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Reopening updates: Centre County reports no new cases of COVID-19 for 3rd straight day

Centre Daily Times - 6/4/2020

Jun. 4--We're keeping track of the most up-to-date coronavirus news now that Centre County is in the green phase of Gov. Tom Wolf's plan to reopen Pennsylvania. Check back for updates.

Centre County reports no new cases of COVID-19 for 3rd straight day

For the third day in a row, Centre County added no new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, as the county's total cases remained steady at 154 overall, according to the state Department of Health.

Statewide, there are now 73,942 total cases of the coronavirus in Pennsylvania, meaning 537 cases are new. That marks the 24th straight day that single-day increases have been below 1,000 -- a considerable decrease from the April 9 peak of 1,989 new cases.

Based on how the state now defines a recovery, which counts as a patient having survived 30 days from a positive test, about 68% of those who tested positive have recovered in the commonwealth.

Locally, every county surrounding Centre County now has at least 42 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Totals from nearby counties are as follows:

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-- Blair County: 52 (1 death)

-- Cambria County: 59 (2 deaths)

-- Clearfield County: 42 (0 deaths)

-- Clinton County: 60 (3 deaths)

-- Huntingdon County: 234 (3 deaths)

-- Juniata County: 95 (4 deaths)

-- Mifflin County: 59 (1 death)

-- Union County: 65 (1 death)

In Centre County, here's the breakdown by ZIP code (those without cases are not listed):

-- 16823 (Bellefonte, Milesburg and Pleasant Gap): 39

-- 16801 (State College): 35

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16803 (State College): 26

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16827 (Boalsburg): 9

-- 16870 (Port Matilda): 9

-- 16686 (Tyrone): 6

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16666, 16841, 16866, 16844, 16828, 16852, 16822: 1-4 cases each (Specific numbers not available)

The statewide death toll from the virus also rose Thursday, increasing by 75 to 5,817. So far, six total COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed in Centre County -- an 89-year-old man on April 16, a 96-year-old man May 8, an 89-year-old woman May 9, a 74-year-old man May 12, an 88-year-old woman May 13 and an 88-year-old man May 27, according to the Centre County Coroner's Office.

The state DOH is reporting seven deaths for Centre County, contrary to the coroner. Although it's not known why a discrepancy exists, it's possible that a permanent Centre County resident died outside of the county. -- by Marley Parish

A Ferguson Township police officer recovered from COVID-19. Now he wants to help others

Triumphantly emerging from a COVID-19 diagnosis can seem like a daunting challenge, but one Ferguson Township police officer is determined to help others fighting the disease.

Dan Lewis, who is the first publicly known law enforcement officer in Centre County to recover from the new coronavirus, has donated plasma in hopes of helping Centre County patients.

"In my line of work, we're going out there and dealing with the effects of people being stuck at home, not in the best mental state and having issues with family or being alone. I wanted to find some way that I could potentially help out more," Lewis said. "If there was any chance that an experience as semi-unpleasant as donating plasma could help somebody avoid a ventilator or get out of the hospital or even save their life, that was something that felt like a positive trade-off. It wasn't a question for me." -- by Bret Pallotto

Transportation

The Centre Area Transportation Authority will restore additional service on several routes starting Monday. CATA is not collecting fares and is requiring riders to wear a covering over their nose and mouth. Passengers are encouraged to board buses at the rear door, if able. Beginning Monday, the HM (Nittany Mall/Toftrees), K (Cato Park), N (Martin Street/Aaron Drive), P (Tussey Mountain), R (Waupelani Drive), V (Vairo Boulevard), W (Valley Vista), XB (Bellefonte) and XG (Pleasant Gap) routes, and the Blue Loop and Red Link will operate starting at 6 a.m. daily, including Saturdays. The NV (Havershire/Martin/Vairo/Toftrees) and RP (Waupelani/downtown) routes will be discontinued. Full route and schedule information is available at catabus.com/reduced-service.

CATAGo

Starting Monday, CATAGo will offer service in Bellefonte from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. There will be no service in Pleasant Gap.

CATARide

Starting Monday, CATARide will operate from 6 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Service outside these hours is limited to life-sustaining treatment such as dialysis and chemotherapy. Reservations for next-day trips can be made from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There is no service on Sundays.

CATA is asking riders who are negatively affected by service changes or have unmet transportation needs to call 238-CATA (2282) to share their concerns.

CATA is taking several safety precautions, including providing masks and face shields for frontline employees and staff, regularly cleaning and disinfecting high-touch services in vehicles and facilities, and screening employees to ensure their health.

"The No. 1 goal of CATA's board of directors and employees is the health and safety of our customers and the general public," Executive Director and CEO Louwana Oliva said in a news release. "We pledge to continue these efforts and to adjust as the experts release further guidance."

-- The state Department of Transportation has resumed driver's skills tests at reopened Driver License Centers, the agency announced Tuesday. Customers whose tests were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic will receive priority in rescheduling by calling PennDOT at 717-412-5300. Other customers will be able to schedule a test in the appointment system starting June 20. Several safety modifications have been made to the test. For example, customers and accompanying drivers will be required to wear face masks during tests. In yellow phase counties, applicants will receive a basic health prescreening and will not be tested if they show COVID-19 symptoms. There will be no screening in green counties. Additionally, examiners must wear appropriate protective equipment. Resources are available at www.dmv.pa.gov.

Pennsylvania news

-- Walmart and Quest Diagnostics will operate additional drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites across the state beginning Friday, the Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said Wednesday.. The sites, which include one in Clearfield, will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Registration is required one day in advance at Quest's patient portal. The site will be available for scheduling starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The tests will be provided at no cost to Pennsylvanians. The Clearfield testing site is at the Walmart Supercenter parking lot, 100 Supercenter Drive. Gov. Tom Wolf also announced that the state reached its testing goal for May with more than 283,000 results reported to the Health Department. The state's 2% testing goal was met by more than 11%.

-- Dentists can again provide routine care, including cleanings, under guidance released Wednesday by the state Department of Health. Dental providers should follow protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ensure they have an appropriate level of personal protective equipment and supplies to support their volume of patients. All patients should be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before arriving at the practice and social distancing should be maintained at the practice.

-- Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday renewed the 90-day disaster declaration he signed March 6 after the state's first COVID-19 cases. That declaration was scheduled to expire Thursday. "Pennsylvanians have done a tremendous job flattening the curve and case numbers continue to decrease," Wolf said in a release. "Renewing the disaster declaration helps state agencies with resources and supports as we continue mitigation and recovery."

-- Amid a surge of mail-in ballots and civil unrest, Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday signed an executive order Monday to extend the deadline for receiving mail-in ballots in Allegheny, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Those six counties are also included in the governor's disaster declaration, signed in the wake of protests that have broken out nationwide in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Business updates

Local government

-- State College interim Mayor Ron Filippelli in his weekly update video encouraged residents to go out and patronize local stores and restaurants as a thank you for doing their part to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. He also encouraged those business to make sure they comply with the new health and safety requirements.

-- State College Borough has announced several downtown parking changes as the county enters the green phase. On-street meters will continue to be free during daytime hours, but overnight parking at meters is not permitted, as meters are designated for short-term parking. The Pugh Street, Beaver Avenue and Fraser garages, along with the Beaver and Allen lots and McAllister Deck will be no charge and allow overnight parking. The regulations will be updated as the number of vehicles in downtown State College increases.

Community feedback

-- The State College borough and Downtown Improvement District are seeking feedback from downtown business owners about different options for temporarily improving opportunities for outdoor commerce and the pedestrian environment to better to better enable safe social distancing. The survey will close at 5 p.m. Monday.

-- A survey is asking State College businesses about their needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery. The responses will guide the borough and Redevelopment Authority as they develop programs to help local businesses. The survey will close at 11:59 p.m.June 7 and can be found here. It was originally set to close Sunday.

-- Penn State has teamed up with local leaders for the Centre County COVID-19 Data 4 Action Project (Data 4 Action). The first initiative of the project is an anonymous survey, which will document how the pandemic is impacting Centre County residents' lives and their experiences they as return to work and school. The survey launched Monday at Data4Action.psu.edu and can also be taken by phone from noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday at 753-4799. All adult Centre County residents are asked to complete the survey by June 12. For every 100 individuals who complete the survey, Penn State will make a $100 donation to the Centre County Food Pantries (serving residents throughout the county) and will donate up to $10,000.

Health care

Mount Nittany

Mount Nittany Health reopened several outpatient lab services on Monday. Locations and hours include:

-- Mount Nittany Health Penns Valley: 7:30 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday

-- Mount Nittany Health Park Avenue: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday

-- Mount Nittany Health Blue Course Drive: 7:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Monday-Friday

-- Mount Nittany Health Philipsburg: 7:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 7:30-11:45 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

-- Mount Nittany Health Bellefonte: 7:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 7:30-11:45 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

-- Mount Nittany Medical Center: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

-- Mount Nittany Health Mifflin County: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. and in the office for emergency needs

More information on increased safety procedures can be found at mountnittany.org/open.

Geisinger

As the state reopens, Geisinger has updated its visitation policy, modifying routine, in-person visits to all hospitalized patients. Connecting with patients via phone calls, Facetime and Skype is still encouraged when possible. Visitors will be allowed for:

-- Patients undergoing surgery or procedures (one single-time visitor immediately after the procedure)

-- Patients who are medically unstable (one visitor)

-- Patients who are at the end of life (two visitors)

-- Delivering mothers (one support person)

-- Patients who are minors and those with limited decisional capacity (up to two parents or guardians)

-- Patients who have altered mental status, an intellectual, developmental or cognitive disability or a communication barrier (one visitor)

-- Patients with disruptive behavior, where a family member is key to their care (one visitor)

Approved visitors are subject to the following guidelines:

-- Be 18 years of age or older and in good health

-- Bring a form of identification

-- Not have symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, recent loss of taste or smell or flu-like illness suggestive of COVID-19

-- Not have active COVID-19 infection

-- Be symptom-free for at least 14 days if they previously had active COVID-19 infection

-- Complete health screening, including a temperature check, at the entrance before entry

-- Wear a mask at all times while in the facility

-- Respect social distancing guidelines of 6 feet from all others

-- Wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before entering and after leaving a patient's room

-- Use the same entrance for entry into and exit from the hospital

-- Identify themselves and stay in designated areas (not travel throughout the facility)

Patients who have appointments at a Geisinger clinic, lab or Emergency Department may have one person accompany them. More information on Geisinger's visitation policy can be found here.

Sports/recreation

Nonprofits

Closings/cancellations

-- The annual Black Forest Star Party, organized by State College-based Central Pa Observers Astronomy Club and held at Cherry Spring State Park in Potter County, has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.

Things to do

-- The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Penn State moved its program online during the pandemic. The group offers courses, trips and activities for those 50 and older. OLLI's summer course catalog is available online and registration began Monday. The summer semester begins June 15.

--

In a project called "Tying Us Together," Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts organizers are calling for people to make friendship bracelets between now and July, sharing some with their friends and donating the remainder to the festival. Festival organizers will sell them at local retailers to support this year's virtual Arts Festival, according to a news release.

A limited number of kits of embroidery floss and instructions are available at:

-- Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, 403 S. Allen St., Suite 205A, State College

-- The Makery, 209 W. Calder Way, State College

-- State College Framing Company & Gallery, 160 Rolling Ridge Drive, State College

-- Art a la Carte, 107 S. Allegheny St., Bellefonte

For more information, visit https://arts-festival.com/2020/05/tying-us-together/.

Community outreach/appreciation

--

Sheetz will end its children's meal program Friday after serving about 600,000 free meals to children and families. The Kidz Meal Bagz program began in April to help customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Sheetz for the Kidz, an employee charity helping children, recently donated $620,000 to Feeding America. "I'm so proud of our employees who truly stepped up to make the Meal Bagz program happen, " Sheetz President and COO Travis Sheetz said. "Their dedication to help the communities we serve made a real impact, providing over 600,000 meals to those in need." Sheetz will continue to raise funds for Feeding America through the MySheetz app. Through June 30, for every 200 points a customer donates, Sheetz will donate $1 to the organization.

Free food options

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