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 Distributes Drug to Help Treat COVID-19 Patients in Hospitals
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today distributed the investigational antiviral medication, remdesivir, to treat patients in the hospital with COVID-19. The federal government distributed the first shipment of 1,200 doses to the department on...
Elected Officials, Business Leaders Provide Guidance as County Moves to Yellow
PITTSBURGH – County Executive Rich Fitzgerald was joined by elected officials and business leaders this morning to provide basic guidance for employers and employees as the county moves to the yellow phase of reopening this Friday, May 15. “We have been successful in...
Department of Health Continues to Fight COVID-19 in Nursing Homes through Testing, Education and Resources
Harrisburg, PA - Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today emphasized the work being done to assist those in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and shared information regarding the testing of all nursing home residents and staff as part of the efforts...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 837 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 57,991
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 12, that there are 837 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 57,991. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The state is...
PennDOT To Use Existing Photos for Driver License and Identification Card Renewals
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that PennDOT will use existing photos on file for customers who renew their driver's license and identification card. "Using a customer's existing photo will help limit the...
Department of Health Places Temporary Manager at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced that the department has placed a temporary manager at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Beaver, Beaver County. “Our temporary manager will assist with the safe operations of...
Department of Human Services Supports Child Care Providers’ COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts as Counties Transition to Reopening
Harrisburg, PA - As child care providers across Pennsylvania reopen in counties transitioning to the yellow phase in Governor Tom Wolf’s reopening plan, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is committed to supporting this crucial industry and the families of...
Wolf Administration Approved to Delay Implementation of Family First Prevention Services Act
Harrisburg, PA - The Wolf Administration today announced that approval was received from the United States Department of Health & Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families’ to delay opting into full implementation of the Family First Prevention...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 543 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 57,154
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 11, that there are 543 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 57,154. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The state is...
Gov. Wolf to Pennsylvania: We Must Stay the Course, We Must Follow the Law
Governor Tom Wolf today reminded Pennsylvanians that the state’s actions to stop the spread of COVID-19 are working and that we must stay the course and follow the law or there will be negative consequences. “Pennsylvanians are fighting for our lives,” Gov. Wolf said....
PennDOT Reopens Additional Roadside Rest Areas
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reopening indoor facilities at three additional rest areas statewide. PennDOT's rest areas were temporarily closed statewide on March 17 in response to Governor Tom Wolf's mitigation...
Limited Services Available May 8 at Three PennDOT Driver License Centers in Yellow Phase Counties
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that beginning May 8, 2020, the first three Driver License Centers in yellow phase counties will reopen, adhering to restrictions on work and social interaction set by...
Insurance Department Warns of Risks, Increased Liability with Non-Compliance of Business Closure Orders
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman today reminded businesses of the importance of complying with Governor Tom Wolf and Department of Health Secretary Rachel Levine's orders – for counties in both the red and yellow phases. In...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,295 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 56,611
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 10, that there are 1,295 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 56,611. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The state...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,078 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 55,316
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 9, that there are 1,078 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 55,316. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The state...
PA Primary Voters Can Vote by Mail-In Ballot or In-Person at Polling Places in All Counties on June 2
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar reminded voters today that they have their choice of voting by mail-in ballot or going to their polling place on June 2, primary election day. While in person voting will be available for counties in...
Wolf Administration Provides Guidance for Buildings Closed During COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA – As businesses in counties enter the Yellow Phase of the state’s reopening plan, the Pennsylvania departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Health (DOH) are encouraging owners and operators of dormant buildings to flush building water...
L&I Provides Update on Appeal Process for Certain UC Claimants
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) is advising that anyone who receives a denial of their unemployment compensation (UC) claim after the time for appeal has expired and believes the denial was incorrect, may still file...
Wolf Administration Releases Information Regarding Approved Business Exemptions
Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) released information pertaining to the 6,066 approved business exemptions provided to businesses that could offer life-sustaining services or conduct life-sustaining activities...
Fitzgerald Statement Regarding County Moving to Yellow Reopening Phase
PITTSBURGH – County Executive Rich Fitzgerald issued the following statement today following Governor Wolf’s announcement which resulted in Allegheny County moving to the yellow reopening phase beginning Friday, May 15: “We are delighted with the Governor’s...
State System universities find creative solutions to honor Class of 2020
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Despite an ongoing global pandemic that's led to disruption in daily life, Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education universities plan to honor in a variety of ways the graduating Class of 2020. While tradition would be for indoor or outdoor...
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.