COVID-19 UPDATE: Resources, information, and helpful tips to protect you and your family!
Senator Fontana Hosts a Telephone Town Hall on the Coronavirus
Senator Fontana Hosts a Telephone Town Hall on the Coronavirus
LIVE daily briefings from the PA Department of Health:
pacast.com/live/doh or www.governor.pa.gov/live/ or watch on Facebook
Vaccine Information
I co-hosted a virtual townhall on January 11, 2021 with Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine and officials from PEMA and the PA Department of Health who are responsible for overseeing the rollout of the COVID vaccine.
Latest News
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: 5,071 Patients Hospitalized And 1,065 Patients In The Intensive Care Unit
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 4, that there were 11,763 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 398,600. This is the highest daily increase of COVID-19 cases. There...
Department Of Health: Clean Hands Save Lives
Harrisburg, PA – As COVID-19 and flu remain threats in our communities, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today shared that regular hand washing is one of the most important steps we can take to get rid of germs and keep them from spreading to ultimately...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: 4,982 Patients Hospitalized And 1,048 Patients In The Intensive Care Unit
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 3, that there were 11,406 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 386,837. This is the highest daily increase of COVID-19 cases. There...
Governor Wolf Announces Life Sciences Partnership to Create Jobs, Develop COVID-19 Vaccine
Governor Tom Wolf announced that U.S. Specialty Formulations (USSF), LLC, a pharmaceutical manufacturing company, will expand its operations in Allentown, Lehigh County to continue its work developing a COVID-19 vaccine in partnership with VaxForm, LLC. This project...
Pennsylvania Capitol Complex Will Close To Public Due To Rising COVID-19 Cases
Harrisburg, PA – With the surge in COVID-19 cases continuing, starting Monday, Dec. 7, the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex will close to the public until further notice. All operations of the Governor's Office and General Assembly will continue, but access to the...
L&I Urges U.S. Senate To Extend Pandemic Unemployment Programs
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak today cautioned that the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) programs are set to expire Dec. 26....
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: 4,744 Patients Hospitalized And 967 Patients In The Intensive Care Unit
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 1, that there were 8,291 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 375,431. There are 4,744 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of...
Profiles In Service: Department Of Corrections Recognizes Employees For COVID-19 Efforts
Harrisburg, PA -- Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections employees have been faced with a myriad of challenges and have adapted their operations to ensure safety of inmates and employees. "As is the case with all corrections...
Department Of Health Announces Week-Eight Rapid Antigen Test Card Distributions Across The Commonwealth
Harrisburg, PA - The Wolf Administration today began distribution of the eighth allotment of COVID-19 antigen test kits provided by the federal government to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified institutions in Clearfield, Clinton,...
Wolf Administration Expands Testing Sites Across the Commonwealth
Governor Tom Wolf and Director of Testing and Contact Tracing Michael Huff today announced the extension of the Department of Health’s contract with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare (AMI) to provide COVID-19 testing in five regions across Pennsylvania to help contain...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: 4,631 Patients Hospitalized And 970 Patients In The Intensive Care Unit
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., December 1, that there were 5,676 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 367,140. There are 4,631 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: 4,405 Patients Hospitalized And 918 Patients In The Intensive Care Unit
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., November 30, that there were 4,268 new cases, in addition to 5,529 new cases reported Sunday, November 29 for a two-day total of 9,797 additional positive cases of COVID-19,...
Wolf Administration Secures $16 Million Pennsylvania Farm Bill, Highlights 2019 Programs That Aided PA Farmers Through Pandemic
Harrisburg, PA - Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today applauded the state legislature for once again funding Governor Tom Wolf’s Pennsylvania Farm Bill in the 2020-21 Pennsylvania Budget. The first-ever Pennsylvania Farm Bill was signed into law...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: 4,114 Patients Hospitalized And 864 Patients In The Intensive Care Unit
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., November 28, that there were 8,053 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 351,667. There are 4,114 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: 4,087 Patients Hospitalized And 877 Patients In The Intensive Care Unit Two-Day Total Of 15,785 Additional Positive Cases
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., November 27, that there were 7,360 new cases, in addition to 8,425 new cases reported Thursday, November 26 for a two-day total...
Department Of Agriculture Releases COVID-19 Restaurant Enforcement Actions, November 16 – November 22
from November 16 through November 22, 2020. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants including social distancing, masking, and occupancy limits. These numbers include actions taken during routine food safety inspections and...
Department Of Health Provides Updated Travel Order
Harrisburg, PA - Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine today updated the travel order issued on November 17, to clarify testing and quarantine requirements for people entering the commonwealth or returning home. “This update keeps in place...
Wolf Administration to Use Wireless Emergency Alert System for COVID-19 Messaging
The Wolf Administration will begin using the national Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system to provide important public messages about the COVID-19 pandemic. WEA is a national public safety system that allows customers who own compatible mobile devices to receive...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: 3,897 Patients Hospitalized And 826 Patients In The Intensive Care Unit
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., November 25, that there were 6,759 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 327,829. There are 3,897 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of...
Governor Wolf Signs Renewal to COVID-19 Disaster Declaration
Yesterday Governor Tom Wolf signed a third renewal of his 90-day Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. The first proclamation was signed on March 6, following the announcement of the first two presumptive positive cases of the virus...
Wolf Administration Discusses Work Of COVID-19 Regional Response Health Collaboratives To Strengthen Support For Long-Term Care Facilities
Harrisburg, PA - Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today discussed support the Wolf Administration is providing for long-term care facilities through the Regional Response Health Collaborative (RRHC) program, a statewide program providing...
What You Need to Know About COVID-19
The Coronavirus was first discovered during an outbreak in Wuhan, China. The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person-to-person. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms often do not appear in a person until 2 to 14 days after exposure.
Prepare Yourself and Your Family
The best way to avoid contracting COVID-19 is by practicing vital social distancing procedures. It is recommended to work remotely and severely limit contact with others.
If you think you have come into contact with someone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or are exhibiting them yourself, please follow the instructions on the graphic below:
PennDOT/Real ID Updates
Federal REAL ID Enforcement Deadline Postponed to October 2021
The Department of Homeland Security has postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from October 1, 2020, to October 1, 2021, in response to COVID-19 and the national emergency declaration.
PennDOT closed all driver and photo license centers on March 16 and paused REAL ID issuance in the state out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public health. Centers will reopen no sooner than April 3. PennDOT also sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, requesting that the agency consider extending the October 1, 2020 REAL ID enforcement deadline.
REAL ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver’s licenses and ID cards if they are going to be acceptable for federal purposes. A federally-acceptable form of identification (whether it’s a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, a military ID, etc.) must now be used on and after October 1, 2021, as identification to board a commercial flight or visit a secure federal building that requires a federally acceptable form of identification ID for access.
REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania. There is no requirement that any resident obtain a REAL ID; PennDOT will continue to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs once issuance has resumed.
More information about document requirements, including a printable document checklist, can be found on the Document Check page of the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website.
Protect Yourself
Medical Costs
As of March 9, the Governor announced that all major health insurers in Pennsylvania have agreed to cover “medically appropriate” COVID-19 testing and treatment.
The 10 major insurers are:
- Aetna
- Capital Blue Cross
- Cigna
- Geisinger
- Highmark
- Independence BlueCross
- Oscar
- Pennsylvania Health & Wellness
- UnitedHealthcare
- UPMC Health Plan
For anyone with questions about their insurance policy, please contact your insurer or the Pennsylvania State Insurance Department with questions. They can also be reached at (877) 881-6388.
Remote Medical Attention and Care
Health officials are urging people who have symptoms to stay home and contact their doctor remotely rather than opting for an in-person visit. Nearly all major health systems offer some form of virtual visits and assistance. Some insurers do, too. People interested in a specific virtual visit should check to see what illnesses it can be used for. Be sure to reach out to your insurance provider to verify this service is covered with your plan.
Here’s an brief overview of virtual visit services offered to local residents:
Capital BlueCross – is offering free medical Virtual Care visits for members who currently have the Virtual Care benefit. The waiving of fees will be effective March 13 through April 15, 2020.
Highmark – is providing many of their members with a virtual clinic visit service. Any fees related to COVID-19 will be waived.
UPMC Pinnacle – is welcoming Online Video Visits for those experience flu like symptoms or just in need of a follow-up appointment. Video visits are available through the MyPinnacleHealth portal for $49.
WellSpan Health – WellSpan Online Urgent Care offers a video visits with Teladoc physicians for patients 3 months and older for their standard fee of $49.
CALLING ALL PSYCHOLOGIST! Things may be picking up for you at this time, so we want to make sure you are covered too. Here are some COVID-19 resources on how to best protect yourself and serve your patients from the Pennsylvania Psychologist Association.
How to Stay Informed
Below is an extensive list of information, statistics, and resources to ensure you stay up-to-date with any changes happening due to COVID-19.
My Office
While our offices are closed, we are working remotely. Please call 412-344-2551 and leave a message or email fontana@pasenate.com and someone will get back in touch with you as soon as possible.
ENewsletters
- Make sure you are signed up to receive my electronic newsletter (you can sign up HERE)
- To view all past issues of “News & Views” eNews, CLICK HERE
Pennsylvania Department of Health
- The PA DoH Daily COVID-19 report. Updated regularly throughout the day.
- Follow the PA Health Department on Twitter.
- Follow them on Facebook.
A complete list of information and resources available to you by county:
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Track confirmed cases in the US. (This site is updated weekdays at noon and shows numbers that were current as of 4 p.m. the previous day.)
- CDC provided information regarding “What you should know about COVID-19”
- Follow the CDC on Twitter.
- Follow the CDC on Facebook.
- Learn how best to prevent “community transition” with specific details on what to do before, during, and after outbreaks.
World Health Organization
- Learn what’s happening Worldwide with the WHO’s Daily report. The most recent report is located at the top of the page. It includes confirmed case and death tallies.
- Additional COVID-19 information is provided on their website.
- Stay informed on Twitter.
- Follow their Facebook page.