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
Gov. Wolf Signs Cocktails-to-Go Bill
Governor Tom Wolf today signed House Bill 327, now Act 21 of 2020, allowing the temporary sale of cocktails-to-go from bars, restaurants or hotels with a liquor license. The law takes effect immediately. “This new temporary rule creates more business for bars and...
PSP, PennDOT Highlight Traffic Safety as Pennsylvania Continues Phased Reopening
Harrisburg, PA – As counties move into the yellow phase of reopening and “Stay at Home Orders” are adjusted, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) remind drivers that traffic safety must be top of mind when...
Pennsylvania COVID-19 Response Task Force on Health Disparity Announces One-Month Milestones
The Pennsylvania COVID-19 Response Task Force on Health Disparity chaired by Lt. Gov. John Fetterman has in its first month progressed toward addressing a preexisting health-related inequity that's been exacerbated by the novel coronavirus. Governor Tom Wolf formed...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 980 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 65,392
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 21, that there are 980 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 65,392. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Limited Services Available at Additional PennDOT Driver License and Photo License Centers in Yellow Phase Counties
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that beginning Friday, May 22, 2020, additional Driver License and Photo License Centers in yellow phase counties will reopen, adhering to restrictions on work and social...
50 More Fine Wine & Good Spirits to Begin Limited In-Store Public Access in Yellow Phase Counties on May 22
Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today announced that 50 more Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores in counties designated in the yellow phase of COVID-19 mitigation efforts will resume limited in-store public access beginning Friday, May 22, abiding...
Wolf Administration Grants Second Extension to License to Carry Firearm Permits
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police announced today that Governor Tom Wolf has granted an additional extension to license to carry firearms permits. Permits, which expired on March 19, 2020 or later, have now been extended to July 31, 2020....
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 746 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 64,412
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 20, that there are 746 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 64,412. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Wolf Administration Receives Approval to Launch Online Grocery Purchasing for SNAP Recipients During COVID-19 Crisis
Harrisburg, PA - The Wolf Administration received approval from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow Pennsylvania to join the pilot program that lets recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance...
Gov. Wolf: State to Distribute $51 million in CARES Funding to Support Child Care Providers
Governor Tom Wolf today announced an initial distribution of $51 million of funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to support child care providers around Pennsylvania. Distributed in partnership with the General Assembly,...
Task Force Applauds Free Testing for Uninsured Pennsylvanians
Harrisburg, PA - Pennsylvanians who don’t have health insurance can be tested for the novel coronavirus free of charge, addressing a concern identified by the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Response Task Force on Health Disparity chaired by Lt. Gov. John Fetterman....
Caves in Forbes State Forest Remaining Closed Due to COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA -- The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources today announced three caves within Forbes State Forest will remain closed until further notice due COVID-19-related concerns. Closed are Barton Cave, Fayette County, and Lemon Hole and Coon...
Department of Human Services Reassures Pennsylvanians That Help Is Available, Provides Update on Public Assistance Data Trends
Harrisburg, PA - Today, Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller reminded Pennsylvanians of public assistance programs available to help families meet basic needs, such as affording groceries and accessing healthcare. Several new programs have been...
Wolf Administration: Guidance Available for People Needing FBI Background Checks During Stay-at-Home, Reopening Phases
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Human Services (DHS) today released guidance for people needing Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history background checks as a condition of employment while counties are operating under stay-at-home orders and...
Governor Wolf: PA Food Distributors Receive $50 Million for Farmers to Families Food Boxes
Governor Tom Wolf announced today that Pennsylvania food distributors will receive more than $50 million of $1.2 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box program. Money will fund the purchase of surplus milk and other...
Governor Wolf Announces Real Estate Industry May Conduct Limited Business Transactions Statewide
Governor Tom Wolf today announced that starting today, businesses and employees in the real estate industry may conduct limited business-related activities statewide and provided guidance for this industry to operate in red phase and yellow phase counties....
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 610 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 63,666
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 19, that there are 610 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 63,666. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Wolf Administration Releases Data on COVID-19 Cases by Long-Term Care Facility
Harrisburg, PA - The Wolf Administration today released data on the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths at long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania. “Long-term care facility residents are among the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and we want their...
Gov. Wolf Vetoes SB 327, HB 2388 and HB 2412
Governor Tom Wolf today vetoed three bills related to the state’s response to COVID-19 that violate the separation of powers and make other changes that go against the administration’s measured plan for reopening the state safely. Senate Bill 327 would authorize...
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Application Deadline Extended to End of Year
Harrisburg, PA — In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the deadline for older adults and Pennsylvania residents with disabilities to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2019 has been extended from June 30 to Dec. 31, 2020, the Department of Revenue...
DCNR Announces Plans to Reopen More State Park, Forest Facilities
Harrisburg, PA -- Today, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced a phased reopening of more state park and forest facilities in keeping with Governor Wolf’s direction to ensure Pennsylvanians...
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.