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
Pennsylvania Department of Education Receives USDA Waiver to Allow All Children to Qualify for Free Meals
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced today that it received waiver approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow schools to provide free meals to all children during statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts....
State Police Releases Non-Life-Sustaining Businesses Enforcement Totals
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police released data on actions taken from Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29 against non-life-sustaining businesses that failed to comply with Governor Tom Wolf's order closing their physical locations....
Department of Corrections Quarantines State Prison System to Fight COVID-19, Protect Inmates and Staff
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Corrections Sec. John Wetzel today announced that at 10:00 PM on March 29, he implemented a statewide inmate quarantine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Quarantining the entire system is in the best interest of our employees...
Governor Wolf Requests Major Disaster Declaration for Additional Support in COVID-19 Response
Governor Tom Wolf today requested a major disaster declaration from the President through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide additional support for state, county and municipal governments and certain nonprofits, as well as individuals who are...
Department of Corrections Reports First Case of COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Corrections Sec. John Wetzel today announced that the agency has its first inmate with a positive test for COVID-19. "An inmate at SCI Phoenix (Montgomery County) with underlying health conditions has tested positive for COVID-19,"...
Department of Corrections Provides Daily COVID-19 Information
Harrisburg, PA – Beginning today, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) will share basic information and statistics about the status of COVID-19 in the state prison system by making it available on the DOC's website. To date, no inmate has tested...
Governor Wolf and Health Secretary Expand ‘Stay at Home’ Order to Beaver, Centre and Washington Counties to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19, Counties Now Total 22
As the state continues to seek relief to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19, today Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine revised their “Stay at Home” orders to include Beaver, Centre and Washington counties, bringing the state total to 22...
Pennsylvania is Reinforcing the Health Care System to Fight COVID-19
As Pennsylvania’s frontline health care workers tirelessly care for patients amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the state is acting to reinforce their ranks by increasing the number of workers and supplies for the health care system. In recent days the state has streamlined...
Wolf Administration Receives USDA Approval for COVID-19 Disaster Food Distribution
Just one day after a letter from Governor Tom Wolf to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding received approval for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to operate a Disaster Household Distribution program,...
Federal REAL ID Enforcement Deadline Postponed to October 2021
Harrisburg, PA –Today the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that 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...
Pennsylvania Extends License Renewal Deadlines for Nurses and Others During Coronavirus Emergency
Harrisburg, PA – In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Department of State is giving nurses, graduate medical trainees, nursing home administrators and other professionals more time to renew their occupational licenses. April, May and June license renewal...
Department of Human Services Creates Online Tool for Essential Workers to Find Child Care Providers with Approved Waivers, Reminds Operating Providers of COVID-19 Safety Recommendations
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced a new toolOpens In A New Window available on the department’s website designed to help essential workers connect with child-care providers that have been granted a waiver by the department’s...
March 27: State Police Releases Non-Life-Sustaining Businesses Enforcement Totals
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police released data on actions taken yesterday, March 26, against non-life-sustaining businesses that failed to comply with Governor Tom Wolf's order closing their physical locations. Enforcement began on Monday, March 23,...
Gov. Wolf Signs COVID-19 Response Bills to Bolster Health Care System, Workers, and Education and Reschedule the Primary Election
Governor Tom Wolf signed four bills today to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania that bolster the health care system, benefit workers and schools, and reschedule the 2020 primary election for June 2. The governor signed House Bill 1232, which provides $50...
Kane Centers Announce Two Residents Test Positive for COVID-19
PITTSBURGH – Kane Community Living Centers (Kane) today announced that two residents of the Glen Hazel facility have tested positive for COVID-19. Both residents were tested due to unexplained fevers. They remain at the facility in isolation. Kane has been proactive...
Wolf Administration Encourages Use of Telemedicine Access for Centers of Excellence Patients
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued guidance to the commonwealth’s opioid use disorder Centers of Excellence (COEs) to provide case management to clients through telemedicine in order for clients throughout COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
Governor Wolf and Health Secretary Expand ‘Stay at Home’ Order to Nine More Counties to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19, Counties Now Total 19
As the state continues to seek relief to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19, today Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine revised their “Stay at Home” orders to include nine additional counties – Berks, Butler, Lackawanna, Lancaster,...
Essential Services for Vulnerable Populations Will Continue Regardless of COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts
Harrisburg, PA - Today, Governor Tom Wolf issued a statement to reassure all Pennsylvanians that essential services critical to the lives, health and safety of vulnerable populations will continue regardless of actions taken to slow the spread of COVID-19. “Under...
PennDOT Reopens Five Additional Rest Areas
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reopening indoor facilities at five additional rest areas statewide. PennDOT’s 30 rest areas were temporarily closed statewide on March 17 in response to Governor Tom Wolf’s mitigation...
PennDOT Extends Expiration Dates on Driver Licenses, ID Cards, Vehicle Registrations and Other Products
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that expiration dates for driver licenses, identification cards, learner's permits, persons with disability placards, vehicle registrations and safety and emission...
Jail Reports Positive COVID-19 Case of Staff Member
PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Jail today announced an employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee did not provide direct care to inmates at the jail and has not been at work since the afternoon of Thursday, March 19, 2020. At this time, there are no...
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.