Reopening updates: Centre County adds 2 new cases of COVID-19, and other updates for July 8
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.
What Centre County businesses received COVID-19 aid, and how much did they get? Here’s a closer look
More than 1,400 Centre County businesses received a combined total of more than $135 million in funding from the Paycheck Protection Program, based on data released Monday by the Small Business Administration and Treasury Department.
Exact numbers are difficult to come by since more than 140,000 businesses in Pennsylvania received the loans, which were part of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act, the major coronavirus relief package passed by Congress in the spring. But the Centre Daily Times combed through several databases, gleaning information involving businesses from every listed area in the county with a population above 1,000.
Among the findings? Four businesses received between $5 million and $10 million — AccuWeather, Best Line and Minitab in State College; Restek in Bellefonte — while 24 more received at least $1 million. There are several ways the loan can be forgiven but, essentially, borrowers won’t have to repay the loans if they’re used toward payroll.
-by Josh Moyer
Pennsylvania holds off on new pandemic restrictions
Pittsburgh and the rest of Allegheny County reported a near-record number of new coronavirus infections Wednesday as state health officials expressed concern about the situation in southwestern Pennsylvania, but made no move to reimpose pandemic restrictions in border counties that are also seeing increased spread.
Infections are rising sharply in border counties like Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland, and Pennsylvania’s health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, had signaled that mitigation measures were on the way, according to local officials who spoke with her. But Levine’s spokesperson said nothing was imminent.
- The Associated Press
Pressure builds as Pennsylvania eviction moratorium nears end
The administration of Gov. Tom Wolf is facing more calls to extend a moratorium on evictions that is set to expire Friday.
A coalition of 55 advocacy groups sent a letter to Wolf on Wednesday urging him to extend the moratorium indefinitely, warning of a “massive wave” of evictions and homelessness if it is allowed to lapse.
Landlords have been waging a legal fight against the moratorium, saying they are hard-pressed to keep up with taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance and mortgage payments without the ability to enforce lease agreements.
- The Associated Press
Centre County reports 2 new cases of COVID-19
Centre County reported two new positive cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, while Pennsylvania added 849, according to the state Department of Health.
The two additional cases bring Centre County’s total to 232 since March 20. Of those cases, 216 have been confirmed and 16 are probable, per the DOH. The county has now reported 31 new cases in July.
Pennsylvania’s statewide total now stands at 92,148. The state estimates that 77% of those patients have recovered. The DOH calculates recoveries based on whether a case has not been recorded as a death and is more than 30 days past the date of their first positive test or onset of symptoms. There have been 774,378 negative tests.
The state added 25 new COVID-19-related deaths on Wednesday, bringing its total to 6,812. The DOH reported eight deaths in Centre County, while the coroner’s office has only confirmed six.
Allegheny County reported a near-record of new infections, according to The Associated Press, with 230 new cases.
Cases associated with nursing and personal care homes remain unchanged in Centre County on Wednesday. The county has has recorded 23 cases among residents and 14 among employees, as well as six deaths, in two facilities, according to DOH data.
In Centre County, here’s the breakdown by ZIP code:
- 16801 (State College): 51
- 16823 (Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap): 47
- 16803 (State College): 41
- 16827 (Boalsburg): 12
- 16822 (Beech Creek): 11
- 16870 (Port Matilda): 9
- 16841 (Howard): 9
- 16875 (Spring Mills): 9
- 16686 (Tyrone): 7
- 16828 (Centre Hall): 6
- 16853 (Milesburg): 6
- 16666, 16820, 16829, 16844, 16845, 16851, 16852, 16860, 16865, 16866, 16868, 16872: 1-4 cases each (The state does not give specific numbers when there are fewer than five cases to protect patient privacy. The state does not identify exactly where a case occurred in a ZIP code that spans multiple counties.)
- by Lauren Muthler
Penn State IFC bans all social activities at frats in response to COVID-19 pandemic
The Penn State Interfraternity Council has banned social activities at all fraternity chapters at the university indefinitely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Penn State IFC, which is the governing body for all the 37 active fraternity chapters at the university, announced the decision Tuesday following a vote that involved all chapter presidents. In a release from the IFC executive board, the organization said its members and the university believe it is the best way to “support the health and safety of our community.”
There is no set date for when restrictions will be lifted, but IFC plans to work “closely” with the university to phase Greek organizations out of the moratorium.
- by Marley Parish
Pennsylvania tries luck again in mini-casino license auction
Pennsylvania will again seek to auction a mini-casino license on Sept. 2, under orders from state lawmakers in search of cash for a treasury starved of tax collections from shutdowns to contain the coronavirus.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on Wednesday scheduled the auction after budget legislation that passed in May required another auction.
exclusion zones around the 17 existing and proposed casino sites have rendered Pennsylvania’s largest metropolitan areas off-limits. That leaves bidders with a choice of rural northern Pennsylvania, a stretch along the Ohio border between Pittsburgh and Erie, and a handful of smaller cities, including Altoona, Williamsport and State College.
- The Associated Press
Arts Fest friendship bracelet tradition continues with ‘Tying Us Together’ project
Friendship bracelets — the colorful pattern of strings that for many of us were part of growing up — have a new meaning this summer thanks to the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.
The bracelets are usually part of the Children and Youth Sidewalk sale, which had been scheduled to take place Wednesday before the COVID-19 pandemic turned the entire fest into a virtual event.
Festival Executive Director Rick Bryant came up with the idea for the “Tying Us Together” project, which encouraged community members of all ages to make bracelets to share with people in their lives during social distancing times. The festival also asked for donated bracelets to sell throughout town as a fundraiser.
- by Abby Drey
Bellefonte Borough, Centre County commissioners approve resolutions to endorse mandatory masking
Councilwoman Deborah Cleeton said she’s noticed relaxed COVID-19 mitigation efforts in downtown Bellefonte, but she hopes that will change following unanimous approval of a resolution that endorses mandatory masking.
The Bellefonte Borough Council approved its resolution Monday and the Centre County board of commissioners approved a similar resolution, which had been introduced last week, on Tuesday. Both resolutions aim to slow the spread of the coronavirus, a disease that is transmitted through respiratory droplets.
The decisions follow last week’s expansion of the Pennsylvania business safety order from Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine and Gov. Tom Wolf, which requires masks be worn when leaving home.
- by Marley Parish
Help for child care providers, arts groups
The administration of Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday announced additional federal money for child care providers and arts organizations that have been impacted by the pandemic.
Child care providers are getting an additional $53 million from Pennsylvania’s share of the federal coronavirus relief package. The money will be distributed this month.
The Wolf administration also said that more than 300 nonprofit arts organizations in Pennsylvania will get a total of $2.3 million in grant money from the federal coronavirus relief package. The National Endowment for the Arts sent $1.8 million to 36 arts organizations, and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts distributed the remaining $527,000 to 273 organizations.
In Centre County, The State Theatre and Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts each received a $1,930 grant from the arts council. The Millbrook Playhouse in Clinton County also received a grant.
- staff and AP reports
Penn State
- As fall nears and Penn State’s 16 task forces continue to work through various scenarios and aspects for how to deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, more COVID-19-related directives and restrictions have emerged. Among those recent directives, employee and visitor meetings of more than 10 but less than 250 people must be submitted for a approval. Existing visiting scholars whose applications have already been approved and have a visa stamp can come to Penn State as planned, but the university is not accepting new visiting scholar applications until further notice. University faculty and staff are asked to limit travel this summer, and must seek approval for university-affiliated domestic travel, including air travel. New classroom guidance for students, faculty and staff includes required face masks and social distancing. Faculty members are asked to refer students who don’t comply with guidelines to the Office of Student Conduct.
Campus check-in
- Stanford will eliminate 11 varsity sports programs after the 2020-21 academic year. The affected programs are men’s and women’s fencing, field hockey, lightweight rowing, men’s rowing, co-ed and women’s sailing, squash, synchronized swimming, men’s volleyball and wrestling.
Northwestern’s game against Wisconsin scheduled for Nov. 7 at Wrigley Field is being moved on campus to Ryan Field because of uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Northwestern announced the decision Wednesday after consulting with the Chicago Cubs, state and local authorities and the Big Ten Conference.
North Carolina says it has paused voluntary football workouts for at least a week after reporting 37 positive test results for the new coronavirus among school athletes, coaches and staff. The school announced results Wednesday following 429 tests administered to athletes, coaches and athletics staff as they began returning to campus last month.
The Ivy League on Wednesday became the first Division I conference to say it will not play sports this fall because of the coronavirus pandemic, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. The league left open the possibility of moving some seasons to the spring if the outbreak is better controlled by then. The decision was described to the AP by a person speaking on the condition of anonymity in advance of the official announcement.
Pennsylvania news
- Both of Pennsylvania’s U.S. senators have issued support for Gov. Tom Wolf’s mask-wearing order. “When you wear a mask, you are sending a clear message to others in your community that you care about them and their well-being as much as your own,” Democratic Sen. Bob Casey said in a news release form the governor’s office. Added Republican Sen. Pat Toomey: “Put simply, wearing a mask is an important step that we, as Pennsylvanians, can take to protect one another — as my mask protects you, and your mask protects me.”
Community outreach/appreciation
Things to do
Free food options
This story was originally published July 8, 2020 at 10:20 AM.