Reopening updates: Centre County adds 37 cases of COVID-19, and other updates for Sept. 4

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 37 new cases of COVID-19

Centre County added 37 cases of COVID-19 on Friday, according to the state Department of Health. That marks the county’s third-highest single-day increase. The second-highest increase came Thursday (40), and the highest (47) on Wednesday. Centre County has had 615 total cases (568 confirmed and 47 probable) since March 20.

Most of the new cases were again from the University Park and State College ZIP codes.

The state’s early warning monitoring system dashboard shows Centre County has had 140 more cases (171) in the most recent seven days (Aug. 28-Sept. 3) compared to the previous seven days (31) (Aug. 21-27)). The incidence rate per 100,000 residents increased to 105 from 19. The positivity rate increased to 5% from 1.5%, while emergency department visits due to COVID-19 fell from 0.7% to 0.6%.

Pennsylvania added 891 cases, bringing the statewide total to 137,662. There have been 1,576,879 negative tests, and the state estimates 82% of patients have recovered.

There were 10 new COVID-19-related deaths in Pennsylvania on Friday. So far, 7,742 deaths in Pennsylvania have been attributed to the virus. The DOH counts 11 of those in Centre County.

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

• Approximately 1% are ages 0-4;
• Nearly 2% are ages 5-12;
• Approximately 4% are ages 13-18;
• Nearly 11% are ages 19-24;
• Approximately 37% are ages 25-49;
• Approximately 22% are ages 50-64; and
• Approximately 23% are ages 65 or older.

Cases continue to increase among 19- to 24-year-olds. In the north-central region, which includes Centre County, about 7% of all cases were seen in that age group in April; now, it’s 26%. That’s the highest percentage in the state.

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

• 16801 (State College): 205 confirmed (18 new cases), 18 probable
• 16823 (Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap): 72 (1 new case), 6 probable
• 16803 (State College): 63 (1 new cases), 6 probable
• 16802 (University Park): 48 (13 new cases), 0 probable
• 16686 (Tyrone): 29, (1 new) case 0 probable
• 16866 (Philipsburg): 26, (1 new case), 1-4 probable
• 16875 (Spring Mills): 23, 0 probable
• 16870 (Port Matilda): 21, 1-4 probable
• 16841 (Howard): 21, (1 new) 1-4 probable
• 16827 (Boalsburg): 17, (1 new case) 0 probable
• 16822 (Beech Creek): 12, 0 probable
• 16828 (Centre Hall): 12, 1-4 probable
• 16666 (Osceola Mills): 8, 1-4 probable
• 16853 (Milesburg): 7, 0 probable
• 16844 (Julian): 6, 0 probable
• 16851 (Lemont): 7, (1 new case) 0 probable
• 16854 (Millheim): 6, 1-4 probable
• 16877 (Warriors Mark): 5, 0 probable
• 16820 (Aaronsburg): 5, 1-4 probable
• 16865 (Pennsylvania Furnace): 5, 0 probable
• 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.

There’s one patient hospitalized with COVID-19 in Centre County, according to the state’s dashboard.

Check back for updates

- by Lauren Muthler

Need help with your small business, rent, home or utility bills? Here’s how State College is helping

State College borough unveiled a three-pronged campaign earlier this week — titled “Sustain State College” — that offers mortgage and rent relief, small-business loans, and relaxed outdoor zoning requirements to help fight the financial repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two of those initiatives are new, while the looser commercial zoning was started more than a month ago. All three can now be found on the “Sustain State College” webpage.

“We don’t know how long this is going to last,” borough spokesperson Doug Shontz said, referring to the pandemic, “and we want to do everything we can to help those in need locally.”

- by Josh Moyer

Business updates

Community outreach

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This story was originally published September 4, 2020 at 11:20 AM.