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, 1,160 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 136,771
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 3, that there are 1,160 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 136,771 All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19....
Gov. Wolf and Lt. Gov. Fetterman Renew Call for Legislature to Take up Legalization of Adult-Use Cannabis to Help with COVID Recovery, Restorative Justice
Governor Tom Wolf and Lt. Governor John Fetterman today called on the legislature to take up the legalization of adult-use cannabis to help with the state’s economic recovery amid COVID-19. Legalization will also create more outlets for important restorative justice...
Department of Health Updates COVID-19 Screening, Testing and Visitation Guidance in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Harrisburg, PA - Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today released updated skilled nursing facility guidance that includes recommendations on COVID-19 routine (or, “screening”) testing strategies for facilities not experiencing an outbreak,...
Save the Date! Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic
I will be hosting a flu shot clinic on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., but in a different format than in previous years. Due to the ongoing pandemic, I will be hosting a drive-thru flu shot clinic in the parking lot at the Dormont Pool/Rec. Center, located at...
State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement August 31-September 1: 1,243 Compliance Checks; Five Notices of Violation
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 1,243 licensed liquor establishments from Monday, August 31 through Tuesday, September 1 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 816 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 135,611
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 2, that there are 816 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 135,611 All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The...
Wolf Administration Marks Completion of Baseline Universal Testing for Long-Term Care Facilities, Highlights Work to Strengthen COVID-19 Preparedness and Mitigation Efforts
Harrisburg, PA - Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine today announced that all assisted living residences, personal care homes, and private intermediate care facilities have completed...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 770 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 134,795
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 1, that there are 770 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 134,795 All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The number...
Department of Agriculture Releases COVID-19 Restaurant Enforcement Actions, August 24-30
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from August 24 through August 30, 2020. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants including social distancing,...
Governor Wolf Urges Legislature to Protect Homeowners and Renters from Eviction
Governor Tom Wolf was joined by Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) Executive Director and CEO Robin L. Wiessmann, Sen. Jay Costa, Rep. Maureen Madden and advocates to urge the legislature to quickly pass legislation to protect Pennsylvanians from eviction from...
Gov. Wolf Signs Second Renewal of COVID-19 Disaster Declaration for State Response and Recovery
Governor Tom Wolf signed a second renewal of his 90-day disaster declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic yesterday. He originally signed it March 6 following the announcement of the first two presumptive positive cases of the virus in the commonwealth. “As we approach...
Pennsylvania Shares Update on COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard, County Transmission Levels, Cases Traced to Businesses
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 Shares Weekly Data for COVID-19 Investigations, Contact Tracing, Monitoring Efforts
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Health today shared an update on Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing data. “In order to successfully mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we use proven public health strategies such as case investigations,...
State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement August 28-30: 1,249 Compliance Checks; 13 Notices of Violation
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 1,249 licensed liquor establishments from Friday, August 28 through Sunday, August 30 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include social...
Wolf Administration Announces $2 Million for COVID PEDA Restart Grants
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) recently opened a $2 million grant opportunity to support clean energy projects in Pennsylvania, which were...
Education Department Announces Availability of $934K for Food Service Equipment Grants
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced today the availability of approximately $934,000 in competitive grants for elementary, middle and high schools across the state to purchase new food service equipment for cafeterias. “Students...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 521 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 134,025
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., August 31, that there are 521 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 134,025 All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The number of...
Department of Health Notifies Pennsylvanians of a Modified COVID-19 Testing Schedule at Walmart and Quest Diagnostics Sites
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Health today advised that nine Walmart drive-thru and parking lot COVID-19 testing locations across the state will have a modified testing schedule during the week of August 31. “When we established our testing strategy, we wanted...
Gov. Wolf Calls for Paid Sick and Family Leave for Workers
As Pennsylvanians continue to fight the health risks of COVID-19, Governor Tom Wolf is calling for the General Assembly to pass legislation for paid sick and family leave for workers who need to miss work for an illness or to take care of a loved one. “Pennsylvanians...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 670 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 133,504
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., August 30, that there are 670 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 133,504. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 843 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 132,834
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., August 29, that there are 843 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 132,834. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19....
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.