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, 654 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 113,590
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., August 2, that there are 654 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 113,590. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Allegheny...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 888 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 112,936
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., August 1, that there are 888 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 112,936. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Allegheny...
Dashboard Data Shows Weekly COVID Case Increases Statewide, Multiple Counties with High Percent-Positives
Governor Tom Wolf today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard comparing the seven-day period of July 24 – July 30 to the previous seven days, July 17 – July...
Pennsylvanians Urged to Report Unemployment Benefits Fraud
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak is reminding Pennsylvanians of the warning signs associated with the widespread identity theft fraud ring targeting COVID-19 unemployment compensation (UC) benefits programs...
State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement July 29 – 30: 973 Compliance Checks, Two Notices of Violation
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 973 licensed liquor establishments from Wednesday, July 29 through Thursday, July 30 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include social...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 970 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 112,048
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., July 31, that there are 970 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 112,048. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Allegheny...
Wolf Administration Urges Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Season Amidst COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA – As we near the peak of hurricane season, the Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency today urged Pennsylvanians to have an emergency plan in place if a hurricane or tropical storm is forecasted to impact the state...
Pennsylvania Partners with Staffing Agency to Hire 1,000 More COVID-19 Contact Tracers
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today announced a nearly $23 million federally funded contract with Insight Global to recruit, hire, train, and support 1,000 paid contact tracing staff to further COVID-19 contact tracing efforts in...
Human Services Secretary: Assistance is Available for Pennsylvanians Experiencing Homelessness, Unable to Pay Rent and Mortgages
Harrisburg, PA - Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today reminded Pennsylvanians that help is available and encouraged for anyone affected financially by the COVID-19 public-health crisis by taking advantage of rent and mortgage...
Gov. Wolf Visits Lancaster EMS to Thank Emergency Responders for Work During COVID-19
Governor Tom Wolf visited the Millersville location of Lancaster EMS today to thank first responders and learn about how they are adapting their critical work during the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “During the pandemic, our emergency responders have...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 860 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 111,078
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., July 30, that there are 860 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 111,078. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Allegheny...
State, Local Agencies Remind Pennsylvanians of COVID-19 Mitigation Enforcement Roles, Advise How to Report Suspected Violations
Throughout the commonwealth, businesses and residents of Pennsylvania are doing their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep themselves, their families, their customers and their communities safe – most notably by wearing masks in all businesses and whenever...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 834 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 110,218
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., July 29, that there are 834 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 110,218. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Allegheny...
All Pennsylvania Skilled Nursing Facilities Completed Universal Testing in Accordance with Secretary of Health’s Order
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Health today announced all 693 nursing homes in Pennsylvania have completed testing all residents and staff for COVID-19 at least once, in accordance with Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine’s universal testing...
Gov. Wolf Announces $3 million for Preschool Early Intervention Programs to Purchase Pandemic-Related Supplies
Governor Tom Wolf is dedicating approximately $3 million for Preschool Early Intervention Programs serving children 3 to 5-years-old to purchase personal protective equipment and other pandemic-related supplies. The funding will help to keep students and staff safe...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,120 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 109,384
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., July 28, that there are 1,120 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 109,384. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19....
Regional Response Health Collaboratives Launch 24/7 COVID-19 Support Call Centers for Long-Term Care Facilities
Harrisburg, PA - The Wolf Administration today announced that the availability of 24/7 call centers to provide clinical and operational support to long-term care facilities as they protect residents and staff from COVID-19. The call centers are run and staffed by...
Pediatricians, Child Advocacy Organization Echo Wolf Administration Mask-Wearing Requirement for Children
Pediatricians with the American Academy of Pediatrics and a child advocacy organization are weighing in on the importance of wearing masks for all, including children older than two. This guidance mirrors that of Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 839 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 108,264
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., July 27, that there are 839 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 108,264. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Allegheny...
Wolf Administration Releases ‘Trauma-Informed PA’ Plan with Recommendations and Steps for the Commonwealth and Providers to Become Trauma-Informed
As a companion to Governor Tom Wolf’s multi-agency effort and anti-stigma initiative, Reach Out PA: Your Mental Health Matters, the Office of Advocacy and Reform (OAR) is releasing the “Trauma-Informed PA” plan to guide the commonwealth and service...
Gov. Wolf Allows HB 2463 to Become Law
Governor Tom Wolf let HB 2463 become law without his signature. The governor offered the following statement on the bill: “Since the introduction of House Bill 2463, my administration has expressed deep concerns with forcing commonwealth employees to physically come...
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.