Reopening updates: No new COVID-19 cases reported in Centre County, and more updates for June 30
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.
Commissioners move forward resolution to support mask wearing throughout Centre County
When Penn State students return to campus this fall, Centre County leaders hope they will be welcomed by a community that encourages, practices and enforces mandatory masking and follow suit.
“When we don’t wear the masks, we are really threatening the progress we’ve made as a community, especially when the students return,” Commissioner Michael Pipe said. “When we have the Penn State students returning, it is going to be very important that we, as a community, demonstrate and model good behavior.”
The board of commissioners is set to approve a resolution that encourages the continued wearing of face masks to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 — following a motion to move the item to next week’s consent agenda. Centre County has seen a steady decrease in its number of cases, but the pandemic still poses a threat across Pennsylvania, Pipe and Commissioner Mark Higgins said.
Commissioner Steve Dershem was not in attendance at Tuesday’s board meeting.
- by Marley Parish
Center for Performing Arts at Penn State will not have public performances this fall
The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State will not present public performances by artists during the fall semester due to state and university limitations on large gatherings, the organization announced Tuesday.
Eisenhower Auditorium, the center’s primary venue, is closed through December for $6.8 million in renovations and will not be available for performances.
Schwab Auditorium, the center’s other principal venue, lacks adequate space “to make it financially feasible to present performances with a drastically reduced seating capacity due to social distancing requirements,” Director George Trudeau said in a statement.
- by Bret Pallotto
No new COVID-19 cases in Centre County
For the second day in a row, the state Department of Health reported no new cases of COVID-19 in Centre County. The county’s case total remains at 201; 188 are confirmed and 13 are probable. There are 4,220 people reporting negative.
DOH reported 618 new cases in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, which raises the statewide total to 86,606.
The state continues to report seven Centre County deaths. Statewide, there were 35 new deaths, which brought the total to 6,649.
For a list of symptoms and a map of testing sites, visit the Health Department’s website.
- by Matt Hymowitz
Another top Centre County employer announces layoffs related to COVID-19
One of Centre County’s largest employers permanently laid off about 50 employees earlier this month due in part to business shutdown orders issued to mitigate the potential spread of the coronavirus.
Glenn O. Hawbaker announced the job cuts Friday, citing cuts to state transportation budgets and the suspension of several private and commercial construction projects.
“We will continue to service our customers as we adapt to this new business climate and maintain a safe, professional, customer service driven organization,” the company wrote in a Facebook post.
- by Bret Pallotto
Philadelphia to keep some virus restrictions as cases rise
Philadelphia is bringing a halt to its plans to allow indoor dining, bars, gyms and fitness centers to reopen, with officials saying Tuesday that the city is seeing rising case COVID-19 counts and could be affected by a growing epidemic elsewhere in the country.
The city’s health commissioner, Dr. Tom Farley, broke the bad news during a news conference ahead of its Friday target to lift more restrictions.
Farley pointed out that he had warned last week that if the city didn’t meet its targets for reductions in new infections that it would not lift some restrictions. Hospitalizations are not seeing a corresponding increase, but Farley said that is a lagging indicator.
- The Associated Press
‘We must remain vigilant.’ Centre County commissioners to discuss push for continued mask use
For months, Centre County has worked to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but a decline in new case numbers and steady reopening of businesses does not mean the pandemic has ended.
On Tuesday, the board of commissioners is set to discuss a resolution to support the continued wearing of masks to “save lives and bring back jobs,” Commissioner Michael Pipe said in a social media post. If adopted, the board will send a copy of the proposal to all 35 Centre County municipalities — encouraging each to pass similar resolutions or, if permitted, ordinances.
“As we’ve gone through this pandemic, our community has followed the science and the advice of experts on how best to survive this pandemic,” Pipe said. “But we must remain vigilant.”
- by Marley Parish
What will school look like this fall? State College plans options for in-person, virtual learning
Anticipating a fall reopening, the State College Area School District plans to offer families a choice between in-person or remote instruction.
As required by the state Department of Education, SCASD developed a preliminary health and safety plan to create a safe learning environment for students, faculty and staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking ahead to the 2020-21 school year, the district has created three committees tasked with developing a plan for health and safety, education and operations for in-school instruction — assuming Centre County stays in the “green phase” of reopening.
Taking guidance from health professionals, including SCASD nurses, the district health and safety plan may be reviewed online and commented on through Tuesday. The final plan will be sent to the board of directors for approval July 6.
- by Marley Parish
Campus check-in
- Grinnell College in Iowa says it will cancel football and other fall sports because of concerns about the coronavirus. The Division III school announced it would cancel sports including football, soccer, golf, cross-country and volleyball.
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This story was originally published June 30, 2020 at 10:28 AM.