Reopening updates: Pa. adds 1,027 new COVID-19 cases as Centre County adds 6

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 6 new COVID-19 cases; Pa. adds 1,027

Pennsylvania added 1,027 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, according to the state Department of Health, with six of those coming from Centre County.

That brings the state’s overall total to 102,765 in all 67 counties. There are 7,038 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 20 new deaths from Monday.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

• 1% are ages 0-4;
• 1% are ages 5-12;
• Nearly 3% are ages 13-18;
• Nearly 9% are ages 19-24;
• 37% are ages 25-49;
• 23% are ages 50-64; and
• 25% are ages 65 or older.

Centre County has now had 294 cases since the first was reported March 20. Of those, 270 are confirmed and 24 are probable. There have been 6,739 negative tests.

The DOH counts nine deaths in Centre County, while the county coroner’s office has confirmed six.

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

• 16801 (State College): 63
• 16823 (Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap): 52
• 16803 (State College): 43
• 16827 (Boalsburg): 14

• 16841 (Howard): 14

• 16822 (Beech Creek): 12

• 16870 (Port Matilda): 11
• 16875 (Spring Mills): 12

• 16866 (Philipsburg): 13

• 16828 (Centre Hall): 8

• 16686 (Tyrone): 8

• 16853 (Milesburg): 6

• 16666, 16820, 16829, 16832, 16844, 16845, 16851, 16852, 16860, 16865, 16868, 16872, 16874, 16877: 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 Jessica McAllister

Centre County looks to fast-track financial assistance for businesses affected by latest Pa. order

Centre County businesses affected by Pennsylvania’s new restrictions could soon receive financial assistance as the board of commissioners looks to fast-track its COVID-19 relief block grant.

In response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s targeted coronavirus mitigation efforts that took effect last week, the commissioners wanted to offer support to local bars and restaurants that would be affected by the strict regulations, which include limited dining occupancy and regulations on alcohol consumption.

On Tuesday, commissioners Michael Pipe, Mark Higgins and Steve Dershem discussed how the county plans to streamline the grant program and application process to ensure Centre County business owners have some financial support amid the coronavirus pandemic.

- by Marley Parish

State College announces move-in dates, traffic patterns for downtown apartments — not without debate

State College will partially close off several roads and alter traffic patterns in August to better allow Penn State students to move in to downtown apartments, as it does every year — but the move wasn’t without debate Monday by the borough council.

Councilman Evan Myers wanted to know what move-in plans and provisions the apartment complexes had to prevent a breakout of COVID-19. Although few specifics were offered Monday, both the borough manager and assistant borough manager emphasized that apartments requesting closures must have a COVID-19 safety plan approved by the local health board.

Plus, they added, voting “no” on such a measure — having no such road closures or traffic changes — wouldn’t make the borough any safer.

- by Josh Moyer

Penns Valley Area School District creates new online option as part of reopening plans

Penns Valley Area School District families will select between in-person classes and online learning before returning to school next month.

Over several weeks, nine committees worked to develop the Penns Valley health and safety plan for the 2020-21 school year — taking into account staff and parent concerns and guidance from health professionals. The plan was adopted at last week’s board of directors meeting and includes learning policies for each phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan.

“This plan was developed in consultation with health professionals, and it was also developed in consultation with subcontractors and educators,” Superintendent Brian Griffith said in a video to district families.

- by Marley Parish

Penn State’s return to campus plan puts lives in danger, student group says. They want changes

The path to bringing back nearly 48,000 students and about 22,000 employees to Penn State and the broader Happy Valley community in the midst of a pandemic has been arduous.

About 30 people staged a “die-in” Monday on the Old Main lawn in protest of the university’s plan to resume in-person classes in about one month.

The demonstration — organized by the Coalition of Graduate Employees at Penn State — lasted 14 minutes, which was meant to represent the nearly 140,000 deaths attributed to the new coronavirus in the United States.

- by Bret Pallotto

Campus check-in

• The Southwestern Athletic Conference has postponed its fall athletic competition because of the COVID-19 pandemic and hopes to hold a shortened football season during the spring semester.

• The Mountain West has postponed its football virtual media days which were scheduled for July 27-29. The league didn’t say when the online event would take place, saying only that “any future decisions and announcements will take place at the appropriate time.”

• The University of Texas says it anticipates hosting football games this season at 50% capacity in the stands. Athletic Director Chris Del Conte emailed season ticket holders Monday telling them the school is following state guidelines on social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

• Rutgers University announced that all of its athletic venues will operate with 500 or fewer in attendance and safety precautions will be in place for those fans who come to sporting events there.

• The Pac-12 has postponed its football media days. The league said Monday the move is the result of the Pac-12’s decision to schedule league-only games this season and to delay mandatory athletic activities.

• The University of Louisville says it suspended men’s and women’s voluntary swimming activities for two weeks on Saturday after three members of the program tested positive for COVID-19.

• One University of Oklahoma women’s basketball player has tested positive for COVID-19, and a second player has been deemed a close contact. Oklahoma made the announcement in a news release on Monday. Both players are in quarantine off campus.

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This story was originally published July 21, 2020 at 10:02 AM.