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
PSP, PennDOT Highlight Traffic Safety as Pennsylvania Continues Phased Reopening
Harrisburg, PA – As counties move into the yellow phase of reopening and “Stay at Home Orders” are adjusted, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) remind drivers that traffic safety must be top of mind when...
60 More Fine Wine & Good Spirits to Begin Limited In-Store Public Access in Yellow Phase Counties on May 29
Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today announced that 60 more Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores in counties designated in the yellow phase of COVID-19 mitigation efforts will resume limited in-store public access beginning Friday, May 29, abiding...
Gov. Wolf Highlights PA Businesses Rising to Meet COVID-19 Needs
As Pennsylvania continues to take measured steps to reopen, Governor Tom Wolf today praised Pennsylvania businesses that have pivoted to produce critical products during the COVID-19 public health crisis, which undoubtedly contributed to the commonwealth’s efforts to...
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...
Wolf Administration, Federal Delegation: Pennsylvania Farmers Eligible for $16 Billion in Direct Relief Payments
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency Administrator (FSA) Richard Fordyce will join Senator Bob Casey and Congressman Glenn Thompson for a virtual town hall tonight...
Gov. Wolf Issues Green Phase Order, Guidance on Dining and Professional Sports
As more counties move to yellow and green, Governor Tom Wolf today issued an order to elaborate on the reopening process for green phase counties and guidance on outdoor dining in yellow counties, dining in green counties, and professional sports in yellow counties....
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 780 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 69,417
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 27, that there are 780 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 69,417. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Department of Human Services Advises Providers and Partners of Operational Recommendations for Yellow Phase Counties
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Human Services (DHS) today released guidance for its providers as counties enter the yellow phase stressing continued vigilance for mitigation efforts to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19. The guidance comes in addition to the...
Governor Wolf Announces Low-Interest Loans for Those Affected by Huntingdon County Fire
Governor Tom Wolf announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his request to declare a disaster in Huntingdon County after a devastating fire earlier this month destroyed dozens of apartments and one business. “To lose one’s home to a...
Wolf Administration, USDA Announce Sites for Children Summer Food Programs
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today announced the sites where children can get free nutritious meals through the 2020 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds the program, which PDE...
Voters Encouraged to Return Mail-In, Absentee Ballots Quickly
PITTSBURGH – Today, May 26, is the deadline for voters to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot for the June 2, 2020 presidential primary election. As of 3 PM today, the Elections Division had received 277,185 mail-in and absentee ballot applications. This number...
Gov. Wolf Thanks Pennsylvanians for Their Part to Slow the Spread of COVID-19, Centre County to Move to Green
As part of a COVID-19 briefing, Governor Tom Wolf today thanked Pennsylvanians, including the Pennsylvania National Guard, for the many contributions to the pandemic response. He also announced that Centre County will move to green on Friday. “I personally want to...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 451 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 68,637
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 26, that there are 451 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 68,637. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
COVID-19 Testing Available at Community Health Clinics in Allegheny County
PITTSBURGH – Testing for COVID-19 is now available at federally qualified health centers in Allegheny County and through Pittsburgh Mercy, a certified community behavioral health clinic. The tests will be offered at no charge, and patients do not need a doctor’s...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 473 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 68,186
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 25, that there are 473 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 68,186. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
L&I’s Anti-Fraud Division Uncovers Attempted COVID-19 Unemployment Scams, None of L&I’s Systems or Data Were Breached
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary Jerry Oleksiak today announced the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry's (L&I) anti-fraud division has discovered attempts by scammers to try and bilk COVID-19 unemployment benefits using personal information obtained...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 730 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 67,713
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 24, that there are 730 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 67,713. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
L&I Monitoring COVID-19 Unemployment Scams Across U.S., Pennsylvanians Should Stay Vigilant and Report Suspected Fraud
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary Jerry Oleksiak announced today the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) is working closely with state and federal partners to monitor COVID-19 scams across the U.S. that are targeting unemployment benefits...
$280,000 Available to Animal Ag Producers for Reimbursement of PPE through PA Farm Bill Center for Poultry & Livestock Excellence
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and PennAg Industries today announced that $280,000 is available to Pennsylvania's poultry, swine, lamb, goat, and sheep processors to reimburse costs associated with the purchase of personal protective...
Department of Health Highlights Ongoing Nursing Home Inspection, Sanction Information Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg, PA - Since the beginning of February, the Pennsylvania Department of Health nursing home surveyors conducted 1,473 inspections of nursing homes, including 907 complaint investigations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition,...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 725 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 66,983
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 23, that there are 725 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 66,983. 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.