COVID-19 UPDATE: Resources, information, and helpful tips to protect you and your family!
Telephone Town Hall on the COVID-19 VACCINE
LIVE daily briefings from the PA Department of Health:
pacast.com/live/doh or www.governor.pa.gov/live/ or watch on Facebook
Welcome to my resource page on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus/COVID-19. Understandably, there are many concerns regarding the health and safety of the public as we continue to assess the situation. I hope these resources and the information provided will answer your questions.
I will continue to monitor the situation here in Pennsylvania and remain in contact with health and emergency officials. As always, we will provide additional information as it becomes available. To stay up-to-date with the latest developments here, please sign up for email alerts below.
COVID-19 Virtual Vaccine Town Hall
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Latest News
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...
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.
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.
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.
Stay up-to-date!
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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:
What is coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others circulating among animals, including camels, cats and bats.
The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person-to-person. This virus was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
Symptoms of the COVID-19 can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying.
How can the Coronavirus spread?
Human coronaviruses spread just like the flu or a cold:
- Through the air by coughing or sneezing;
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it;
- Occasionally, fecal contamination.
How can I help protect myself?
Prevention:
- Cover coughs or sneezes with your elbow. Do not use your hands!
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Clean surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remotes, and other frequently touched items.
- Contain: if you are sick, stay home until you are feeling better.
In addition, it is recommended that Pennsylvanians take time to prepare now. View the PA Emergency Preparedness Guide.
Resources
- Coronavirus fact sheet – DOH (PDF)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) fact sheet – CDC (PDF)
- What to do if you are sick with COVID-19 (PDF)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Isolation vs. Quarantine Infographic – NJDOH (PDF)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQ
- Preventing COVID-19 From Spreading to Others in Communities
- Stigma Related to COVID-19
- Share Facts About COVID-19
- Interim Guidance: Get Your Household Ready for COVID-19
- Interim Guidance: Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready for COVID-19
- Pandemic Information
- Insurance Coverage and COVID-19 FAQ
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.
Feeding Kids During COVID-19: Emergency Grants and Updated Resources
No Kid Hungry is offering real-time emergency grant funding to schools and community organizations that are making sure kids have access to the meals they need as schools close due to coronavirus. The need is devastating; we received thousands of requests for grants in the first few days, and heard heart-breaking stories. To date, they have awarded more than $3.9 million in grants to 147 organizations across 40 states and DC.
No Kid Hungry is providing millions of dollars in additional grants in the coming weeks for schools and local non-profits in our communities that could benefit from this program to continue providing critical nutrition assistance. For additional information on the program and application process, please CLICK HERE.