¹ Total case counts include confirmed and probable cases.
² Negative case data only includes negative PCR tests. Negative case data does not include negative antibody tests.
Case data from PA-NEDSS.  Death data is a combination of PA-NEDSS and EDRS

¹ Tested per 100,000 residents represents the cumulative sum of tests within the specified geography

² Cases per 100K represents the 14 day sum of new cases per 100,000 residents'

State Coronavirus Updates

• 8.11.2020 Governor Wolf
  • Press conference around a manufacturing expansion that is focusing on COVID testing.
• 8.13.2020 Governor Wolf
  • Press conference regarding health disparities and the new task force who released a Health Disparity Report.
• Wolf and Lt. Gov. Fetterman Announce Pennsylvania COVID-19 Response Task Force for Health Disparity Report: In mid-April, Governor Tom Wolf and Lt. Governor John Fetterman announced the creation of a COVID-19 Response Task Force for Health Disparity to help communicate issues about how the pandemic is affecting the state’s minority and marginalized populations. “About a month after the first cases of COVID-19 were identified in Pennsylvania, I asked Lt. Gov. Fetterman to chair a new task force that would identify any differences in health outcomes for different populations,” Gov. Wolf said. “And to make recommendations to ensure every Pennsylvanian, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background, has equal opportunity to survive and thrive during this pandemic and beyond.” Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020081376.HTM
• Department of Agriculture Releases COVID-19 Restaurant Enforcement Actions: The Department of Agriculture released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from August 3 through August 9, 2020. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants including social distancing, masking, and occupancy limits. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020081276.HTM
• Wolf Administration Reminds Pennsylvanians of Importance of Contact Tracing, Advises of Possible Scams: The Pennsylvania departments of Health and Aging warned Pennsylvanians about contact tracing scams and emphasized the need to stay alert as COVID-19 remains a threat in our communities. Scams might include a caller asking for someone’s Social Security number or payment for tracing services – neither of which are ever a component of a contact tracing inquiry. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020081280.HTM
• Governor Wolf Announces 2020 PHARE Funding to Support Affordable Housing Across Pennsylvania: Governor Tom Wolf announced recipients of a new round of funding for housing programs made available through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund. The governor named 214 housing and community development initiatives in 67 counties that will share a portion of the total $45.79 million in PHARE funding. The PHARE fund, which is sometimes referred to as the state Housing Trust Fund, is managed by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020081377.HTM
• Governor Wolf Announces Funding for Affordable Rental Housing: Governor Tom Wolf announced awards totaling $42 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits, $6.08 million in PennHOMES funding, and $12.6 million in National Housing Trust Funds for the construction of 36 affordable multifamily housing developments in Pennsylvania. The federal tax credits are administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and were approved by its board. Read more: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-announces-funding-for-affordable-rental-housing/
• When could your school close because of coronavirus? Pa. releases recommendations: Pennsylvania state government agencies are providing school leaders with advice about how to respond when students or employees with confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been on school property, from cleaning and tracing their contacts to shutting down buildings for two weeks or longer. Read more: https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/when-could-your-school-close-because-of-coronavirus-pa-releases-recommendations.html

Regional Coronavirus Updates

• Allegheny County Department of Health
  • There are 766 past or present hospitalizations (+11). In the newest cases (tested July 31 through August 13), ages range from 1 to 96 years with the median age being 43.
• North Hills School District
  • The North Hills School District will start the school year virtually. The district will remain virtual until at least Oct. 2, then it will move to a hybrid model if cases in the county are low and steady. Under the hybrid, half the students will attend in-person two days per week, and the remaining three days would be online. Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2020/08/13/District-opts-to-start-2020-21-school-year-virtually-North-Hills/stories/202008140005
• West Mifflin School District
  • The West Mifflin Area School District will start the 2020-21 school year with remote learning at least for the first nine weeks of the school year. The remote classes will begin Sept. 8. Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2020/08/13/West-Mifflin-School-district-plans-virtual-reopening/stories/202008140012
• Urban Redevelopment Authority
  • PNC Foundation Awards $10 Million Investment to URA to Support Equitable Initiatives Citywide - The PNC Foundation has awarded the Authority a $10 million non-revolving line of credit to support equitable economic recovery initiatives citywide. The funds will be dispersed as follows:
    • $6.5 million to be used for the COVID-19 Recovery Loan Fund
    • $1 million to be used for Catapult: Startup to Storefront Program
    • $2.5 million to be transferred to Invest PGH, Inc.- an emerging community development financing institution (CDFI) being incubated by the URA

Read more: https://www.ura.org/news/pnc-foundation-awards-10-million-investment-to-ura-to-support-equitable-initiatives-citywide

• Pitt-UPMC study: Repeat COVID-19 testing largely confirm initial results: A study of more than 30,000 tests for COVID-19 at Pittsburgh-based UPMC’s 40 hospitals, doctors’ offices and outpatient clinics in Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland for the month ending May 3 found that the secondary findings rarely varied from the first results, according to a journal article recently published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. The study also found that ordering repeat tests was uncommon among UPMC doctors during the month studied. Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/08/13/Pitt-UPMC-study-repeat-COVID-19-testing-largely-confirm-initial-results/stories/202008120128
• SEA seeks more than $20 million in pandemic-related aid for sports venues, convention center: The Sports & Exhibition Authority is seeking more than $20 million in government aid, with the bulk of it dedicated to making COVID-19-related improvements to Heinz Field, PNC Park, PPG Paints Arena and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/08/13/SEA-COVID-19-Heinz-Field-PNC-Park-PPG-Paints-Arena-Lawrence-Convention-Center-Sports/stories/202008130164
• Large crowds taking toll on Pennsylvania state parks: Natural resources across Pennsylvania are being taxed as thousands more visitors are turning to them for summertime recreation as mandates associated with the coronavirus pandemic have shut down pools, festivals and other warm weather activities. Crowd-related issues — litter, parking, venturing off marked trails — are affecting parks statewide and are more severe near bigger cities, said Terrence Brady, spokesman for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.Read more: https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/large-crowds-taking-a-toll-on-pennsylvania-state-parks/

Federal Coronavirus Updates

• Department of Labor
  • U.S. Department Of Labor Announces Guidance For The Lost Wages Assistance Program To Provide Needed Relief To Americans: The U.S. Department of Labor announced the release of guidance to help states implement the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program. LWA is authorized by Presidential Memorandum, and provides claimants in most Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs up to $400 per week additional benefits, starting with weeks of unemployment ending on or after Aug. 1, 2020, and ending Dec. 27, 2020 at the latest. LWA will be administered by states and territories through a grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and with support from the Labor Department. Read more: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20200812-0
• Department of Health and Human Services
  • HHS Invests in Diagnostic Labs to Expand COVID-19 Testing Capacity in the United States: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced combined investments of $6.5 million in two commercial diagnostic laboratories to expand capacity to conduct up to 4 million additional SARS-CoV-2 per month. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19. The investments in Aegis Sciences Corporation and in Sonic Healthcare USA will provide critical laboratory equipment supplied by Beckman Coulter Life Sciences and Thermo Fisher Scientific and increase staffing and infrastructure to allow the U.S. to perform an additional 1 million tests each week by early October. Read more: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/08/13/hhs-invests-in-diagnostic-labs-to-expand-covid-19-testing-capacity-in-the-united-states.html

National Coronavirus Updates

• According to CNN, as of 12:45pm on Friday, August 14, 2020, there are 167,369 coronavirus-related deaths and 5,262,116 total positive cases in the United States.
• CDC Director Warns This Fall Could Be The Worst Ever For Public Health: The U.S. now has more than 5 million cases and 166,700 deaths from the coronavirus. And with flu season approaching, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned on Wednesday that things could get a lot more grim. Read more:  https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/08/13/902388083/cdc-director-warns-this-fall-could-be-the-worst-ever-for-public-health
• New Jobless Claims Dip Below 1 Million For 1st Time Since March: First-time claims for state unemployment benefits dropped below 1 million last week for the first time since the pandemic hit the economy in March. Claims under a special pandemic program for gig workers and others who are typically not eligible for unemployment also fell. Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/08/13/902102168/new-jobless-claims-dip-below-1-million-for-first-time-since-march
• Canada, U.S. continue border restrictions into September: Canada and the U.S. have agreed to extend current land border restrictions until Sept. 21, top border officials said Friday. Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/14/canada-us-border-restrictions-september-395295
• COVID-19 Death Rate For Black Americans Twice That For Whites, New Report Says: Black Americans are becoming infected with the coronavirus at a rate three times that of whites and they are twice as likely to die from COVID-19, according to a new report from the National Urban League, based partly on data from Johns Hopkins University. Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/08/13/902261618/covid-19-death-rate-for-black-americans-twice-that-for-whites-new-report-says
• NCAA Says No Championships This Fall, Except Maybe Football: In a video statement released on Twitter, NCAA president Mark Emmert says, "We cannot, at this point, have fall NCAA championships." He says there are not enough schools participating because of coronavirus cancellations and season postponements. Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/08/13/902399127/ncaa-says-no-championships-this-fall-except-maybe-football
• Midsummer Shopping In Recovery Mode: July Retail Sales Rise 1.2%: Retailers had placed much hope on a big midsummer shopping spurt, but July proved to be somewhat lackluster, amid renewed lockdowns and new waves of coronavirus cases. Retail sales grew only 1.2% last month compared to June. Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/08/14/901663621/midsummer-shopping-okay-despite-covid-spikes-july-retail-sales-rise-1-2

¹ Total case counts include confirmed and probable cases.
² Negative case data only includes negative PCR tests. Negative case data does not include negative antibody tests.
Case data from PA-NEDSS.  Death data is a combination of PA-NEDSS and EDRS

¹ Tested per 100,000 residents represents the cumulative sum of tests within the specified geography

² Cases per 100K represents the 14 day sum of new cases per 100,000 residents'

State Coronavirus Updates

• 8.11.2020 Governor Wolf
  • Press conference around a manufacturing expansion that is focusing on COVID testing.
• Wolf Administration: Medical Device Company OraSure Expansion to Increase COVID-19 Testing Capabilities, Bring New Jobs: Governor Tom Wolf announced that OraSure Technologies Inc., a developer and manufacturer of rapid diagnostic tests, collection and stabilization devices headquartered in Northampton County, will expand its manufacturing operations in the Lehigh Valley, creating 177 new, full-time jobs and retaining 233 jobs. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020081193.HTM

Regional Coronavirus Updates

• Allegheny County Department of Health
  • There are 738 past or present hospitalizations (+1). In the newest cases (tested August 3 through August 11), ages range from 6 to 96 years with the median age being 45.
• Pittsburgh Public Schools
  • This year, due to the need for social distancing, PPS will decrease its bus capacity by 67%. That means that a 72 passenger bus will hold 24 students, a 48 passenger bus will hold 16 students and a nine passenger vehicle will hold three students. The district said PPS students will be required to social distance and wear masks both at the bus stop and on the bus. Drivers will disinfect buses between routes and buses will receive a deep cleaning every other day. Read more: https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2020/08/11/heres-how-school-bussing-will-work-for-pps-this-y.html
• University of Pittsburgh
  • The University of Pittsburgh is participating in a virtual gig economy connecting alumni, students and recent graduates as of July 15. New software, called Bridges, allows alumni to post remote work tasks for their businesses — projects like building a website, analyzing company data or constructing a social media strategy. Students and grads from the same school can sign up to complete the tasks. Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2020/08/12/students-alumni-grads-colleges-job-career-Bridges-Pitt-Chatham-CMU-Duquesne/stories/202008060042
• Nearly 5,000 small firms get $96 million in first round of state’s COVID-19 grant program: In Allegheny County, 462 companies will receive grants that average about $20,000 apiece, state officials said Monday. The grants range from $5,000-$50,000. Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2020/08/11/small-business-grants-COVID-19-Pennsylvania-96-million-dollars/stories/202008100104

Federal Coronavirus Updates

• Department of Health and Human Services
  • HHS Announces Investments for Health Information Exchanges to Strengthen their Ability to Support State and Local Public Health Agencies: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity to expand and accelerate innovative uses of electronic health information via health information exchanges (HIEs) to support state and local public health agencies. Strengthening health data exchange and use between HIEs and state and local public health agencies will help communities to better prevent, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies, including disasters and pandemics such as COVID-19. Read more: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/08/12/hhs-announces-investments-for-health-information-exchanges-to-strenghten-ability-to-support-state-and-local-public-health-agencies.html
• Department of Labor
  • Statement By U.S. Secretary Of Labor Scalia On Presidential Memorandum Authorizing The Other Needs Assistance Program For Major Disaster Declarations Related To Coronavirus Disease 2019: S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the signed Presidential Memorandum Authorizing the Other Needs Assistance Program for Major Disaster Declarations Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019: Read more: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20200808
  • ICYMI: U.S. Department Of Labor Acts To Help American Workers And Employers During The Coronavirus Pandemic: Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor took a range of actions to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic. Read more: hhttps://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20200809
• National Institutes of Health
  • Clinical trials of monoclonal antibodies to prevent COVID-19 now enrolling: Two Phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials testing whether experimental monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can prevent infection by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus are now enrolling healthy adults at clinical trial sites in the United States. Many of the trial sites and study investigators are part of the COVID-19 Prevention Network (CoVPN), recently established by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), one of the National Institutes of Health. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The trials are enrolling adults who are at risk of infection due to close contact at work or home to persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Read more: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/clinical-trials-monoclonal-antibodies-prevent-covid-19-now-enrolling

National Coronavirus Updates

• According to CNN, as of 2:45pm on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, there are 165,328 coronavirus-related deaths and 5,171,343 total positive cases in the United States.
• Derailment of small business rescue clouds U.S. recovery: The Paycheck Protection Program, which has kept millions of small businesses afloat during the pandemic, is in limbo, creating a new source of uncertainty for the country’s economic recovery. Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/11/derailment-small-business-recovery-393909
• At Least 97,000 Children Tested Positive For Coronavirus In Last 2 Weeks Of July: At least 97,000 children tested positive for the coronavirus during the last two weeks of July, according to a new review of state-level data by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Children's Hospital Association. The increase represents a 40% surge in the nation's cumulative total of child cases. Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/08/11/900861372/at-least-97-000-children-tested-positive-for-coronavirus-in-last-2-weeks-of-july
• The Big Ten, Pac-12 Postpone Football, Other Fall Sports Over Coronavirus Concerns: Two major college conferences — the Big Ten and Pac-12 — each announced Tuesday they were sidelining college football and other fall sports because of the coronavirus, just weeks before schools were scheduled to play their first games. Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/#id901081822

¹ Total case counts include confirmed and probable cases.
² Negative case data only includes negative PCR tests. Negative case data does not include negative antibody tests.
Case data from PA-NEDSS.  Death data is a combination of PA-NEDSS and EDRS

¹ Tested per 100,000 residents represents the cumulative sum of tests within the specified geography

² Cases per 100K represents the 14 day sum of new cases per 100,000 residents'

State Coronavirus Updates

• Pennsylvania Shares Update on COVID-19 Dashboard, Mitigation Efforts in Long-Term Care Facilities: Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard, comparing the seven-day period of July 31 – August 6 to the previous seven days, July 24 – July 30, along with an update on mitigation efforts in all long-term care facilities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020080780.HTM
• Human Services, Agriculture Secretaries Remind Pennsylvanians of Food Assistance Resources, Encourage Support of Charitable Food Networks: “Difficult circumstances created by the pandemic have not subsided, and many families around Pennsylvania still must endure challenges that come from COVID-19’s effect on food security,” said Secretary Miller. “Schools often provide at least one or two nutritious meals each day for students, but as summer continues and schools remain closed, students still need to eat breakfast and lunch. That’s where programs like Power Packs Project come in, bridging the gap when school breakfasts and lunches are not available. We know that going without meals can jeopardize children’s health and development, and the Wolf Administration is committed to doing everything it can to support families and connect them with the resources they need to get through this trying time. We are incredibly grateful to programs like Power Packs Project for their commitment to the communities they serve.” Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020080784.HTM
• Gov. Wolf Announces $96 Million for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19: Governor Tom Wolf announced that $96 million in state grants have been awarded to 4,933 Pennsylvania small businesses that were impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis and subsequent business closure order. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020081091.HTM
• Wolf Administration Provides Additional Recommendations to Help Schools Safely Navigate COVID-19: The Pennsylvania departments of Health (DOH) and Education (PDE) provided school administrators and governing bodies with recommendations as to which instructional models they should consider implementing based on the changing levels of community transmission of COVID-19 in their counties.Opens In A New Window These recommendations are intended to help schools safely provide instruction to students as they progress through the 2020-21 academic year. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020081076.HTM
• Department of Health: Take Proper Steps to Protect Yourself and Baby While Breastfeeding during COVID-19: “Breastmilk contains antibodies that fight infection and boost the baby's immune system. If a mother or baby become sick, the best thing the mother can do is continue breastfeeding to provide her baby with human antibodies. Human milk is the safest food in an emergency, as it contains the proper vitamins and minerals for healthy growth in infants.” Breastfeeding mothers who have tested positive for COVID-19 and choose to breastfeed and/or express breast milk should:
  • Wear a cloth face covering while feeding and during expression of milk;
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before each feeding, before touching any pump or bottle parts, and before expressing breast milk;
  • Use a dedicated breast pump (not shared);
  • Follow recommendations for proper pump cleaning after each use; and
  • If possible, expressed breast milk should be fed to the infant by a healthy caregiver who does not have COVID-19, is not at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and is living in the same home.

Read more: https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/Health-details.aspx?newsid=950

Regional Coronavirus Updates

• Allegheny County Department of Health
  • There are 735 past or present hospitalizations (+1). In the newest cases (tested August 3 through August 9), ages range from 10 to 94 years with the median age being 46.
• With remote schooling this fall, some families turn to child care centers: With many local school districts planning no in-person classes or in-person instruction only a few days a week, some local child care centers — which normally serve children ages 5 and under — are opening their doors to elementary students during the school day. Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/covid-19/2020/08/10/With-remote-schooling-this-fall-some-families-turn-to-child-care-centers-COVID-19/stories/202008070122

Federal Coronavirus Updates

• Department of Health and Human Services
  • HHS Announces Allocations of CARES Act Provider Relief Fund for Nursing Homes: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is announcing the details of the next CARES Act-authorized nursing home Provider Relief Fund (PRF) distribution. Consistent with the Administration’s announcement in late July, the PRF distribution will total approximately $5 billion, and will be used to protect residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities from the impact of COVID-19. Read more: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/08/07/hhs-announces-allocations-of-cares-act-provider-relief-fund-for-nursing-homes.html

National Coronavirus Updates

• According to CNN, as of 2:00pm on Monday, August 10, 2020, there are 163,156 coronavirus-related deaths and 5,063,770 total positive cases in the United States.
• U.S. coronavirus cases pass 5 million: The U.S. coronavirus case count topped 5 million on Sunday, as President Donald Trump and Congress remain at an impasse over the latest emergency relief package. Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/09/us-coronavirus-cases-pass-5-million-392822
• Shortages threaten Trump’s plan for rapid coronavirus tests: The Trump administration is gambling that a new generation of fast, cheap coronavirus tests can bring the U.S. outbreak under control. The challenge now is getting enough of these tests to pursue that strategy. Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/09/coronavirus-test-shortages-trump-plan-rapid-392520
• Trump’s eviction ban would leave most tenants in peril: President Donald Trump’s vow to protect millions of Americans from the threat of eviction has one serious shortcoming: It would do nothing to help the vast majority of the country’s tenants. Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/09/trump-ban-evictions-tenantsperil-392674

¹ Total case counts include confirmed and probable cases.
² Negative case data only includes negative PCR tests. Negative case data does not include negative antibody tests.
Case data from PA-NEDSS.  Death data is a combination of PA-NEDSS and EDRS

¹ Tested per 100,000 residents represents the cumulative sum of tests within the specified geography

² Cases per 100K represents the 14 day sum of new cases per 100,000 residents'

State Coronavirus Updates

• Wolf Administration Provides Recommendation for School and Recreational Youth Sports: The Pennsylvania Department of Health and Department of Education jointly recommended that Pre-K–12 school and recreational youth sports be postponed until at least Jan. 1, 2021, to protect children and teens from COVID-19. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020080667.HTM
• Gov. Wolf: $10.5 Million to Help Career and Technical Education Centers Resume Operations: Governor Tom Wolf is dedicating approximately $10.5 million to Career and Technical Education Centers (CTC) to assist them in implementing public health and safety plans and help them to resume operations. CTC Equity grants provide funding to support effective continuity of education programs such as summer and other expanded programming, and industry credential assessments for students enrolled in CTCs negatively impacted by COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020080677.HTM
• Wolf Administration Highlights Increased Efforts to Expand COVID-19 Testing Availability: Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine highlighted ongoing efforts to expand testing across Pennsylvania to ensure that every Pennsylvanian who wants a test can get one.  Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020080690.HTM
• First Lady, Agriculture Secretary: Every Pennsylvanian Deserves Access to Fresh, Local Food: First Lady Frances Wolf and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding will be joined by Congressman Dwight Evans and food industry leaders to discuss how Pennsylvania’s $10 million Fresh Food Financing Initiative aims to address hunger, food insecurity and food apartheid in the commonwealth while simultaneously increasing market opportunities for Pennsylvania’s agriculture producers. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020080696.HTM
• Wolf Administration Applauds Pennsylvania Business that Responded to Manufacturing Call to Action: Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin highlighted the efforts of Actuated Medical, a manufacturer in Centre County that developed face shields in response to the state’s critical need for personal protective equipment (PPE) through DCED’s Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal(MCAP), which mobilized manufacturers producing COVID-19-related products and supplies or could pivot to producing COVID-19-related supplies. As of the end of July 2020, the MCAP received 2,118 submissions for face shield production. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020080793.HTM

Regional Coronavirus Updates

• Allegheny County Department of Health
  • There are 721 past or present hospitalizations (+8). In the newest cases (tested July 14 through August 6), ages range from 1 to 86 years with the median age being 33.
• Pittsburgh Promise
  • The Promise will not penalize recipients who take a gap year away from college or trade school due to COVID-19. The classes of 2017 through 2020 will have five years of coverage instead of the usual four. Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/06/Pittsburgh-Promise-scholarship-gap-year-students-COVID-19-pandemic/stories/202008060100
• Pittsburgh Public Schools
  • All Pittsburgh Public Schools students will receive a district-issued device this school year, but pre-K through first-grade students will receive an iPad before the start of the year, and students in second through 12th grade will initially receive a laptop by need. Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/05/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-students-district-devices/stories/202008050169
• Blairsville-Saltsburg School District
  • BSSD has adjusted the school calendar to postpone the start of school. Students' first day will be Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Read more: https://www.indianagazette.com/news/local/board-delays-start-of-school-year-for-blairsville-saltsburg-school-district/article_4ed40456-d7f0-11ea-9d23-67d5e2bef715.html

Federal Coronavirus Updates

• Department of Health and Human Services
  • HHS, DOD Collaborate With Johnson & Johnson to Produce Millions of COVID-19 Investigational Vaccine Doses: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Defense (DoD) announced an agreement with the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, to demonstrate large-scale manufacturing and delivery of the company's COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Under the terms of the agreement, the federal government will own the resulting 100 million doses of vaccine. Read more: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/08/05/hhs-dod-collaborate-with-johnson-and-johnson-to-produce-millions-of-covid-19-investigational-vaccine-doses.html
• Department of State
  • Lifting of Global Level 4 Global Health Advisory - Global Level 4 Health Advisory, issued on March 19, 2020, advised U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. The Department is returning to the previous system of country-specific levels of travel advice (with Levels from 1-4 depending on country-specific conditions). The most recent review from the European Council on July 30, 2020 still blocks entry to U.S. tourists, and the U.K. requires travelers from the U.S. to quarantine for 14 days. Read more: https://www.state.gov/lifting-of-global-level-4-global-health-advisory/

National Coronavirus Updates

• According to CNN, as of 11:00m on Friday, August 7, 2020, there are 160,157 coronavirus-related deaths and 4,888,070 total positive cases in the United States.
• Long Road To Recovery: Hiring Slows In July, As U.S. Employers Add 1.8 Million Jobs: U.S. employers added 1.8 million jobs last month, as the unemployment rate dipped to 10.2%. The pace of hiring slowed from June, when employers added a record 4.8 million jobs. That suggests a long road back to full employment for the tens of millions of people who have been laid off during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/08/07/899873601/long-road-to-recovery-hiring-slows-in-july-as-u-s-employers-add-1-8-million-jobs

¹ Total case counts include confirmed and probable cases.
² Negative case data only includes negative PCR tests. Negative case data does not include negative antibody tests.
Case data from PA-NEDSS.  Death data is a combination of PA-NEDSS and EDRS

¹ Tested per 100,000 residents represents the cumulative sum of tests within the specified geography

² Cases per 100K represents the 14 day sum of new cases per 100,000 residents'

State Coronavirus Updates

• L&I Holding Virtual Town Hall on Unemployment Benefits Tomorrow Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 1 p.m.: Pennsylvanians can ask questions directly to unemployment compensation experts during the Department of Labor & Industry’s (L&I) eleventh live virtual town hall from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, Thursday, August 6, 2020. The event will feature information about regular unemployment compensation (UC) and other federal COVID-19-related benefits programs. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020080590.HTM

Regional Coronavirus Updates

• Allegheny County Department of Health
  • There are 701 past or present hospitalizations (+9). In the newest cases (tested July 15 through August 4), ages range from 11 months to 94 years with the median age being 42.
• Pittsburgh Public Schools
  • Pittsburgh Public Schools’ most updated safety plan lays out a phased approach to return employees to school buildings starting in October. Read more: https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2020/08/05/pittsburgh-public-schools-lays-out-plan-to-return.html
• Bethel Park School District
  • The board expects to decide on a different plan Tuesday, Aug. 11, according to school board President Pamela Dobos. Read more: https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/bethel-park-scraps-full-in-person-learning-leaning-toward-some-in-school-days-some-days-online/
• Two weeks in, restaurant inspection team targets those not following the rules: It’s been nearly two weeks since the Allegheny County Health Department launched a webpage that lists the results of visits by a special 10-person virus task force formed to educate businesses on safety measures and follow up on complaints by the public. So far, the team has visited 647 bars and restaurants, finding 76 businesses that broke at least one of the county’s COVID-19 safety rules. The figures cover the period from July 23 when the inspections began through Aug. 3. Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/08/05/Allegheny-County-Health-Department-restaurant-inspections-violations-COVID-masks/stories/202008040135

Federal Coronavirus Updates

• Census Bureau
  • The Census Bureau announced updates to their plan that will include enumerator awards and the hiring of more employees to accelerate the completion of data collection and apportionment counts by the statutory deadline of December 31, 2020. Field data collection will end by September 30, 2020. Read more: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020/delivering-complete-accurate-count.html
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Considerations for Community-Based Organizations: As some community-based organizations (CBOs) begin to resume or increase their level of activities, CDC offers the following considerations for ways these organizations can help protect individuals and communities and slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). CBOs can play a vital role in maintaining community morale and cohesion. They can also serve as a crucial link between communities and local health and other officials, providing insight about the feasibility and acceptability of proposed mitigation strategies and informing authorities about resources and needs in their communities. Read more: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/community-based.html
  • When to Quarantine: Recent updates to quarantining guidelines. Read more: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html
• Department of Health and Human Services
  • HHS, DOD Collaborate With Johnson & Johnson to Produce Millions of COVID-19 Investigational Vaccine Doses: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Defense (DoD) announced an agreement with the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, to demonstrate large-scale manufacturing and delivery of the company's COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Under the terms of the agreement, the federal government will own the resulting 100 million doses of vaccine. Read more: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/08/05/hhs-dod-collaborate-with-johnson-and-johnson-to-produce-millions-of-covid-19-investigational-vaccine-doses.html

National Coronavirus Updates

• According to CNN, as of 3:00pm on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, there are 157,416 coronavirus-related deaths and 4,793,950 total positive cases in the United States.
• 'Nothing Feels Tangible': Virtual Is New Reality For Grads Starting New Jobs: Across the board, from entry-level jobs to paid internships, the prospects for new college graduates have plummeted during the pandemic. Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/08/05/898519922/nothing-feels-tangible-virtual-is-new-reality-for-grads-starting-new-jobs

¹ Total case counts include confirmed and probable cases.
² Negative case data only includes negative PCR tests. Negative case data does not include negative antibody tests.
Case data from PA-NEDSS.  Death data is a combination of PA-NEDSS and EDRS

¹ Tested per 100,000 residents represents the cumulative sum of tests within the specified geography

² Cases per 100K represents the 14 day sum of new cases per 100,000 residents

State Coronavirus Updates

• 8.3.2020 Governor Wolf
  • Press Conference on Local Law Enforcement in Important Roles Education and Understanding Play in Enforcement of COVID-19 Orders at Susquehanna County Police Department
• Gov. Wolf: $28 Million to Help Higher Education Resume Operations: Governor Tom Wolf is dedicating approximately $28 million to postsecondary institutions and adult basic education providers to assist them in implementing public health and safety plans and help them to resume operations in the fall. The funding will be used to help keep students, faculty, and staff safe and assist institutions in meeting the unique challenges of providing instruction during COVID-19. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020080384.HTM
• Wolf Administration, Local Law Enforcement Stress Important Roles Education and Understanding Play in Enforcement of COVID-19 Orders: Governor Tom Wolf visited the Susquehanna Township Police headquarters to discuss the important roles education and understanding play in the enforcement of the various COVID-19 mitigation orders in place across the state. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020080385.HTM
• Department of Health Continues to Increase Testing in Several Regions: The Department of Health announced that beginning Wednesday, August 5, various Walmart locations across the state will begin providing drive-thru testing for residents living in areas where there is a need for testing sites. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020080387.HTM
• Future students could pay more after pandemic costs universities millions in refunds and safety measures: The full cost of the COVID-19 pandemic on Pennsylvania’s colleges and universities won’t be known for a while, but rough estimates of the losses and unexpected expenses already adds up to the hundreds of millions of dollars. Read more: https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/how-is-the-pandemic-affecting-your-college-or-university-here-are-some-examples.html

Regional Coronavirus Updates

• Allegheny County Department of Health
  • There are 686 past or present hospitalizations (+1). In the newest cases (tested July 9 through August 2), ages range from 8 to 96 years with the median age being 37.
• Pittsburgh Public Schools
  • Pittsburgh Public Schools board members Friday voted unanimously to hold the first nine weeks of classes virtually. Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/07/31/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-board-vote-start-school-year-online/stories/202007310129
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania
  • IUP, Western Pennsylvania's largest state-owned university, becomes the ninth of 14 members of the State System of Higher Education to shift away from most face-to-face classes given a summer surge in Pennsylvania. Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/03/Indiana-University-of-Pennsylvania-State-System-COVID-19-Michael-Driscoll-fall-IUP/stories/202008030064
• COVID-19 pandemic and shutdowns have burdened caregivers, Pitt research finds: The survey of more than 3,500 family caregivers and non-caregivers was released late last week from Pitt’s National Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Family Support and the University Center for Social and Urban Research. Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/covid-19/2020/08/03/COVID-19-pandemic-and-shutdowns-have-burdened-caregivers-Pitt-research-finds/stories/202007300178
• Should you be tested for COVID-19? Only if you are in a priority group: Doctors at UPMC and Allegheny Health Network — along with Dr. Debra Bogen, director of the Allegheny County Health Department — have all returned to the recommendation that testing be prioritized for those who are experiencing symptoms. Symptoms consistent with the virus include fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle aches and gastrointestinal upset. Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/08/03/covid-19-coronavirus-testing-tests-pennsylvania-symptoms-asymptomatic/stories/202007290112

Federal Coronavirus Updates

• National Institutes of Health
  • NIH delivering new COVID-19 testing technologies to meet U.S. demand: The National Institutes of Health is investing $248.7 million in new technologies to address challenges associated with COVID-19 testing (which detects SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus). NIH’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative has awarded contracts to seven biomedical diagnostic companies to support a range of new lab-based and point-of-care tests that could significantly increase the number, type and availability of tests by millions per week as early as September 2020. With national demand estimated to be millions more tests per day above current levels, these technologies are expected to make a significant contribution to expanding the nation’s testing capacity. Read more: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-delivering-new-covid-19-testing-technologies-meet-us-demand
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Preparing K-12 School Administrators for a Safe Return to School in Fall 2020: This guidance is intended to aid school administrators as they consider how to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of students, teachers, other school staff, their families, and communities and prepare for educating students this fall. Read more: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/prepare-safe-return.html

National Coronavirus Updates

• According to CNN, as of 2:00pm on Monday, August 3, 2020, there are 155,062 coronavirus-related deaths and 4,687,828 total positive cases in the United States.
• Birx Warns U.S. Coronavirus Epidemic Is In 'New Phase' As Cases And Deaths Climb: White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said on Sunday that the U.S. is in a "new phase" of the pandemic, urging people to follow public health guidance as cases continue to climb in many parts of the United States. Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/08/02/898330198/birx-warns-u-s-coronavirus-epidemic-is-in-new-phase-as-cases-and-deaths-climb
• U.S. lacks plan for getting vaccine to communities of color devastated by virus:  The United States is mounting the largest vaccination effort in its history — without a plan on how to reach racial and ethnic groups that have not only been devastated by the virus but are often skeptical about government outreach in their communities. Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/03/vaccine-minority-communities-389878
• Coronavirus creates election worker shortage ahead of November:  First it was toilet paper. Then it was cleaning supplies. Now, a new coronavirus-era shortage is threatening the November election: Poll workers. Recruiting volunteers to check in voters, supply ballots and deal with issues has never been easy for election administrators. But in interviews and public statements, more than a dozen election administrators and voting advocates warned that slow poll worker recruitment could be a major vulnerability for the 2020 election. Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/03/vaccine-minority-communities-389878