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’s Plan for Pennsylvania Will Set Commonwealth on Road to Recovery
Yesterday, Governor Tom Wolf announced a Plan for Pennsylvania that will set citizens and businesses on a path to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to protect life from the dangers of this deadly virus. Watch the governor’s full remarks here....
Wolf Administration Announces Business-to-Business Directory for COVID-19-Related Supplies
Harrisburg, PA – Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin announced the creation of the Business-to-Business Interchange Directory to connect organizations and businesses directly to manufacturers producing...
Gov. Wolf: Access to Food Assistance, Healthcare through Safety-Net Programs Available During COVID-19
Governor Tom Wolf today reminded Pennsylvanians that public benefit programs are available to families and individuals who have lost jobs, income and health insurance as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency. These programs include the Supplemental...
DMVA: Veterans Benefits Continue to be Available During COVID-19
ANNVILLE, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) wants to assure veterans that state and federal benefits processing are still on-going. The DMVA and the Federal VA both continue to work remotely to provide veterans’ information,...
Gov. Wolf Announces Nearly $16 Million in Funding for Pennsylvania Food Banks
Governor Tom Wolf today announced nearly $16 million in funding for Pennsylvania food banks, which are providing critical assistance to Pennsylvanians during the COVID-19 health crisis. “COVID-19 has caused severe economic stress for many Pennsylvanians, and as a...
Wolf Administration Announces COVID-19 Testing Site for Northeast Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA- The Wolf Administration today announced a COVID-19 testing site at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, to provide much-needed testing for symptomatic first responders, health care workers and residents 65 or older...
Pennsylvania Now Accepting Applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Benefits
Harrisburg, PA – Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak today announced Pennsylvania's self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers, and others not eligible for regular unemployment compensation (UC) can begin filing claims for Pandemic...
Update Provided on Kane Centers COVID-19 Cases, Mitigation Efforts
PITTSBURGH – Kane Community Living Centers (Kane) today provided an update on COVID-19 cases at its four facilities, and reviewed mitigation efforts in place for residents and staff. Kane implemented a no visitor policy on March 13 and also canceled all resident trips...
Elections to Send Mail-In Ballot Application to All Registered County Voters
PITTSBURGH – The Division of Elections today announced that staff is finalizing mailings to registered voters in the county containing mail-in ballot applications for the June 2 primary election. While some overlap may occur, the applications will be sent to...
Wolf Administration Offers Guidance to Food Processing Facilities to Ensure Safety of Workforce, Food Supply
Harrisburg, PA – Health Secretary Rachel Levine, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, and PEMA Director Randy Padfield today hosted a webinar with food processing facilities across the commonwealth to provide recommendations for reducing COVID-19 outbreaks...
L&I Soon Launching Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Website, Eligible Pennsylvanians Should Prepare Now
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania's new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) website for self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers, and others not eligible for regular unemployment compensation (UC) will begin accepting applications within the next few...
COVID-19 Outbreak Poses Unique Challenge to Volunteer Fire Service. How We Can Help.
It goes without saying that the coronavirus pandemic has affected each of our lives in its own way. Fire service personnel are among the many disciplines of first responders helping our communities cope with the threats of this outbreak. Many have lost jobs, other...
Statewide Support for Gov. Wolf and Lt. Gov. Fetterman Health Disparity Task Force
Governor Tom Wolf and Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman announced Wednesday the creation of the COVID-19 Response Task Force for Health Disparity, which will help identify how the pandemic is affecting the state’s minority and vulnerable populations. The Health...
Gov. Wolf Unveils Plan for Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 Recovery
Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced a Plan for Pennsylvania that will provide citizens and businesses relief, allow for a safe and expedient reopening, and lay a road to recovery from the challenges and hardships created by the 2019 novel coronavirus. “I...
Department of Agriculture Provides Guidance for Community Gardens to Continue Amid COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA – The PA Department of Agriculture today issued guidance for volunteers and employees of community gardens to continue working, with precautions, in recognition of them being critical to the resiliency of local food systems in Pennsylvania....
Wolf Administration Offers Guidance to Food Processing Facilities to Ensure Safety of Workforce, Food Supply
Harrisburg, PA – Health Secretary Rachel Levine, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, and PEMA Director Randy Padfield today hosted a webinar with food processing facilities across the commonwealth to provide recommendations for reducing COVID-19 outbreaks...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,706 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 29,441
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 17, that there are 1,706 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 29,441. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The...
Gov. Wolf: Emergency SNAP Benefit Distribution to Begin Today, Local Feeding Programs Available
Governor Tom Wolf today announced that the Department of Human Services (DHS) will begin emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit issuance today in line with the federal government’s interpretation of the Families First Coronavirus Response...
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Continues to Increase E-Commerce Sales, Deliveries Through FineWineAndGoodSpirits.com
Harrisburg – Now fulfilling e-commerce orders from 49 facilities across Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has significantly increased the number of orders it is accepting on a daily basis at FineWineAndGoodSpirits.com. “After ramping up 46...
Residents Asked to Refrain from Open Burning During Pandemic
PITTSBURGH – The departments of Health and Emergency Services have joined forces to ask residents to “be a good neighbor” and reduce the amount of smoke and air pollution they produce during the COVID-19 crisis. In most county municipalities (not all so check your...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,245 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 27,735
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 16, that there are 1,245 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 27,735. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The...
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.