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, 1,153 Positives Bring Statewide Total To 158,967
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 30, that there were 1,153 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 158,967. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19....
Gov. Wolf Announces More Than 165,000 Pennsylvanians Download COVID Alert PA App Within First Week, Encourages All to Add Phone to the Fight Against COVID-19
Governor Tom Wolf announced that more than 165,000 Pennsylvanians have downloaded the COVID Alert PA exposure notification mobile app in the first week since the app was released to the Apple and Google app stores. “Thank you to all of the...
Secretary Of Health Highlights Multimedia Campaign To Increase Awareness Of Flu Vaccine As The COVID-19 Pandemic Continues
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced the launch of its statewide, multimedia campaign to increase awareness of the flu vaccine and encourage Pennsylvanians to get vaccinated this year. “COVID-19 impacted a lot of things this...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19, 988 Positives Bring Statewide Total To 157,814
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 28, that there were 988 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 157,814. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19....
Department Of Agriculture Releases COVID-19 Restaurant Enforcement Actions, September 21 – September 27
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from September 21 through September 27, 2020. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants including social...
Pennsylvania Receives CDC Cooperative Agreement To Build A Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program For Veterans In Northwest Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA - The University of Pittsburgh Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) today announced the receipt of a...
Gov. Wolf Reminds Pennsylvanians that We Must Protect the ACA Amid COVID
Governor Tom Wolf was joined by Bucks County state legislators Rep. Wendy Ullman and Sen. Steven Santarsiero today to discuss the importance of preserving the Affordable Care Act (ACA) so it can continue to protect the health and safety of Pennsylvanians. “COVID-19...
Department Of Health Shares Weekly 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. “Contact tracing is an important public health strategy to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while informing any close...
Wolf Administration Provides Resources For Pennsylvanians Struggling With Mental Health, Thoughts Of Suicide During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg, PA - The departments of Health and Human Services today shared initiatives and resources available for Pennsylvanians struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic. “As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and spread...
Pennsylvania COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard Update for Sept. 18-24
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...
Gov. Wolf: Pennsylvania is COVID-19 Prepared with PPE
Governor Tom Wolf announced that Pennsylvania is prepared with a stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE) now and should it be needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the coming months. PPE includes protective clothing, helmets, gloves, face shields, goggles,...
Human Services Urges Senators Casey, Toomey To Continue SNAP Waivers And Flexibilities During The COVID-19 Health Crisis
Harrisburg, PA - Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today sent a letter to Senator Bob Casey and Senator Pat Toomey to urge them to grant DHS continued flexibility to manage changing needs during the COVID-19 health crisis, especially...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19, 1,594 Two-Day Positives Bring Statewide Total To 156,826
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 28, that there were 676 new cases, in addition to 918 new cases reported on Sunday, September 27 for a two-day total of 1,594 additional positive cases of COVID-19,...
Wolf Administration Launches Public Health Awareness Campaign Urging Pennsylvanians To Unite Against COVID
Harrisburg, PA - Today, the departments of Health and Community and Economic Development announced the launch of a new statewide public health awareness campaign — PA Unites Against COVID — to remind Pennsylvanians that they have the power to stop the spread of...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19, 1,029 Positives Bring Statewide Total To 155,232
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 26, that there were 1,029 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 155,232. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19....
State Police Bureau Of Liquor Control Enforcement September 23-24: 761 Compliance Checks; Seven Notices Of Violation
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 761 licensed liquor establishments from Wednesday, September 23 through Thursday, September 24 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19, 806 Positives Bring Statewide Total To 154,203
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 25, that there were 806 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 154,203. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 853 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 153,397
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 24, that there were 853 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 153,397. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Centre is...
Governor Wolf Discusses COVID-19 Mitigation and Government Reform
Governor Tom Wolf remains steadfast in his commitment to protecting Pennsylvanians despite reckless attempts by the Republican-led legislature to undermine the state’s successful response to COVID-19. Ignoring 200,000 pandemic-related deaths in the U.S., some...
Gov. Wolf Encourages Pennsylvanians to Download and Share COVID Alert PA App, More than 70,000 Downloads Since Launch
Governor Tom Wolf is inviting all Pennsylvanians to download and then share the free COVID Alert PA app with friends, family, and coworkers in the commonwealth. Since the app launched on Tuesday, there have been more than 70,000 downloads. The COVID Alert PA...
Gov. Wolf Thanks House Democrats for Protecting Pennsylvanians
oday, Governor Tom Wolf thanked House Democrats for upholding COVID-19 mitigation measures that protect the health and safety of Pennsylvanians. The governor released the following statement: “I am thankful to the House Democrats for continuing to stand with me and...
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.