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 Human Services Reminds Pennsylvanians that Mental Health Help is Available
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Human Services (DHS) today marked Mental Health Awareness Month with a reminder that it is okay to not feel okay and that help is available. Mental Health Awareness Month seeks to raise awareness and understanding and to fight...
Wolf Administration Applies for $523 Million in Emergency Funds to Support Schools
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today submitted its Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund application to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to obtain approximately $523.8 million in emergency, one-time...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 962 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 49,267
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 3, that there are 962 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 49,267. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Today, the...
L&I Reminds Eligible Pennsylvanians to Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Benefits
Harrisburg, PA – If you're self-employed, an independent contractor, gig worker, or someone not normally eligible for regular unemployment compensation (UC) and haven't yet applied for benefits under Pennsylvania's Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program,...
DCNR Announces Plan for Reopening Some State Park, Forest Facilities
Harrisburg, PA -- Today, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced a phased reopening of state park and forest facilities in keeping with Governor Wolf’s direction to ensure that Pennsylvanians have...
Wolf Administration Releases Guidance on Emergency Housing, Quarantine Sheltering, Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness
Harrisburg, PA - The Wolf Administration today outlined housing policies and recommendations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigation efforts. The departments of Human Services (DHS) and Community and Economic Development (DCED) the Pennsylvania...
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Continues to Expand Access to Wine and Spirits for Retail Customers, Licensees
Sales to licensees for store pickup resume; Curbside pickup expands to more stores, increases order cap Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today announced it continues to expand access to wine and spirits to retail customers and licensees, all...
Gov. Wolf Announces Reopening of 24 Counties Beginning May 8
Balancing economic benefits and public health risks, Governor Tom Wolf today announced the reopening of 24 counties in the northwest and north-central regions of the state, moving them from red to yellow beginning at 12:01 a.m., Friday, May 8. “Over the past two...
Walleye, Sauger Seasons to Begin on May 2nd
HARRISBURG, Pa. (May 1) – All signs point to a successful season ahead as Walleye and Sauger fishing begins in Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 2. "Walleye are a popular catch for anglers seeking fish that can grow to significant size and make great table fare," said...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,208 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 46,971
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 1, that there are 1,208 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 46,971. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Today, the...
PennDOT Extends Expiration Dates on Driver Licenses, ID Cards, and Learner’s Permits
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that expiration dates for driver licenses, identification cards, and learner's permits, will be extended for Pennsylvania residents in response to statewide COVID-19...
PA Council on Aging Releases Findings from Survey of Older Adults During Pandemic
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Pennsylvania Council on Aging (PCoA) today released the findings of a statewide survey conducted by PCoA to assess the status, needs and interests of older adults during the COVID-19...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,397 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 45,763
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 30, that there are 1,397 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 45,763. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Today,...
L&I Offers Six Tips to Get Unemployment Compensation Benefits Quicker
Harrisburg, PA – With the historic surge in people seeking unemployment compensation (UC), Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak today offered six tips to help Pennsylvanians more quickly receive the benefits they have earned and...
PennDOT Construction Projects to Resume Beginning May 1
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that in accordance with Governor Tom Wolf's plan for a phased-in reopening of public and private construction, PennDOT highway and bridge construction projects will...
Wolf Administration: New Funding Awarded to Assist Hospitals Across Pennsylvania
Governor Tom Wolf announced that nearly $324 million in funding has been awarded to 31 hospitals across the commonwealth through the Hospital Emergency Loan Program, or HELP, which provides short-term financial relief as hospitals combat the surge of COVID-19...
Secretary of Agriculture: Farmers Market Season is Here, Markets Prepared to Safely Serve Pennsylvanians Amid COVID-19
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today reminded Pennsylvanians that with spring and warm weather comes farmers market season in the commonwealth. Farmers markets, like grocery stores, offer life-sustaining food and essentials and have been provided guidance from...
Pennsylvania Receives $34 Million to Provide Essential Services to Older Adults
Harrisburg, PA -- As part of the federal government's response to the COVID-19 emergency, Pennsylvania has received $34 million to support services authorized by the Older Americans Act. These services include home-delivered meals; in-home care services; respite...
Wolf Administration Highlights Comprehensive Food Security Efforts
Harrisburg, PA - As Pennsylvania works to mitigate the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus, the Wolf Administration has made it a priority to address food insecurity in the commonwealth by protecting our local supply chain, advocating for necessary waivers and...
State System of Higher Education votes for a second consecutive year to freeze tuition
HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Board of Governors for Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education for the first time in its 38-year history froze basic in-state tuition for a second consecutive year, even while confronting financial challenges brought on in part by the...
North Park and South Park Golf Courses Opening on May 1
PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Parks Department today announced that North Park and South Park golf courses will open on Friday, May 1, with daily operating hours of 6:00 am-dusk. Regular season fees will be in effect. Snack bars at both courses will be open...
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.