Reopening updates: Centre County adds 8 new COVID-19 cases, while Pennsylvania adds 1,032

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 adds 8 new cases of COVID-19, while Pa. tops 1,000 new cases

There were eight new COVID-19-positive test results recorded in Centre County on Friday, the state Department of Health reported. Those eight cases are among 1,032 new cases reported statewide — another large increase as Gov. Tom Wolf tightens restrictions on bars and restaurants in an attempt to reverse the trend.

“As the state has put in place new mitigation efforts to offset recent case increases, we must renew our commitment to protecting against COVID-19 by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and following the requirements set forth in the orders for bars and restaurants, gatherings and telework,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a release. “Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach. However, we know the virus has not gone away as we see cases rise, so we must work together to stop another surge.”

Centre County’s eight new cases bring its total to 270 since the first case was reported March 20. Of that total, 248 are confirmed cases, and 22 probable. There have been 6,190 negative tests.

According to the DOH’s early warning dashboard, Centre County saw four more cases from July 10-16 than in the prior seven days. The positivity rate also increased (2.4% compared to 2.3%), as did the average daily COVID-19 hospitalizations (2.3 vs 0.9).

Pennsylvania has now had a total of 99,478 COVID-19 cases. The state estimates that 76% of 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 899,912 negative tests.

Allegheny and Philadelphia counties combined for 403 of the state’s new cases on Friday. In the past seven days, 141,307 tests were given out, and 5,579 came back positive. The state has a seven-day (July 10-16) positivity rate of 4.4%.

The state added 19 new deaths, for a total of 6,992 deaths attributed to COVID-19. The DOH reports nine deaths in Centre County, while the county coroner’s office has confirmed six.

Cases attributed to long-term care facilities in Centre County remain at 25 patients and 16 employees, as well as six deaths, across three facilities.

Here’s the breakdown of confirmed Centre County cases by ZIP code:

• 16801 (State College): 58
• 16823 (Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap): 50
• 16803 (State College): 42
• 16827 (Boalsburg): 14 (1 new)
• 16822 (Beech Creek): 12

• 16841 (Howard): 13 (1 new)

• 16870 (Port Matilda): 10
• 16875 (Spring Mills): 11 (2 new)

• 16828 (Centre Hall): 8

• 16686 (Tyrone): 7
• 16866 (Philipsburg): 7 (1 new)

• 16853 (Milesburg): 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 and does not identify exactly where a case occurred in a ZIP code that spans multiple counties.

- by Lauren Muthler

Restaurants to fight back; sports teams want fans in stands

As Pennsylvania approached 100,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Friday, restaurant and bar owners say they will fight back against Gov. Tom Wolf’s orders to further limit the number of patrons they’re allowed to serve at a time.

Wolf’s order this week to reduce occupancy at bars and restaurants from 50% to 25% will drive them out of business or into debt, restaurant owners said Friday, asserting his administration lacks the data to target them as the reason behind the spike in coronavirus cases in some parts of the state.

At a news conference outside a suburban Harrisburg restaurant, restaurant owners said they are laying off staff and taking yet another hit, with barely any notice before the governor announced new restrictions Wednesday.

“Here we are going into a weekend and he just drops the hammer on us,” said Matt Flinchbaugh, owner of Flinchy’s Restaurant & Bar, just a few miles from the state Capitol.

- Associated Press

Is PSU spending more than last year? What you should know about 2020-21 tuition freeze, budget

Penn State is moving forward with a proposed $7 billion operating budget — an increase over last year’s $6.8 billion — that accounts for an across-the-board tuition freeze, prorated room and board fees in the fall, and expenses related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

The Board of Trustees Committee on Finance, Business and Capital Planning voted unanimously Thursday to recommend the operating budget, which will almost certainly be formally approved by the full board Friday.

The university expects to operate under a deficit of less than $200 million for the fiscal year.

- by Josh Moyer

How will Gov. Tom Wolf’s targeted mitigation efforts affect Centre County businesses?

When Gov. Tom Wolf announced new COVID-19 mitigation efforts late Wednesday afternoon, Pennsylvania bar and restaurant owners had a few hours to adjust operations.

With some Pennsylvanians ignoring the masking mandate, traveling out-of-state and a “lack of national coordination,” Wolf said the new executive order was made in response to an increase in COVID-19 cases and places stricter regulations on indoor restaurant and bar operations.

Under the mandate, which took effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, businesses must limit indoor dining occupancy to 25%. Alcohol consumption is reserved for meals and carry-out, and nightclubs are prohibited from opening.The Pennsylvania Liquor Code defines a meal as “food prepared on the premises, sufficient to constitute breakfast, lunch or dinner” — not “a snack, such as pretzels, popcorn, chips or similar food.”

Takeout sales of alcohol are permitted but are subject to any limitations or restrictions imposed by state law.

Outdoor dining operations can remain unchanged, and outdoor social gatherings are still limited to 250 people.

- by Marley Parish

Penn State changes its plans: Nittany Lion Inn to be used as classroom space this fall

Penn State changed its plans for the Nittany Lion Inn this fall, the university announced Thursday.

The nearly 90-year-old building with 233 guest rooms is set to be used for additional classroom space and single-occupancy housing for on-campus students, who are scheduled to return Aug. 21.

The university as of June planned for the hotel to be used as an isolation space for students who may have contracted the new coronavirus. Eastview Terrace is now expected to serve as an isolation space.

- by Bret Pallotto

Pennsylvania news

• Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was down four-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 13.0 percent in June., according to the state Department of Labor & Industry on Thursday. Data collected for the June employment situation report was for the reference week of June 7 to 13. The national rate fell 2.2 percentage points from May’s level to 11.1 percent. The state’s unemployment rate increased by 8.7 percentage points from June 2019 while the national rate was up 7.4 points over the year.
• The Wolf administration released guidance on Thursday on safely reopening schools. It’s up to each school entity to determine if classes resume in person at school buildings, remotely or a combination of both options. The guidance includes masks at school and on the bus, at-home symptom screenings before leaving for school, 6 feet of distance maintained between desks, and classes held outside or in gyms or auditoriums when social distancing can’t be maintained.
• Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday the availability of $50 million in grant funding to help employers provide hazard pay to employees in life-sustaining occupations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible applicants may apply for grants at www.esa.dced.state.pa.us through July 31. Program inquiries may be directed to (717) 787-6245 or ra-dcedcbf@pa.gov.
• Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday announced availability of $10 million in grant funding through the COVID-19 Vaccines, Treatments, and Therapies (CV-VTT) program to support the rapid advancement of vaccines, treatments, and therapies by qualified biotechnology entities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Colleges and universities, for-profit companies, academic medical centers, nonprofit research institutions and economic development organizations are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is July 24.

Closings/cancellations

• The Snow Shoe Fall Festival Car Show set for Sept. 19 has been canceled.

Community outreach/appreciation

Things to do

Free food options

This story was originally published July 17, 2020 at 10:44 AM.