Reopening updates: Centre County adds 2 new cases of COVID-19, and other updates for Aug. 9
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Centre County adds 2 new cases of COVID-19
Centre County added two cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, the state Department of Health said, bringing the total to 372. Of the county’s cases, 333 are confirmed and 39 are probable. There have been 9,658 negative tests.
Pennsylvania’s case total grew by 760 to 118,852. There have been 1.23 million negative tests across the state.
The breakdown of confirmed Centre County cases by ZIP code is as follows, according to the DOH:
- 16801 (State College): 76
- 16823 (Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap): 63
- 16803 (State College): 49
- 16875 (Spring Mills): 20
- 16841 (Howard): 17
- 16866 (Philipsburg): 16
- 16827 (Boalsburg): 15
- 16870 (Port Matilda): 15
- 16822 (Beech Creek): 12
- 16828 (Centre Hall): 11
- 16686 (Tyrone): 10
- 16853 (Milesburg): 6
- 16865 (Pennsylvania Furnace): 5
- 16820 (Aaronsburg): 5
- 16854 (Millheim): 5
- 16666, 16802, 16804, 16829, 16832, 16844, 16845, 16851, 16852, 16860, 16868, 16872, 16874, 16877, 16882: 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.
The state reported one new death Sunday, bringing the total to 7,314. Ten deaths have been reported in Centre County.
The state dashboard shows no COVID-19 patients are hospitalized in the county.
- by Matt Hymowitz
Here’s what you should know about State College’s new ordinance, which fines non-mask wearers, others
A long-awaited — and controversial — State College borough ordinance related to the COVID-19 pandemic finally went into effect Wednesday afternoon. And, with it, have come plenty of questions.
The basics are relatively simple: Wear a mask in the borough, or get a $300 fine. Limit gathering sizes, or get a $300 fine. Don’t stand in long lines, or get a $300 fine. But there is also plenty of nuance to the local law passed unanimously by the State College Borough Council, and there are some exceptions to the basics.
Take a closer look at the new ordinance and what you should know if you live in the borough — whether you own a home or rent as a Penn State student — or plan to visit.
- by Josh Moyer
Centre County’s representatives, opponents share views on Pennsylvania’s response to COVID-19
As Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration has worked to balance community health and safety along with economic needs in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has received both praise and criticism.
While the state has largely been able to keep its virus case load under control and hospitals from being overwhelmed, Gov. Tom Wolf’s school closures in March, strict business restrictions and, most recently, the recommendation to delay high school and youth sports through Jan. 1 have drawn ire from state Republicans, and others.
With no in-person classes at Penn State this past spring and summer, and staple events such as Arts Fest and Grange Fair canceled, Centre County has seen a 92% decrease in tourism revenue and witnessed increased levels of unemployment and community need. Local, state and national leaders have pushed back against Wolf’s orders, saying that financial challenges will only worsen as restrictions cause irreparable harm to workers and families.
- by Marley Parish
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This story was originally published August 9, 2020 at 8:13 AM.