Reopening updates: Centre County adds 0 new cases of COVID-19, and other updates for Aug. 10
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date coronavirus news as Penn State and local schools prepare to reopen. Check back for updates.
Penn State football players, Franklin push back as Big Ten moves toward canceling season
Any optimism that Penn State will play football this fall has all but vanished as media reports piled up Monday afternoon that the Big Ten fall football season would be canceled.
Still, those within the Penn State football program haven’t given up on trying to save their season.
By Monday afternoon, numerous Nittany Lion players — including tight end Pat Freiermuth and quarterback Sean Clifford — had tweeted their desire to play with the message #IWantToPlay or #WeWantToPlay. Head coach James Franklin echoed a similar sentiment Monday afternoon.
- by Parth Upadhyaya
State College yoga studio closes its doors after more than a decade in business
A downtown State College yoga studio and meditation center closed its physical location Wednesday after more than a decade in business.
Lila Yoga, 103 E. Beaver Ave., closed because owner Erica Kaufman felt she could not safely allow yogis to congregate inside her studio during a pandemic.
- by Bret Pallotto
Penn State, Pa. leaders discuss how best to support local agricultural industry amid COVID-19
With Penn State’s Ag Progress Days held virtually this year, visitors weren’t able to enjoy event staples like milkshakes and in-person tours. But leaders were able to use the virtual platform to continue conversations about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry, and how people can support their local farmers.
Over 200 participants tuned into a virtual town hall Monday, where Rick Roush, dean of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, and Russell Redding, state secretary of agriculture, discussed lessons learned from the pandemic and what’s needed in order to recover from the global health crisis — which has caused significant disruptions to food and agricultural markets, supply chains and workforces.
- by Marley Parish
Penn State football continued practice Monday as Big Ten cancellation reports heat up
Penn State football may be inching closer to having its season canceled. According to reports from ESPN and Sports Illustrated, the “Power-5” conferences are moving toward canceling fall sports this year, and according to a report from the Detroit Free Press, the decision has already been made.
Despite the uncertainty, however, Penn State held its regularly scheduled practice Monday morning, as confirmed by the Centre Daily Times, and no official announcement has been made.
- by Jon Sauber
Pennsylvania may seek federal loan to pay jobless benefits
Pennsylvania has contacted the U.S. Department of Labor about a loan to prop up its unemployment compensation trust fund as President Donald Trump pushes states to help pay for an extension of federal unemployment benefits.
Gov. Tom Wolf’s office said it was waiting for federal guidance to understand the full impact of Trump’s executive order. But, it said, reducing the benefit from $600 a week to $400 a week will make it harder for families to get by during the pandemic.
- The Associated Press
No new COVID-19 cases reported in Centre County
Centre County on Monday reported no new cases of COVID-19 for the first time in almost a month. The county has had 372 cases since March 20. The last time there were no new cases in the county was July 16.
Pennsylvania added 601 cases to bring the statewide total to 119,453. There have been 1.24 million negative tests. There have been 7,317 deaths, including three new fatalities reported Monday. The state lists 10 deaths in Centre County.
The state estimates a 77% recovery rate. Patients are considered recovered if their case was not reported as a death and more than a month has passed since they first tested positive or showed symptoms. No patients are hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Centre County, according to the state’s dashboard.
The age breakdown of positive cases is:
- 1% are 0-4
- 1% are 5-12
- Nearly 4% are 13-18
- Nearly 10% are 19-24
- Nearly 38% are 25-49
- Nearly 23% are 50-64
- Nearly 24% are 65 or older
There are 20,011 cases among residents and 4,161 cases among employees of nursing and personal care homes for a total of 24,172 cases at 883 facilities.
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): 11
- 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.
- by Matt Hymowitz
Schools to get more state virus analysis to guide reopening
Under pressure to give schools more health guidance about how to safely reopen, Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration said Monday that it will provide recommendations to school districts based on the local rate of transmission of the coronavirus.
The Department of Health plans to provide an analysis showing the seven-day rate of transmission in each county and group those rates into three categories: low, moderate and substantial.
- The Associated Press
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
Community outreach/appreciation
Community feedback
Campus check-in
President Donald Trump on Monday joined a U.S. senator and a number of coaches calling to save the college football season from a pandemic-forced shutdown as supporters pushed the premise that the players are safer because of their sport. There was speculation two of the five most powerful conferences – the Big Ten and the Pac-12 – might call off their fall seasons and explore the possibility of spring football.
- North Alabama has suspended football practices until at least Friday after team leaders expressed concerns about COVID-19.
- UTEP has postponed the start of preseason football practice after four players tested positive for the coronavirus.
Old Dominion is canceling its fall sports season because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The College of Charleston is suspending all sports competition for the fall because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Virginia says no student-athletes tested positive for the coronavirus last week. The school has had four positive results since fall programs returned to preseason training.
Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey has weighed in on the powerhouse league’s situation regarding a decision on the football season.
The Mountain West has become the second FBS conference to postpone its football season, punting on the fall with an eye toward playing in the spring.
Things to do
Free food options
This story was originally published August 10, 2020 at 8:56 AM.