Reopening updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on Sept. 20
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Where does Centre County stand in the fight against COVID-19? Clarity could come soon, expert says
Centre County has reached a turning point in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic — and, according to one medical expert, clarity could soon be on the way.
It’s just unknown at this point whether that will yield good news or bad.
Dr. David Rubin, the director of PolicyLab at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, updated the Centre Daily Times on the county’s status Thursday and offered a “bellwether” date of Oct. 1. At that point, he said, the picture should be clearer: If cases and testing positivity rates start going down at that point, and hospitalizations haven’t yet started climbing, data suggests the county could still contain the virus. But if they are increasing? An overwhelmed local hospital and an impossible-to-ignore situation seem a lot more likely.
- by Josh Moyer
Boalsburg chef teaching online cooking classes to provide a ‘safe and fun’ activity amid pandemic
After moving from New York City to State College a little over a year ago, Rebecca Elman began teaching cooking classes at RE Farm Cafe, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and changed the way people come together for food and fun, Elman realized she needed to likewise change the way she shares her extensive culinary experience with the world.
A personal chef in New York City with additional experience working at the James Beard Foundation and as a recipe tester for cookbooks, Elman has the cooking chops. She just needed the right platform for sharing her expertise. As so many businesses and organizations have during the pandemic, she turned to Zoom. Now, Elman is still teaching culinary skills and recipes to classes full of home cooks, just in a pandemic-proof format through her website, TheHiddenHostess.com.
- by Holly Riddle, for the CDT
Here’s what the Big Ten’s new 8-game schedule looks like for Penn State football
With the Big Ten set to begin its football season Oct. 24, a new schedule is in order.
The conference released that schedule Saturday morning, and Penn State football now has its slate of opponents for the 2020 season, including its season opener — on the road against the Indiana Hoosiers.
- by Jon Sauber
No move to remote learning, as Penn State adds 226 cases of COVID-19 since last update
Penn State did not deviate Friday from its plan to continue in-person instruction despite announcing another 226 cases of the new coronavirus at the university’s flagship campus.
All new cases reported by the university were among students. There have been 973 cases reported in the past two weeks at University Park, and 1,372 total cases among students and employees.
The university reported 656 student cases are no longer active.
- by Bret Pallotto
A free pop-up COVID-19 testing site will open in Centre County. Here’s what to know
Centre County residents will be able to get a free COVID-19 test.
The state Department of Health announced Friday that a pop-up coronavirus testing site will open at the Nittany Mall. The drive-thru site will be able to accommodate up to 500 people per day. Insurance is not necessary to receive a test, and results are expected in 24-48 hours.
“If someone wants a test, they can get a test here at this site,” Commissioner Michael Pipe said Friday. “We’re going to be able to have 3,000 to 4,000 tests done over the course of these several days.”
- by Marley Parish
University president: Impact on Penn State enrollment, fundraising minimal so far during pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on Penn State’s enrollment and fundraising efforts has been minimal so far, according to university President Eric Barron.
Barron explained Friday afternoon, during his , that enrollment and fundraising have decreased compared to the previous year, while deferrals and leaves of absence have increased — but the changes have not been a large cause for concern.
- by Josh Moyer
Community outreach
- The Centre County United Way will launch its 2020 campaign at 3 p.m. Monday on Facebook.
Business updates
Things to do
This story was originally published September 20, 2020 at 11:25 AM.