Reopening updates: Centre County adds 8 COVID-19 cases, and other updates for July 13
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.
COVID-19 didn’t stop a traditional party weekend in State College. What will happen this fall?
The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts might have been held online this year, but that didn’t stop crowds of people from lining up at downtown bars on what is a traditional party weekend for students and alumni.
When Gov. Tom Wolf implemented the March statewide shutdown and Penn State announced classes would be conducted online for the remainder of the year, downtown State College was virtually empty. But now that communities are beginning to reopen and students prepare to return to campus this fall, questions remain about how best to enforce mandatory masking and social distancing.
Last week, Doggie’s Pub co-owner Kelley Trosko outlined some of the COVID-19 precautions the business has taken, including required face masks when walking around the pub and limited number of people at tables.
-By Marley Parish
Centre County adds 8 new COVID-19 cases
Eight new positive cases of COVID-19 were reported Monday in Centre County, according to the state Department of Health. That brings the county’s overall total to 251 since the first case was reported March 20.
According to the DOH, 229 cases are confirmed and 22 are probable; 5,704 patients have tested negative.
Statewide, there were 328 new cases Monday, bringing Pennsylvania’s overall total to 95,742. The state estimates that 77% of patients have recovered.
There were seven new deaths reported in Pennsylvania, bringing the total to 6,911. Eight deaths are reported in Centre County, though the coroner’s office has confirmed only six.
Here’s the breakdown of Centre County cases by ZIP code:
- 16801 (State College): 56
- 16823 (Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap): 49
- 16803 (State College): 42
- 16827 (Boalsburg): 12
- 16822 (Beech Creek): 12
- 16870 (Port Matilda): 9
- 16841 (Howard): 12
- 16875 (Spring Mills): 9
- 16686 (Tyrone): 7
- 16828 (Centre Hall): 6
- 16853 (Milesburg): 6
16866 (Philipsburg): 6
- 16666, 16820, 16829, 16844, 16845, 16851, 16852, 16860, 16865, 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 Jessica McAllister
Centre County jury selection, trials set to resume with some changes due to COVID-19
Centre County’s crawl back to full operations is scheduled to inch forward in late August when the Centre County Courthouse resumes jury selection and trials.
Several efforts to mitigate the potential spread of the new coronavirus are expected, including the shift of jury selection from the courthouse to the Presidents Hall at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.
The space is set to be partitioned, with about 65 potential jurors in each 5,000-square-foot room. Masks will be mandatory, the county wrote Monday in a press release.
-By Bret Pallotto
CATA rates will increase starting next month. Here’s what you need to know
Beginning next month, CATA riders will pay more for public transportation for the first time since 2017.
After eliminating fare charges in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centre Area Transportation Authority will reinstate bus fees on Aug. 1. CATA bus service and CATAGo rates will increase from $2 to $2.20, with a matching percentage increase to most other passes and fare media.
CATA Ride will see no increase in its rates.
-By Marley Parish
Patton Township supervisor promotes wearing face masks by encouraging photos, action
During a pandemic, no outfit is complete without one accessory — a mask.
That mindset is what inspired Anita Thies to create a public Facebook group, Caring Masks — Centre County. The group features pictures of those who wear masks and show how others are working to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“Wearing a mask shows you care about your own health and that of your friends and family, neighbors and community, schools and businesses,” said Thies, who is a Patton Township supervisor but created the page as a resident.
-By Marley Parish
Looking for a bike or kayak? They’re in high demand as Pa. residents turn to outdoor recreation
Athletes looking to stay in shape, those with trepidation of public spaces or transit, and Pennsylvanians who are simply tired of being cooped up during the coronavirus pandemic are turning to outdoor recreation in record numbers.
Bicycle sales in the Keystone State are up more than 120% in the past several months, while kayak sales are up about 85% over the same period of time, according to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Attendance at state parks increased in May by 1.5 million, up about 40% over the same time last year, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said Wednesday.
-By Bret Pallotto
Bald Eagle Area Athletics’ mask sale is raising money for local fire, EMS companies
When Bald Eagle Area Athletic Director Doug Dyke realized that people were in need of face masks and local fire and EMS companies were in need of funding amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he came up with an idea he thought could help with both issues.
Dyke began selling blue-and-gold masks with the BEA logo for $8 apiece to benefit the five fire and three EMS companies that serve the school district. As of early July, Dyke has sold over 2,400 masks to students, faculty, parents and community members.
Dyke attributes their popularity not only to the design, but also to the feel of the masks. They are lightweight and comfortable, especially during the summer months when people are worried about overheating.
-By Acacia Aster Broder
Business updates
Community outreach/appreciation
Things to do
Free food options
This story was originally published July 13, 2020 at 8:11 AM.