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
Reopening Phase Orders Updated to Include 8 Additional Counties Moving to Green on June 19
Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today signed amended green phase orders for the 8 counties moving to green at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, June 19. The counties include Dauphin, Franklin, Huntingdon, Luzerne, Monroe, Perry, Pike and Schuylkill....
Department of Health Applies for $301 Million Federal Grant to Strengthen COVID-19 Response, More Than $100 Million for Local Health Departments
Harrisburg, PA - Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced that the Department of Health has applied for a more than $301 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to strengthen state and local public health capacity in...
La tasa de desempleo de Pensilvania fue del 13,1 por ciento en mayo
Harrisburg, PA - Hoy en día, el Departamento de Trabajo e Industria de Pensilvania (L & I) publicó su informe sobre la situación del empleo para mayo de 2020. Las encuestas de desempleo y puestos de trabajo de mayo recogieron datos que hacen referencia a la semana del 10 al 16 de mayo antes de que muchos condados...
Departments of Health and Aging Highlight Efforts to Protect Seniors, Vulnerable Pennsylvanians
Harrisburg, PA – At today's daily COVID-19 press conference at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine and Sec. of Aging Robert Torres highlighted efforts to protect seniors and other vulnerable Pennsylvanians....
Gov. Wolf: Mask-Wearing is Required, Critical to Stop COVID-19 Spread
Governor Tom Wolf today reminded Pennsylvanians that mask-wearing is required when entering any business in all counties in the state in both yellow and green phases of reopening. Masks are considered critical in stopping the spread of COVID, now and in preparation...
National All-American Dairy Show Cancelled
Harrisburg, PA - The 2020 All-American Dairy Show has been cancelled to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. The show was originally scheduled to run September 12-16, 2020 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center. “Agriculture and youth are the foundation...
L&I Offers Reminders About Summer Job Rules for Teens and COVID-19 Workplace Safety
Harrisburg, PA - As counties across Pennsylvania move into the green phase and teenagers begin summer employment, Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak is reminding Pennsylvanians that the state’s Child Labor Law limits working...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 418 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 80,236
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 18, that there are 418 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 80,236. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Five More Fine Wine & Good Spirits to Begin Limited In-Store Public Access in Philadelphia June 19
Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today announced that five more Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores in Philadelphia will resume limited in-store public access beginning Friday, June 19, abiding by guidance for businesses issued by the Wolf...
L&I Secretary: Governor Wolf’s Disaster Declaration Needed to Help People Out of Work, Reduce Employer Costs
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak today highlighted the importance of Governor Tom Wolf's disaster declaration to help Pennsylvanians who are out of work get the unemployment compensation benefits they deserve...
Pennsylvania Capitol Building to Reopen to Public on June 22
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of General Services announced today the Pennsylvania Capitol building will reopen to the public with modified prevention protocols on June 22. The reopening follows Dauphin County moving to the green phase of the COVID-19...
Gov. Wolf: PA is One of Three States Recognized by CDC for COVID-19 Reduction Success
As states across the country begin to reopen and nearly half are seeing COVID-19 cases rise, Governor Tom Wolf announced Friday that Pennsylvania is not one of them. Today at a daily COVID briefing with Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, he noted another...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 335 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 79,818
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 17, that there are 335 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 79,818. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System, USDA Farm to Food Bank Funds Support Local Dairies, Workforce, Food Banks
Mercer, PA - Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited the Ralph Moore Dairy Farm in Mercer today, one of more than 30 Pennsylvania dairy farms supported by the state’s acquisition of more than 200,000 pounds of Swiss cheese – stranded from COVID-19 supply...
64th Annual Keystone International Livestock Exposition Cancelled
Harrisburg, PA – The 2020 Keystone International Livestock Exposition (KILE) has been canceled to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. KILE was originally scheduled to run September 25 - October 4, 2020 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center. "Although...
Gov. Wolf: Four Universities Receive Funding for COVID-19 Response Through Manufacturing Innovation Challenge
Governor Tom Wolf today announced the seven project awardees of $174,603 in new funding through the Manufacturing PA Innovation Program COVID-19 Challenge to address the commonwealth’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are fortunate to have some of the brightest...
Human Services Secretary: Gov. Wolf’s Disaster Declaration Necessary as Health Care and Social Services Providers Rise to Continued Challenge of COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA - Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today outlined regulatory suspensions and operational adjustments permitted under Governor Tom Wolf’s disaster declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic. These flexibilities and waivers...
Gov. Wolf: $157.5 Million Now Available for School Health and Safety Grants to Address COVID-19
Governor Tom Wolf announced today that The School Safety and Security Committee (SSSC) within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has approved the opening of two funding announcements totaling $157.5 million that school entities are immediately...
First Lady Frances Wolf Partners with Pennsylvania PBS to Deliver Encouraging Messages to Children and Caregivers
First Lady Frances Wolf offered encouraging messages to children, parents, teachers, and caregivers through the release of a series of videos created in collaboration with Pennsylvania PBS titled #TogetherPennsylvania. Videos in the series include: a reading of...
Gov. Wolf Announces $40 Million in CARES Act Funding Available to Address Dairy Industry Relief, Food Security
Governor Wolf announced today the availability of $40 million in funding through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support Pennsylvania’s dairy industry and food security programs, following months of uncertainty and loss from...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 362 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 79,483
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 16, that there are 362 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 79,483. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
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.