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, Total Of 2,641 Additional Positives Bring Statewide Total To 205,517
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 30, that there were a total of 2,641 additional positive cases of COVID-19, which includes 2,416 new one-day positive cases and another 225 cases from previous days...
COVID-19 Precautions Will Be In Place At Polls On Election Day
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar today assured Pennsylvanians that rigorous precautions will be taken at polling places on Nov. 3 to keep voters, poll workers and election officials safe. "We want voters to feel safe going to the polls on...
Revenue Employees Keep Funds Flowing For Pennsylvanians During COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg, PA — The Wolf Administration today recognized the work of staff assigned to the Department of Revenue's Bureau of Imaging and Document Management (BIDM) facility in Harrisburg. Employees who work at this facility are responsible for scanning and...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19, 2,202 Positives Bring Statewide Total To 202,876
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 29, that there were 2,202 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 202,876. Daily increases are now comparable with what we saw in April...
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Waives $27.7 Million In 2021 Licensing Fees For Businesses Most Impacted By COVID-19
Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) today approved, by a vote of 2-1, the forgiveness of an estimated $27.7 million in license fees in 2021 for retail licensees most impacted by the pandemic, including holders of restaurant, retail dispenser,...
Department Of Agriculture Releases COVID-19 Restaurant Enforcement Actions, October 19 – October 25
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from October 19 through October 25, 2020. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants including social...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19, 2,228 Positives Bring Statewide Total To 200,674
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 28, that there were 2,228 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 200,674. Daily increases are now comparable with what we saw in April...
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...
Department Of Health Announces Week-Three Rapid Antigen Test Card Distributions Across The Commonwealth
Harrisburg, PA - The Wolf Administration today began distribution of the third allotment of COVID-19 antigen test kits provided by the federal government to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified institutions in Blair, Lackawanna, Luzerne,...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19, 2,751 Positives Bring Statewide Total To 198,446
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 27, that there were 2,751 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 198,446. Daily increases are now comparable with what we saw in April...
Department Of Health Shares Oct. 11-17 Update On COVID-19 Investigations, Contact Tracing, Monitoring Efforts
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Health today shared its weekly update on Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing data and encouraged Pennsylvanians to download the COVID Alert PA app to aid in contact tracing efforts. “As we continue to...
State Police Bureau Of Liquor Control Enforcement October 23-25: 256 Compliance Checks; 10 Notices Of Violation
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 256 licensed liquor establishments from Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include social...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19, 3,073 Two-Day Positives Bring Statewide Total To 195,695
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 26, that there were 1,407 new cases, in addition to 1,666 new cases reported Sunday, October 25 for a two-day total of 3,073 additional positive cases of COVID-19,...
Pennsylvania COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard Update for Oct. 16 – Oct. 22
Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard. Updates are released each Monday. The update includes the...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19, 2,043 Positives Bring Statewide Total To 192,622
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 24, that there were 2,043 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 192,622. Daily increases are now comparable with what we saw in April...
DEP Increases Permitting Efficiency, Maintains Environmental Protection Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continues its efforts to maintain environmental protections and even increased permitting efficiency throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, announcing today that staff have taken final action on...
State Police Bureau Of Liquor Control Enforcement October 19-22: 473 Compliance Checks; Six Notices Of Violation
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 473 licensed liquor establishments from Monday, October 19 through Thursday, October 22 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19, 2,219 Positives Bring Statewide Total To 190,579
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 23, that there were 2,219 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 190,579. Daily increases are now comparable with what we saw in April...
Governor Wolf Announces Plan to Waive Liquor License Fees To Provide Financial Relief to Restaurants and Bars
Governor Tom Wolf announced a plan to waive liquor license fees to provide financial relief to restaurants and bars, which have faced significant financial impacts during the COVID-19 public health crisis. “As we enter the anticipated fall resurgence of COVID-19...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19, 2,063 Positives Bring Statewide Total To 188,360
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 22, that there were 2,063 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 188,360. The number of cases reported today is one of the highest...
Secretary Of Health Encourages Pennsylvanians To Prepare, Ask Questions To Ensure They Receive The Proper Care Amidst COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA - Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today shared critical questions for Pennsylvanians to ask their health care providers so they improve their health literacy, or understanding health information, to make appropriate health decisions,...
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 [email protected] 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.