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
Governor Wolf Thanks Pennsylvanians for Sacrifices During the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Pandemic
Governor Tom Wolf updated the public on Pennsylvania’s response to the 2019 novel coronavirus. The following are his prepared remarks: “My fellow Pennsylvanians, thank you for joining me. I want to talk with you about where we are with this pandemic and where we...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,178 New Positives Bring Statewide Total to 22,833
Harrisburg, PA-The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 12, that there are 1,178 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 22,833. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania now have cases of COVID-19. The...
Data Now Available on Race of COVID-19 Hospitalizations and Deaths
PITTSBURGH – Starting today, the Allegheny County Health Department is reporting data on hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 by race. Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen said monitoring COVID-19 data by race is important because the Health Department...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,676 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 21,655
Harrisburg, PA-The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 11, that there are 1,676 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 21,655. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania now have cases of COVID-19. The...
Gov. Wolf Announces $450 Million Loan Program for Financially Strained Hospitals
There are more than 19,000 COVID-19 cases in the state as of midnight today with numbers expected to continue increasing, highlighting an even greater need to ensure that Pennsylvania’s hospitals are equipped to care for patients and workers. To assist, Governor Tom...
Human Services Announces State-Run Facility Admission Protocols for COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Human Services (DHS) today released adjusted operational admissions procedures due to COVID-19 for Pennsylvania’s state centers, state hospitals, youth development centers, and youth forestry camps operated by...
Gov. Wolf: Pennsylvania National Guard Supports Communities, DMVA Continues to Help Veterans Receive Benefits During COVID-19
ANNVILLE, PA - Today, Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), said more than 850 Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG) members have been working to support commonwealth...
Pennsylvania Begins Implementing New Federal Unemployment Benefits, Eligible Claimants Get Extra $600 Starting Next Week
Governor Tom Wolf announced today the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) is implementing new federal unemployment compensation benefits provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The COVID-19 relief package...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,751 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 19,979
Harrisburg, PA-The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 9, that there are 1,989 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 18,228. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania now have cases of COVID-19. The...
Pennsylvania Issues 30 Licensing Waivers Allowing Professionals to Respond to COVID-19 Emergency
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of State announced today that it has issued 30 licensing waivers since March 17 to allow licensed professionals, facilities and trainees to respond to the COVID-19 disaster declaration. "During this unprecedented...
Governor Wolf Extends School Closure for Remainder of Academic Year
Continuing his efforts to protect the health and safety of students and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tom Wolf today announced that all schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. The governor made the decision in...
Department of Corrections Extends Visit Suspension, Enhanced Employee Screenings Indefinitely
Harrisburg, PA – Today Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary John Wetzel announced that he is extending the inmate visitation suspension and the use of enhanced employee screenings indefinitely at all state-run correctional facilities, or at such time as the...
Port Authority to Implement Vehicle Capacity Limits
Beginning Monday, April 13, 2020, Port Authority will be limiting how many people are permitted on buses and light rail vehicles. To make sure riders have enough space to spread out and to prevent overcrowding, effective at the start of service: No more than 10 riders...
PA Senate Democrats Urge Action on Legislation for Working Families, Pledge to Oppose Partisan COVID Task Force
Harrisburg, PA − April 8, 2020 − The Senate adjourned Tuesday afternoon after the House Republicans indicated they would not be taking up Senate Bill 841, legislation that would have enabled local municipalities to hold their meetings remotely, permitted e-notary use;...
Jail Reports Positive COVID-19 Case of Inmate
PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Jail today announced an inmate has tested positive for COVID19. That individual and cell mate have been quarantined since the onset of symptoms. Since early March, visitor restrictions have been in place at the facility. In late...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,680 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 16,239
Harrisburg, PA-The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 8, that there are 1,680 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 16,239. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania now have cases of COVID-19. The...
Gov. Wolf Signs Order to Provide Targeted Distribution of COVID-19 PPE and Supplies to Hospitals
Among myriad actions to support Pennsylvania’s health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tom Wolf today signed an order to provide critical aid to hospitals with targeted PPE and supplies distribution. “Combatting a pandemic means we all have to work...
Correctional Industries is Making COVID-Related Supplies for DOC, Other State Agencies
Harrisburg, PA – Beginning March 17, Pennsylvania Correctional Industries (PCI) stopped production at its garment factories system-wide to focus on manufacturing cloth masks to be used by Department of Corrections employees and inmates. "As part of the Department...
First Lady Frances Wolf: Volunteerism Remains Essential with Stay At Home Order in Place
Mount Wolf, PA - Today, First Lady Frances Wolf reminded Pennsylvanians that volunteer efforts to distribute meals and other life-sustaining services in Pennsylvania remain an essential activity, even with a statewide stay at home...
Scam Warning: Fraudsters Using New Tactics to Steal Personal Data During COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg, PA — Pennsylvanians should take steps to protect themselves from phishing scams that are targeting people who are expecting a stimulus payment from the federal government following the outbreak of COVID-19, the Department of Revenue and Department of...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,579 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 14,559
Harrisburg, PA - Harrisburg, PA-The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 7, that there are 1,579 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 14,559. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania now have...
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.