September 8, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Today, Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller announced the distribution of $31.5 million to Pennsylvania direct care workers who have continued to work through the COVID-19 crisis – making it possible for individuals with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians to live safely in their homes and near their families.
“I want to thank all direct care workers who have selflessly continued to aid and support their clients during this difficult time. I want to also acknowledge the participants in the self-directed service models who kept their direct care workers employed throughout this crisis despite the risks of COVID-19 exposure,” Secretary Miller said. “This has been an incredibly difficult time for all of us. But for those who are medically vulnerable and the dedicated professionals who care for them, everyday life has been even more challenging.”
September 8, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today shared its weekly update on Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing data.
“Case investigations, contact tracing efforts and ongoing monitoring are proven public health strategies, but the success of these efforts truly relies on Pennsylvanians to do their part to answer the call,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “For case investigations, we need our fellow Pennsylvanians to pick up the phone when public health professionals call, share where they went and who they came in contact with to complete a case investigation. If you are a close contact, we need you to answer the call in order to stop this virus in its tracks before it could affect your loved ones, co-workers or friends across the state.”
September 8, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 8, that there are 496 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 140,359. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between September 1 and September 7 is 147,207 with 5,838 positive cases. There were 12,578 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 7. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
September 8, 2020
With rent and mortgage debt mounting for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians, Governor Tom Wolf is calling on the General Assembly to fix a state relief program to prevent many families from becoming homeless and enact a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until the end of the year. The governor was joined today by legislators and housing advocates at a press conference in Lancaster County.
“Pennsylvania is still racing toward an eviction cliff when thousands of families will face months of unpaid rent and fees,” said Gov. Wolf. “We must address the mounting rent debt to help tenants stay in their home and allow landlords to pay their mortgages.
September 8, 2020
Restaurants to self-certify that they are in compliance with appropriate orders
Governor Tom Wolf today announced that restaurants may increase indoor occupancy to 50 percent starting September 21. To ensure that these businesses operate safely as Pennsylvania continues to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and to instill customers and employees with confidence knowing that they can dine safely, restaurants will commit to strictly complying to all public health safety guidelines and orders through a self-certification process.
September 7, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 7, that there are 547 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 139,863. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between August 31 and September 6 is 161,316 with 5,838 positive cases. There were 16,494 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 6. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
September 6, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 6, that there are 691 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 139,316. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between August 30 and September 5 is 158,994 with 5,791 positive cases. There were 19,065 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 5. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
September 5, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 5, that there are 963 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 138,625. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
Philadelphia is reporting an increase of 124 cases.
September 4, 2020
Dr. Deborah Birx, Coronavirus Response Coordinator for the White House, visited Pennsylvania Thursday to meet with Governor Tom Wolf. During her visit, Dr. Birx praised the Wolf Administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In our fight against COVID-19, the first priority of my administration is to protect the health of Pennsylvanians and their families,” said Gov. Wolf. “We will continue to listen to medical experts and review new research on the virus to ensure we use the most effective tools to combat this pandemic.”
September 4, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak today announced Pennsylvania will complete implementation of the federal Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program ahead of schedule and begin making payments to eligible individuals on Thursday, September 10, 2020. Individuals who apply and qualify will begin receiving their payments as early as Monday, September 14, 2020.
September 3, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 3, that there are 1,160 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 136,771 All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
Allegheny is reporting an increase of 105 cases, Philadelphia is reporting an increase of 257 cases and York is reporting an increase of 128 cases.
September 3, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf and Lt. Governor John Fetterman today called on the legislature to take up the legalization of adult-use cannabis to help with the state’s economic recovery amid COVID-19. Legalization will also create more outlets for important restorative justice programs in the commonwealth.
“Now more than ever, we see a desperate need for the economic boost cannabis legalization can provide. So today I am proposing we legalize adult-use cannabis here in Pennsylvania with a portion of the revenue going toward existing small business grants,” Gov. Wolf said. “Half of these grants would be earmarked for historically disadvantaged businesses, many of which have had difficulties attaining other assistance because of systemic issues.
September 3, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today released updated skilled nursing facility guidance that includes recommendations on COVID-19 routine (or, “screening”) testing strategies for facilities not experiencing an outbreak, Compassionate Caregivers, access to facilities for resident advocates and a revised reopening timeline after a mitigated outbreak.
September 2, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 1,243 licensed liquor establishments from Monday, August 31 through Tuesday, September 1 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include social distancing, masking, and other health and safety requirements of the liquor code.
Liquor Control Enforcement Officers issued five notices of violation and 12 warnings for failing to follow COVID-19 requirements. As mandated by the liquor code, a notice of violation precedes the issuance of an administrative citation, which is civil in nature, and is intended to provide licensed liquor establishments notification of the nature of violation(s) discovered. The investigation remains open during this period, pending review by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE). Because the investigation is ongoing, names of establishments issued a notice of violation will not be released at this time. Each BLCE district office posts a monthly public information releaseOpens In A New Window that includes details on citations issued by that office.
September 2, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 2, that there are 816 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 135,611 All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between August 26 and September 1 is 164,110 with 4,760 positive cases. There were 22,821 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 1. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
September 1, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine today announced that all assisted living residences, personal care homes, and private intermediate care facilities have completed universal baseline COVID-19 testing. To date, 100 percent of the 1,363 DHS-licensed personal care homes, assisted living residences, and private intermediate care facilities have completed universal baseline testing by the August 31 deadline.
September 1, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 1, that there are 770 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 134,795 All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.
The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between August 25 and August 31 is 163,092 with 4,551 positive cases. There were 22,681 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., August 31. These results represent the total number of tests administered.
September 1, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from August 24 through August 30, 2020. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants including social distancing, masking, and occupancy limits.
These numbers include actions taken during routine food safety inspections and inspections prompted by consumer complaints.
September 1, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf was joined by Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) Executive Director and CEO Robin L. Wiessmann, Sen. Jay Costa, Rep. Maureen Madden and advocates to urge the legislature to quickly pass legislation to protect Pennsylvanians from eviction from their homes and fix a state program, so it helps more homeowners and renters as intended.
“Pennsylvanians shouldn’t lose their homes or have to worry about a place to live because of the financial hardships caused by COVID-19,” said Governor Wolf. “Pennsylvanians are making sacrifices to fight this pandemic, but a place to live shouldn’t be one of them. I’ve paused evictions for nearly four months, but now we need legislation. I urge the General Assembly to immediately pass a moratorium on evictions and fix flaws in a rent relief program so more people can get the help they need.”
September 1, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf signed a second renewal of his 90-day disaster declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic yesterday. He originally signed it March 6 following the announcement of the first two presumptive positive cases of the virus in the commonwealth.
“As we approach the six-month mark of this crisis, I continue to be amazed at the resiliency and strength shown by Pennsylvanians during this pandemic,” Gov. Wolf said. “We are going to continue to combat the health and economic effects of COVID-19, and the renewal of my disaster declaration will provide us with resources and support needed for this effort.”
August 31, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard. Updates are released each Monday.
The update includes the following:
- Level of community transmission as a basis for the recommendations for Pre-K to 12 schools to determine instructional models.
- Cases that reported visiting a business among potential locations where exposures may have occurred.
- Updated travel recommendations.
August 31, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today shared an update on Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing data.
“In order to successfully mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we use proven public health strategies such as case investigations, contact tracing efforts and ongoing monitoring and rely on Pennsylvanians to do their part to answer the call,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We have a growing team of dedicated professionals equipped to do this work and truly make a difference, but we need our fellow Pennsylvanians to pick up the phone when they call, share where they went and who they came in contact with to complete a case investigation. We are all united in this together, so please make the right choice to answer the call, it will help to stop this virus in its tracks before it could affect more of our loved ones, co-workers or friends across the state.”
August 31, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 1,249 licensed liquor establishments from Friday, August 28 through Sunday, August 30 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include social distancing, masking, and other health and safety requirements of the liquor code.
Liquor Control Enforcement Officers issued 13 notices of violation and 28 warnings for failing to follow COVID-19 requirements. As mandated by the liquor code, a notice of violation precedes the issuance of an administrative citation, which is civil in nature, and is intended to provide licensed liquor establishments notification of the nature of violation(s) discovered. The investigation remains open during this period, pending review by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE). Because the investigation is ongoing, names of establishments issued a notice of violation will not be released at this time. Each BLCE district office posts a monthly public information releaseOpens In A New Window that includes details on citations issued by that office.
August 31, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) recently opened a $2 million grant opportunity to support clean energy projects in Pennsylvania, which were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applications for the
COVID-19 PEDA Restart Grants opened Monday, August 17, 2020, and will close Friday, October 2, 2020, at 4 PM. Individual awards will not exceed $250,000. Applications must be submitted online through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Electronic Single Application (ESA)
system.
August 31, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced today the availability of approximately $934,000 in competitive grants for elementary, middle and high schools across the state to purchase new food service equipment for cafeterias.
“Students perform better in school when they have access to regular, nutritious meals,” said Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera. “This year will be particularly important for students as their schools adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants will help schools to upgrade cafeteria equipment and continue to provide the essential meals that students need.”
