Reopening updates: Centre County adds 6 cases of COVID-19 and 1 new death

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’s 2021 Thon to be held virtually due to COVID-19 pandemic

Hundreds of Penn State students will not have the opportunity to gather in-person and cap off a yearlong fundraising effort for pediatric cancer patients in 2021.

Thon’s executive committee on Friday canceled the annual 46-hour, no-sitting and no-sleeping dance marathon. Thon, credited with being the world’s largest student-run philanthropy, is planning a virtual celebration.

Students will not be able to congregate in-person in the Bryce Jordan Center because of COVID-19 mitigation efforts and health and safety concerns, the committee said.

- by Bret Pallotto

Centre County adds 6 cases of COVID-19 and 1 new death

Centre County added six cases of COVID-19 on Friday, according to the state Department of Health, bringing its total to 386 since the first case was reported on March 20. Of those 386 cases, 347 are confirmed and 39 probable. There have been 10,196 negative tests.

Another COVID-19-related death was also attributed to Centre County, bringing its total to 11, according to the state. The Centre County Coroner’s Office has not yet received notice of the additional death as of Friday afternoon, coroner Scott Sayers said.

There were 829 new cases reported in Pennsylvania, for a statewide total of 122,950. There have been 1,304,739 negative tests, and the state estimates a patient recovery rate of 78%.

The DOH reported 36 new COVID-19-related deaths in the state. So far, 7,445 Pennsylvanians have died of the virus, according to the the DOH.

The age breakdown of Pennsylvanians who have tested positive is as follows:

• 1% are ages 0-4;
• 1% are ages 5-12;
• Nearly 4% are ages 13-18;
• Nearly 10% are ages 19-24;
• Nearly 38% are ages 25-49;
• Nearly 23% are ages 50-64; and
• Nearly 24% are ages 65 or older.

Most hospitalizations and deaths have occurred in patients aged 65 and older. Pennsylvania has had 20,285 resident cases of COVID-19, and 4,209 cases among employees at 890 nursing and personal care homes. In Centre County, there have been 33 resident and 21 employee cases across five facilities, and eight deaths.

The breakdown of confirmed Centre County cases by ZIP code is as follows, according to the DOH:

• 16801 (State College): 77 (1 new case)
• 16823 (Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap): 66
• 16803 (State College): 52 (1 new case)
• 16875 (Spring Mills): 20
• 16841 (Howard): 17
• 16866 (Philipsburg): 17

• 16870 (Port Matilda): 19 (3 new cases)

• 16827 (Boalsburg): 15

• 16822 (Beech Creek): 12
  
  
• 16828 (Centre Hall): 11
• 16686 (Tyrone): 13
• 16853 (Milesburg): 6
• 16865 (Pennsylvania Furnace): 5
• 16820 (Aaronsburg): 5
• 16854 (Millheim): 5
• 16666 (Osceola Mills): 5 (1 new case)
• 16844 (Julian): 5 (1 new case)
• 16802, 16804, 16829, 16832, 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.

No patients are hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Centre County, according to the state.

- by Lauren Muthler

Facing backlash, Penn State changes offending language in COVID-19 Compact with students

Penn State’s Bailey Campbell, a Ph.D. student, said she was “horrified” the first time she spotted the university’s COVID-19 Compact, which required students’ signatures before they could fully access the university’s online features.

Campbell — an organizer for the Coalition of Graduate Employees at Penn State — didn’t need to stare long at the online form last week before she refused to sign. She found the language near the end especially concerning: I assume any and all risk of exposure to COVID-19 that may result from attending Penn State, or participating in Penn State activities, and I acknowledge that exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, or death.

To Campbell, and many in the Penn State community, the compact read more like a legal liability waiver. So, in response, the university announced Thursday that it would change the offending language.

- by Josh Moyer

State College’s 2 movie theaters set to reopen. Here’s what you should know about safety, changes

For the past five months, Anthony Smith — the regional manager of State College’s two movie theaters — has openly wondered when the smell of buttered popcorn would again fill his lobbies while customers buzz about the new box-office hit.

He won’t have to wait much longer.

According to Smith, who oversees both College 9 and UEC 12, Centre County’s largest movie theaters will reopen Aug. 21 with new rules, limited showings — and a whole lot more cleaning supplies. Many theater properties around the U.S. plan to reopen around that time, and Smith wants to make sure his theaters are ready before studios ramp up their blockbuster movie releases by October.

“I’m itching to get back to work,” Smith said. “I would like a chance for our industry to prove that it can be safe for you to come out and enjoy a little entertainment during this crazy time. For two hours, a theater is a getaway.”

- by Josh Moyer

Local music venues may soon see relief amid COVID-19, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey says

Local music may be in for some good news.

The once vibrant and heartfelt music scene we have right here in Centre County has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it looks like even harder times may be ahead now that the fall 2020 Penn State football season has been postponed. But, thanks to the efforts of Pennsylvania’s Sen. Bob Casey and nearly 50 senators throughout America, local music venues may receive some much needed financial assistance.

The relief is proposed in two bills — the RESTART Act and the Prioritized Paycheck Protection (P4) Act. According to Congress.gov, the RESTART Act, led by Sen. Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), extends the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19, and it establishes a loan program whereby the Small Business Administration shall guarantee loan amounts to certain businesses affected by COVID-19.

- by Kevin Briggs, for the CDT

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This story was originally published August 14, 2020 at 10:03 AM.