 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.

Return-to-campus survey results show complexities involved in Penn State’s fall semester decision

While 86% of University Park students polled in a recent survey said they’re somewhat or very likely to return to Penn State — either in person or online — 14% of faculty reported being unwilling to return to face-to-face teaching under any circumstances and 26% were unwilling to return to face-to-face office hours.

With Penn State expected to make a decision on its fall semester by Monday, the results of the two university-issued surveys — one sent to a random sample of 16,864 students and the other to all 27,699 faculty and staff — published Friday provide a window into the complexities university leaders are navigating in reaching that decision.

The survey results are under review by university leadership and the coronavirus task force groups that are formulating plans for the fall semester.

- by Lauren Muthler

State College Spikes’ season ‘delayed indefinitely’ by COVID-19 pandemic

The State College Spikes will have to wait a bit longer to take the field for their 15th season.

The New York-Penn League announced Friday that the start of the season will be “delayed indefinitely” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league was scheduled to open Thursday, with the Spikes set to host the Williamsport Crosscutters.

“The league and its clubs will continue to monitor the situation and work with our Major League Baseball affiliates, while following the recommendations of public health officials and adhering to local reopening guidelines,” the NY-PL said in a statement. “As always, the health and safety of the New York-Penn League fans, players and staff members are our top priorities.”

- by Matt Hymowitz

Centre County adds 7 new cases of COVID-19

Seven new cases of COVID-19 were reported Friday in Centre County, the state Department of Health said, raising the county’s total to 165. Friday’s one-day case total is the highest since May 6. Pennsylvania now has 77,999 cases, including 686 new cases. Statewide, DOH estimates a 73% recovery rate.

In Centre County, here’s the breakdown by ZIP code (those without cases are not listed):

16823 (Bellefonte, Milesburg and Pleasant Gap): 40
16801 (State College): 35
16803 (State College): 35
16827 (Boalsburg): 9
16870 (Port Matilda): 9
16686 (Tyrone): 7
16666, 16822, 16828, 16841, 16844, 16845, 16852, 16860, 16865, 16866, 16872, 16875: 1-4 cases each (The state does not give specific numbers when there are fewer than five cases to protect patient privacy.)

There were 49 new deaths statewide, raising the total to 6,162. DOH continues to report seven Centre County residents have died of COVID-19.

- by Matt Hymowitz

Wolf asks Pennsylvania Supreme Court to uphold shutdown

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf asked the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Friday to intervene in his dispute with legislative Republicans who are trying to end pandemic restrictions he imposed in March to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

Republican majorities in the House and Senate, with a few Democrats in support, voted this week to end the state’s emergency disaster declaration that Wolf has used to shut down “non-life-sustaining” businesses, ban large gatherings and order people to stay at home.

Wolf asked the state’s high court to uphold the shutdown.

He said that his gradual reopening plan is working, pointing to a downward trend in the number of new virus infections in Pennsylvania even as cases rise in nearly half the states.

- Associated Press

Sacrifice will be key for Penn State football in getting — and staying — on the field this season

After having been at their respective homes since mid-March, 75 Penn State football players returned to campus — well, kind of — on Monday.

Those who have returned, after undergoing COVID-19 testing and physicals, have been put up in area hotels where they’ve been ordering delivery and quarantining until their first voluntary on-campus workout this coming Monday.

With players wearing masks and having to keep 6 feet apart, this certainly isn’t the typical start to summer training. But for the Nittany Lions’ players, they’re just excited to be back as a team — regardless of the COVID restrictions put in place.

“Everything is not going to be normal when you go back,” sophomore cornerback Keaton Ellis said. “I understand that and the team understands that, and we’re ready as players to make some sacrifices because that’s what it’s going to take to move forward. They have a good plan put in place and I believe we can get through this successfully.”

- by Lauren Muthler

NCAA proposal for extended college football preseason set

The NCAA football oversight committee Thursday finalized a plan for an extended preseason that would include an additional two weeks for teams to hold walk-throughs.

The proposed model goes to the Division I Council, which the NCAA said will act on it Wednesday. The proposal is expected to pass.

With the pandemic wiping out spring practice for most teams, along with the usual required summer activities for players such as weigh training and film study, a plan was needed to make up for the lost preparation time.

- Associated Press

Health care

Mount Nittany Health announced Thursday that it will relocate its COVID-19 test collection site from its Blue Course Drive location to the medical center parking garage beginning Monday. “As we safely resume services throughout the health system, we continue to take steps to ensure that our patients and community have access to resources needed during this time,” said Mount Nittany Physician Group’s Christopher Hester in a release. “You can be assured that we remain here for you, focused on your health and wellness, providing care in a way that keeps everyone safe.” The drive-thru site will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment to COVID-19 symptomatic patients of Mount Nittany Physician Group, Penn State Health or individual providers who have been directed to the site by their primary care provider.
As part of its new health and safety guidelines, Mount Nittany Health will now require all patients to undergo COVID-19 testing prior to surgery. This policy applies to any patient undergoing surgery or procedure in Mount Nittany Medical Center’s main surgical operating room, Mount Nittany Health Surgical Center and endoscopy procedures. Patients will be tested for the virus three days prior to surgery. More information on Mount Nittany’s reopening policies at mountnittany.org/open.

Penn State

Penn State announced Monday that all semester-long study abroad programs set for fall 2020 have been suspended. The decision was based on international travel advisories, potential health risk to self and others, national travel regulations and immigration support, academic and program modifications, and financial and planning issues, according to a release. Students who applied for education abroad programs will have their applications deactivated and the education abroad fee waived.
Penn State is making SAT/ACT score submissions optional for prospective students applying for admission for summer or fall 2021 semesters, the university announced Monday. “We are making this change to give Penn State applicants a choice that will ease the anxiety that many future students and families are experiencing as a result of test-taking disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Vince Timbers, interim executive director of admissions, in a release. Penn State’s application for summer/fall 2021 will be open for future undergraduate students starting Aug. 1.
Penn State’s board of trustees voted Tuesday to defer its election of officers — such as the chairman — until after the usual July meeting because of the group’s inability to meet in person due to concerns surrounding COVID-19. The officers will be determined in-person sometime before Nov. 13, on a date determined by the board’s secretary. The resolution was passed unanimously early Tuesday evening. Until the election, all incumbent officers will continue to hold office.
Penn State on Friday released the results from surveys sent to students and to faculty and staff to gauge their perceptions and attitudes about a possible return to campus. Overall, the results show that both students and faculty and staff largely support COVID-19 mitigation efforts such as wearing masks and social distancing. The student survey was sent to a random sample of 16,864 students, which included a mix of undergrad, grad and professional students from University Park and eight other campuses. It had a 35.5% response rate. The results show that 86% of University Park students who responded are somewhat or very likely to return to Penn State either in person or remotely, while 11.8% don’t know or are undecided. While the results showed students are generally worried about the impact of COVID-19 on themselves, they’re more worried about its effect on their family and friends. Approximately 81% of University Park students are worried about the virus’ effect on their family and friends, and about 76% are worried about its effect on Penn State’s campus and the surrounding community. Of the University Park students who responded, 81% said they’d be somewhat or very likely to wear a mask in the classroom, 76.9% said they’d maintain 6 feet of physical distance between others, 77.9% said they’d have their temperatures scanned upon entering a classroom, and 94.6% said they’d use hand sanitizer upon entering a classroom. The other survey was sent out to all 27,699 faculty and staff at Penn State, and had 16,057 individual responses, resulting in a response rate of 58%. “There are some questions and, not surprisingly, some anxiety about returning to work sites — and we understand that emotion and want to be able to support employees in the best ways we know how — by offering resources when needed and by communicating often,” Vice President for Human Resources Lorraine Goffe said. Employees who took the survey are largely supportive of the possible virus mitigation measures, such as testing, contact tracing, self-isolation/quarantine, hygiene protocols and social distancing outlined for return to work. Like the students, most faculty and staff reported feeling more worried about the virus’ impact on family and friends (88%) and the surrounding community (89%), than on themselves (75%).

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