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
L&I Holding Unemployment Compensation Virtual Town Hall on Thursday
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) is hosting a live virtual town hall from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM this Thursday, June 4, 2020, to share information about Pennsylvania's regular unemployment compensation (UC) and other new...
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Temporarily Expedites Extensions of Licensed Premises for Additional Outdoor Serving Areas
Harrisburg – Supplementing guidance issued by Governor Tom Wolf for businesses in the restaurant industry and to facilitate outdoor dining and service, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today announced an expedited approval process for licensees wishing...
Wolf Administration Outlines Preliminary Guidance for Phased Reopening of Schools
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today said elementary and secondary schools in the state’s yellow and green phases may resume in-person instruction and activities beginning July 1 under a phased reopening approach that first...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 511 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 73,405
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 3, that there are 511 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 73,405. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Department of Health Holds First Regional Contact Tracing Meeting in Southwestern Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Health, along with a number of outside organizations, brought together stakeholders last week at the first southwest contact tracing consortium to discuss the contact tracing needs in southwestern Pennsylvania. “Contact tracing...
PA CareerLink® Expanding Virtual Services, Offering Limited On-Site Appointments for Job Seekers and Businesses
Harrisburg, PA – PA CareerLink® offices are increasing virtual services and offering limited in-person appointments for job seekers and employers in counties in the green reopening phase across Pennsylvania. "Although the physical doors...
Wolf Administration Reminds Older Adults of Their Rights Regarding Stimulus Checks
Harrisburg, PA - As Pennsylvanians continue to receive federal stimulus payments as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Pennsylvania departments of Aging, Human Services (DHS) and Insurance remind consumers living in...
Department of Human Services Provides Guidance for Parents with Children Returning to Child Care
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Human Services (DHS) today released a Frequently Asked Questions guideOpens In A New Window for families in need of child care and parents with children that will be returning to a child care facility in counties...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 612 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 72,894
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 2, that there are 612 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 72,894. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Department of Agriculture, PA Veterinary Medical Association Remind Pennsylvania Pet Owners to Maintain Up-to-Date Rabies Vaccinations
Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association president Dr. Kate Harnish today reminded Pennsylvanians of the importance of getting back on track with regularly scheduled pet vaccinations and boosters....
PennDOT Driver License Centers to Resume Driver’s Skills Tests
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that beginning Tuesday, June 2, 2020, driver's skills test, including motorcycle skills test, will resume at reopened Driver License Centers. Customers whose driver's skills...
Gov. Wolf Signs Executive Order Extending Mail Ballot Deadline in Six Counties to June 9
Amid a surge in mail-in ballots, the COVID-19 public health emergency and civil disturbances in six counties, Governor Tom Wolf today signed an executive order extending the deadline for county election offices in Allegheny, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie,...
Departments of Health and Aging Highlight Efforts to Protect Seniors, Vulnerable Pennsylvanians
Harrisburg, PA - At today’s daily COVID-19 press conference at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine and Sec. of Aging Robert Torres highlighted efforts to protect seniors and other vulnerable Pennsylvanians. “Because...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 356 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 72,282
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 1, that there are 356 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 72,282. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Wolf Administration to Distribute $80 Million in USDA Foods, Receives Extension of COVID-19 Disaster Food Distribution Extension
Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced that the Department of Agriculture has received approval to continue operating the Disaster Household Distribution program, through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), to provide...
Department of Health Warns of Scam Targeting WIC Recipients
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today warned Pennsylvania’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) participants of potential scams and cautioned them not to disclose their personal information without...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 511 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 71,926
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 31, that there are 511 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 71,926. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Sec. of Health Dr. Levine Meets with Future Health Care Professionals to Talk about COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today met virtuallyOpens In A New Window with high school students from Susquehanna County Career and Technical Center (CTC) to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic as part of Governor Wolf’s Schools...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 680 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 71,415
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 30, that there are 680 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 71,415. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Issues Guidance to Licensees Regarding Operations in the Green Phase of COVID-19 Recovery
Harrisburg – Supplementing guidance issued by Governor Tom Wolf for businesses in the restaurant industry, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today issued additional information for licensees operating in counties that have transitioned into the green phase of...
Gov. Wolf Signs Budget to Sustain Education, Support Communities Amid Pandemic
As Pennsylvania continues to address public health and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tom Wolf today signed a state budget that will provide 12 months of sustained public education funding at 2019-20 levels and makes important investments in communities...
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.