Reopening updates: Centre County adds 4 cases of COVID-19, and other updates for Aug. 27
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date coronavirus news as Penn State and local schools reopen. Check back for updates.
Centre County adds 4 cases of COVID-19
Four new cases of COVID-19 were reported Thursday in Centre County to bring the county’s total to 433 since March 20. Overall, 387 cases are confirmed and 46 are probable. There have been 12,547 negative tests.
Pennsylvania saw 620 new positive cases, which raised the state total to 131,156. There have been 1.47 million negative tests statewide and an estimated 81% recovery rate.
The age breakdown of positive patients is:
- 1% are 0-4
- Nearly 2% 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 have been 7,635 deaths across Pennsylvania, including 11 new fatalities. The Department of Health continues to list 11 Centre County deaths.
One of the new Centre County cases is in a resident of a long-term care facility. To date, there have been 35 cases in residents and 22 cases in employees in eight nursing and personal care homes in the county. Eight of the county’s deaths have been in long-term care residents. In Pennsylvania, there have been 20,870 resident cases and 4,440 employee cases at 923 facilities in 61 counties. Of the state’s total deaths, 5,157 have been in residents of nursing and personal care homes.
The state dashboard does not list any COVID-19 hospitalizations in Centre County.
The breakdown of confirmed Centre County cases by ZIP code is as follows, according to the DOH:
- 16801 (State College): 92
- 16823 (Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap): 68
- 16803 (State College): 56
- 16686 (Tyrone): 26
- 16866 (Philipsburg): 24
- 16875 (Spring Mills): 22
- 16870 (Port Matilda): 20
- 16841 (Howard): 20
- 16827 (Boalsburg): 16
- 16822 (Beech Creek): 12
- 16828 (Centre Hall): 12
- 16666 (Osceola Mills): 8
- 16853 (Milesburg): 7
- 16854 (Millheim): 6
- 16844 (Julian): 6
- 16865 (Pennsylvania Furnace): 5
- 16820 (Aaronsburg): 5
- 16851 (Lemont): 5
- 16877 (Warriors Mark): 5
- 16802, 16804, 16829, 16832, 16845, 16852, 16860, 16868, 16872, 16874, 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
Penn State project releases preliminary info on COVID-19’s impact on Centre County, asks for volunteers
After months of planning and gathering data, a Penn State project has released preliminary results on COVID-19’s sociological, biological and economic impacts on Centre County — while also calling for more local volunteers.
The Centre County COVID-19 Data 4 Action Project, a collaborative effort between the university and local community, has conducted about 7,000 surveys so far and has moved to the next stage of the initiative by testing volunteers for coronavirus-related antibodies.
It’s hoped at least 2,000 volunteers will be tested for the antibodies eight times over the next two years, while also similarly filling out new surveys that measure the personal impact of the coronavirus, like whether someone has experienced job loss as a result of the pandemic.
- by Josh Moyer
Another PSU faculty group expresses concerns related to reopening, opens dialogue with administration
Another faculty group, the Penn State chapter of the American Association of University Professors, recently wrote a letter to university administration sharing concerns with reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic — and they’re hoping for further dialogue with the university president.
According to Michelle Rodino-Colocino, the president of the Penn State chapter, the letter that centered on safety and transparency was sent out late last week. University President Eric Barron then responded Sunday in what the group hopes is the start of a closer relationship.
“Faculty still have some concerns over the reopening plans that have not been addressed yet by the administration, publicly,” said Rodino-Colocino, an associate professor of communications and women’s studies.
- by Josh Moyer
Centre County politicians react to Gov. Wolf’s COVID recovery plan — including legalizing weed
For those worried about local businesses not surviving the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Tom Wolf has a solution. But, not every Centre County representative is thrilled with his plans.
Backed by $1 billion in federal CARES Act funding, Wolf announced his fall legislative agenda Tuesday that includes a series of items aimed to provide relief to families, recovery for businesses and reform for government. Included in his plan to help small businesses is the legalization and taxation of recreational marijuana.
Wolf also outlined goals, which include hazard pay and personal protective equipment for front-line workers, expanded child care access, paid parental leave for all Pennsylvanians, support for educators, cancellation or reduction of the state alcohol tax and financial help for utilities and rent.
- by Marley Parish
Campus check-in
- Southern California has paused the workouts of its football and men’s water polo teams until at least Monday after a combined eight positive COVID-19 tests in the programs.
Local health officials have ordered residents of 10 University of Kansas fraternity and sorority chapter houses to quarantine for two weeks following a coronavirus outbreak on campus.
The University of Notre Dame has added security personnel at its COVID-19 quarantine and isolation sites after students were observed leaving the off-campus apartments and hotels in violation of safety protocols, officials said Wednesday.
A New York state university suspended 43 students Wednesday after a party on Lake Champlain, the latest school to clamp down on students for ignoring coronavirus restrictions. Officials at SUNY Plattsburgh said the students violated campus health and safety policies when they gathered at the closed Sailor’s Beach park Friday. Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., recently suspended 15 students who attended an off-campus party and did not follow coronavirus precautions.
Business updates
Things to do
The WPSU documentary “Speaking Grief” will be available for free and on demand starting Sunday on WPSU’s YouTube page, the Speaking Grief website and the PBS Video app.
Community outreach/appreciation
Food distribution
This story was originally published August 27, 2020 at 10:02 AM.