Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today reminded Pennsylvanians that antibiotics only fight bacteria, not viruses like COVID-19, and warned that overprescribing antibiotics can decrease their ability to fight infections.

“Antibiotics are some of the most powerful tools for fighting life-threatening infections; however, they can also be overprescribed,” Dr. Levine said. “It is important to remember that antibiotics only work to kill bacteria, not viruses like COVID-19. They will not make you feel better if you have a virus and taking them when not needed can decrease their ability to fight infections.”

An antibiotic is a medicine that kills or stops the growth of bacteria. They are essential tools used to treat many common and more serious infections, like those that can lead to sepsis or meningitis.

When antibiotics are used incorrectly, it can lead to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance does not mean the body is becoming resistant to antibiotics; it means bacteria that live in and on our bodies develop the ability to fight the antibiotics designed to kill them. When bacteria become resistant, antibiotics cannot fight them, causing bacteria to multiply. More than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the United States each year.

Always make sure you take antibiotics when needed, don’t ask for antibiotics to treat or prevent viruses, like those that cause the cold, flu or COVID-19, and ask your healthcare provider how to feel better without antibiotics. If your healthcare provider determines that your illness requires antibiotics, take them as prescribed. In addition, make sure you are up to date on all your vaccinations, including the seasonal flu vaccine.

“If you have a cold, the flu, or any other virus such as COVID-19, antibiotics will not work for you,” Dr. Levine said. “It is essential that we take proper steps to prevent getting sick in the first place so we can reduce the amount of antibiotics used and reduce the likelihood that resistant bacteria forms.”

As we continue to see cases of COVID-19 increase across the state, it’s important to remember that it is most commonly spread between people who are in close contact with one another. The department currently has several mitigation efforts in place, such as universal masking, social gathering limitations and business operating guidance. In addition to those mitigation efforts, there are several things you can do to fight the spread:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
• Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

For more information on antibiotics and antibiotic resistant infections, visit www.health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Residential Colleges Across the Northeast Should Provide Testing for Students Before they Leave for Thanksgiving Break And Ensure Students are Aware of Quarantine Rules  

Governors Recommend That All Travel be Limited for Thanksgiving and Urge Colleges to Utilize Increased Remote Instruction to End Fall Semester, Reducing the Need for Students to Travel Back-and-Forth Between Campus and Home Multiple Times      

Multi-State Agreement on College-Related Travel Guidance Reached at Emergency Summit of Northeastern Governors this Past Weekend 

Harrisburg, Pa. – Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Delaware Governor John Carney, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker today announced they will encourage residential colleges and universities in their respective states to provide testing for all students traveling home for Thanksgiving break to the maximum extent possible before they leave campus. Any student who tests positive will be encouraged to isolate on campus before they can travel or detail arrangements of their safe travel home with the local department of health. These efforts will help mitigate the threat of college students returning home for the holidays importing COVID-19 into their communities. In addition, colleges should inform students and their families of relevant quarantine policies in their home state.

“It is our collective responsibility to protect our communities and our most vulnerable from COVID-19 and to continue to work together to get through this pandemic,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “These targeted mitigation efforts, combined with existing ones, are paramount to decreasing the spread of COVID-19. We need everyone to be united in wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and washing our hands in order to save lives and help protect our economies.” 

“As everyone predicted, cases are rising as temperatures drop, and New York is not immune. With the holidays approaching, we are fighting ‘living room spread’ from small gatherings in private homes — and adding college students’ interstate travel will be like pouring gasoline on a fire,” Governor Cuomo said. “We know this virus does not respect borders, which is why governors from across the region are working together to stop the spread. Colleges and universities have to do their part by testing all students before they leave, informing them about quarantine rules, and keeping classes online between Thanksgiving and Winter Break. We beat back the COVID beast in the spring, and by working together we can do it once again this winter.” 

“With Thanksgiving and the broader holiday season fast approaching, we have to recognize that any large family gathering — particularly among different age groups — runs the risk of turning the dinner table into a COVID hotspot,” said Governor Murphy. “To reduce the risk of transmission across our region, we are encouraging colleges and universities to ramp up testing for students returning home, and for anyone who tests positive to adhere to their state’s quarantine restrictions. If we collectively recommit ourselves to the commonsense mitigation practices that got us through the first wave of this pandemic, we can save lives before a vaccine becomes broadly available.” 

Gov. Lamont said, “College students returning from highly infected states could accelerate the spread of COVIC in Connecticut. I appreciate the joint effort of all our regional governors to clearly state the testing/quarantine rules for returning home from college.” 

“There’s no sugarcoating it: this will be a difficult winter,” said Delaware Governor John Carney. “We are seeing rising cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 in our region and across the country as we enter the colder months. The holidays present a significant challenge. I’m thankful for the cooperation in our region and will continue to urge Delawareans to do what works. Wear a mask. Don’t gather with anyone outside your household. Stay vigilant.” 

“As our COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to rise, it’s critical that we come together as a region to slow the spread and keep our constituents safe,” said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. “We all need to be more vigilant about keeping our circles small and our masks on, while at the same time we’re continuing to ramp up asymptomatic testing across-the-board. This collaborative approach among Northeastern states will help us flatten the curve and contain spread over the Thanksgiving holiday.” 

“The region is experiencing a surge in COVID cases and a surge in the serious health impacts this disease brings with it. Working together on travel and higher education policies like these, states can have a bigger impact on COVID spread as students travel for the holidays,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “Gathering with friends and family significantly increases the risk of spreading the virus and while testing and isolation guidelines can help slow the spread, it is up to everyone to wear a mask and avoid gathering indoors with people outside of your household.” 

The combination of rising cases across the country — including in the northeast — due to increased transmission of COVID in small, residential settings and Thanksgiving travel has created the perfect storm for viral spread. If people proceed with celebrations in small gatherings outside of their immediate families, they risk generating a dramatic spike in cases after Thanksgiving. All Governors are urging their residents to stay home and celebrate small this year in an effort to help eliminate the risk of unchecked COVID-19 spread in the coming weeks.

The governors and their public health experts developed this guidance over the weekend at an emergency summit of northeastern governors. The governors also emphasized the importance of in-person education. Medical research as well as the data from northeastern states, from across the country, and from around the world make clear that in-person learning is safe when the appropriate protections are in place, even in communities with high transmission rates. In-person learning is the best possible scenario for children, especially those with special needs and from low-income families. There is also growing evidence that the more time children spend outside of school increases the risk of mental health harm and affects their ability to truly learn.

In order to stop college-related travel spreading COVID, colleges and universities in New York, Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania will be encouraged to make testing available to all students before they leave for Thanksgiving break and inform students and their families of states’ quarantine requirements. Any student who tests positive before they leave should be permitted to isolate on campus or may travel safely with the approval of the local departments of health. Students who are already isolating or quarantining on campus must remain in place until completing their prescribed seclusion.

In addition, the Governors are strongly recommending that colleges and universities finish their fall semesters by expanding remote instruction, enabling more students to learn from home for the few weeks between Thanksgiving and winter break rather than require students to travel back to campus and then back home again in December. Half of colleges and universities across the northeast have already indicated they will be fully remote between Thanksgiving and the end of their fall semester. Colleges and universities should prioritize on-campus programs for students who did not travel or who need in-person exams or clinical and laboratory experiences.

If colleges and universities do reopen for in-person instruction during this period, all returning students should receive COVID-19 tests and comply with relevant isolation and quarantine protocols. These institutions should also double down on precautions including frequent health screenings and surveillance testing due the increased risk of COVID exposure from student travel.

LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference has announced the cancellation of its mandated regular-season and championship competition for winter sports following a vote of the league’s Board of Directors.

Last week, the Board cancelled PSAC Championship seasons in fall sports, yet allowed for league championship opportunities in those sports should six or more schools elect to participate.  All schools electing to play must abide by existing league rules and the NCAA Guidelines that have been set due to the existing Covid-19 Pandemic.  The same requirements exist for the winter sports that have been cancelled.

Last week the Board agreed to proceed with the intent to play a full regular and championship season for all spring sports in 2021.

Should member institutions wish to compete in fall and winter sport championship seasons, they are to declare their intent to the conference office by the end of the work day Wednesday, November 18.  The PSAC office will review all notifications and make an announcement as soon as possible as to whether there is support to continue with a championship season in any of those sports.

“With careful consideration to health concerns and realistic abilities to conduct sport seasons amid this pandemic, our conference and our membership is forced to make some very difficult decisions,” said PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray.  “With the time we have to continue weighing our options, we are fully committed to playing a spring sports season.  We will remain supportive of any other decisions to play sports and host championship events should our membership view it as a safe and reasonable opportunity.” 

Fall and winter sports that may be subject to cancellation include: men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, indoor track & field, soccer and swimming, as well as women’s sports in volleyball and field hockey, and men’s sports in football and wrestling.  Any cancellation of league schedules or championships does not preclude individual institutions from participating in countable athletically related activities nor exploring competition outside of the previously mandated schedule.

Lycoming County – Lycoming County Resource Management Services has reopened the recycling drop off site at Brady Township, located at 1986 Elimsport Road, Montgomery, PA 17752.

If you or anyone in your household has COVID19, please throw away your recyclables. If you do not wish to visit the drop off sites, please know single stream recycling is available in Lycoming County. Reach out to your waste hauler for details.

Recycling drop off site has reopened at Brady Township, located at the Township Building. Please know that the recycling site no longer has steps to use the plastics/metals container.

Please be aware that collection procedures have changed. To better accommodate the inbound recyclables and help with its transportation, more materials will be combined:

1. FIBER/PAPERS which include magazines, newspapers, chipboard, office paper junk mail, and cardboard that has been broken down are all acceptable into one container.

2. PLASTICS BOTTLES 1&2/METAL CANS which include plastic bottles/jars #1&2 only, tin/steel cans, and aluminum cans are all acceptable into one container.

3. GLASS BOTTLES/JARS are still acceptable and are still separated by color (clear/brown/green).

PLASTIC BAGS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE IN THE RECYCLING CONTAINERS, PLEASE EMPTY ANY BAGGED MATERIAL AND TAKE THE BAGS BACK HOME WITH YOU (only exception is for shredded office paper, please put your shredded office paper in a clear bag).

Thank you for your recycling participation. Please know that you may recycle at any of the open Lycoming County recycling drop off sites regardless of your municipality. For an updated list of open drop off sites, please check our website www.lcrms.com.

Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced beginning Saturday, November 21, a drive-thru and outdoor testing clinic will be held in the parking lot at the former Dickson City K-Mart in Lackawanna County to help contain the recent rapid increase in COVID-19 cases.

“Since the beginning of September, we have seen an increase of 2,276 cases in Lackawanna County, which gives us significant cause for concern,” Dr. Levine said. “This testing site will be open to anyone who feels they need a test. It is important that even people with no symptoms who test positive isolate to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

The department has signed a contract with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare (AMI) to provide testing in communities in need across Pennsylvania. Lackawanna is the last county to receive testing from this contract. AMI has already deployed to Centre, Columbia, Indiana, Berks, Northumberland, Lebanon, Huntingdon, Westmoreland, Blair and Bradford counties to perform community testing.

The department decides which counties to deploy testing based on the total number of confirmed cases in the last 14 days per 100,000 people as well as where outbreaks are happening, county population, and other metrics.

This week, Lackawanna has the 58th-highest percent-positivity in the state at 6.3 percent. This is up from a percent-positivity of 4.1 percent the previous week. The department believes that increased testing in the county will assist in determining the prevalence of the virus and assist the county in moving forward. Other concerning counties, identified as those with percent positives above 5 percent, can be found on the Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard. Each county is being monitored as the state continues to examine all available data.

Testing will be available daily from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM starting Saturday, November 21 through Tuesday, November 24.

The address for Lackawanna County testing is the former Dickson City K-Mart, 1011 Scranton Carbondale Highway, Scranton, PA, 18508.

Up to 440 patients can be tested per day. Mid-nasal passage swab tests will be performed. Testing is on a first-come, first-serve basis and is completely free to all patients. Patients must be ages three and older and are not required to show symptoms of COVID-19 in order to be tested. No appointment is necessary. Patients are encouraged to bring a photo-ID or insurance card. Registration will also be completed on-site. The turnaround time for testing results is two to seven days after testing.

Individuals who are tested should self-quarantine while they await test results. Individuals who live with other people should self-quarantine in a private room and use a private bathroom if possible. Others living in the home with the individual awaiting test results should also stay at home. The department has additional instructions for individuals waiting for a COVID-19 test result.

For the latest information for individuals, families, businesses and schools, visit “Responding to COVID-19” on pa.gov.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
• Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials

Harrisburg, PA – Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today reminded Pennsylvanians of the pilot program that allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to purchase groceries online through participating retailers approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Last month, SNAP recipients bought more than $10.5 million worth of groceries online through Pennsylvania’s pilot program.

“Just five months since its launch, this program has already made a significant and positive difference in the lives of the Pennsylvania families who have chosen to take advantage of it. SNAP recipients deserve the same flexibilities and conveniences of our economy as anyone else,” Secretary Miller said. “But this is about more than convenience. COVID-19 cases are on the rise, and Pennsylvanians need to be increasingly cautious about risk of exposure. Online food shopping empowers Pennsylvania’s families to protect themselves and vulnerable loved ones, and I’m pleased that SNAP families are now among those protected in this way.”

The pilot program allows SNAP recipients to purchase groceries from home, which can help limit trips out of the home as Pennsylvania sees rising cases of COVID-19. In the most recent month ending October 20, nearly 3 percent of Pennsylvania’s SNAP transactions were used to purchase food online, equating to nearly 142,000 total transactions. The pilot program currently includes four approved retailers: Amazon, the Fresh Grocer, Shoprite, and Walmart.

SNAP is an important supporter of Pennsylvania’s economy, with more than 10,000 authorized retailers participating in SNAP across Pennsylvania. In May 2019, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a study on the influence of SNAP redemptions on the economy and county-level employment in the time leading up to, during, and after the Great Recession. This study found that SNAP redemptions could have a greater economic stimulus impact than other forms of government spending per dollar spent, especially during a recession, because they are paid directly to low-income individuals. For instance, the grocery subsidies deliver food directly to tables along with a financial return into rural supermarkets and small businesses in those communities.

“This rapid expansion of SNAP online is an essential move that now provides safe access to food for those in greatest need. As the association representing the retail food industry in Pennsylvania, the PA Food Merchants Association supports the work of the Department of Human Services in promoting the program to SNAP recipients and encouraging retailers to participate,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. “With the increased needs and challenges families face during the pandemic, this program makes grocery shopping less daunting.”

Retailers that are interested in participating in the online pilot program must contact the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and review the requirements. Retailers that do not wish to join the pilot program can still offer delivery or pick-up flexibility options for SNAP recipients by using mobile EBT processing equipment that would allow customers to pay with SNAP when groceries are delivered or picked up. Farmers’ markets may be able to receive this processing equipment at no cost through a grant opportunity provided by DHS.

“I believe Pennsylvania’s SNAP families would welcome additional retailers into this program, and I encourage more companies with Pennsylvania locations to consider participating. Online food shopping – especially during a pandemic — is a win-win-win for Pennsylvania families, retailers and the economy,” Secretary Miller said.

Only eligible food items normally paid for by SNAP may be purchased from participating retailers online with SNAP benefits. Delivery fees, driver tips, and other associated charges may not be paid for with SNAP benefits. This initiative does not include the ability to transact Cash Assistance benefits using the EBT card; therefore, individuals will need to use another method of payment, such as a pre-paid debit card, to cover non-allowable fees. More information about Pennsylvania’s pilot program is available here.

Applications for SNAP and other public assistance programs can be submitted online at www.compass.state.pa.us. Those who prefer to submit paper documentation can print the application from the website or request an application by phone at 1-800-692-7462 and mail it to their local County Assistance Office (CAO) or place it in a CAO’s secure drop box, if available. While CAOs remain closed, work processing applications, determining eligibility, and issuing benefits continues. Clients should use COMPASS or the MyCOMPASS PA mobile app to submit necessary updates to their case files while CAOs are closed.

For more information about food assistance resources for people around Pennsylvania impacted by COVID-19 and the accompanying economic insecurity, visit https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Food_Security/Pages/default.aspx.

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from November 9 through November 15, 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.

From November 9 through November 15, the Bureau of Food Safety performed 489 total inspections, 21 of which were complaint-driven; 12 were COVID-19 specific complaints. The bureau distributed 87 COVID-19 complaint-driven educational letters. 19 COVID-19 related complaints were referred to local and county health jurisdictions.  No formal Warning Letters were issued or citations were filed.

A county by county breakdown of COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions can be found on the Department of Agriculture’s website. The data will be updated weekly, with data from the previous week.

Among other requirements, all businesses in the restaurant and retail food service industry authorized to conduct in-person activities are mandated to:

• Require all customers to wear a mask while entering, exiting, or otherwise traveling through the restaurant or retail food service business (mask may be removed while seated).
• Employees are required to wear masks at all times.
• Provide at least six feet between parties at tables or physical barriers between customers where booths are arranged back to back.
• Ensure maximum occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor areas are posted and enforced.

The Bureau of Food Safety has always operated with an education-first model, and always works to educate and correct on-site before taking official action. Businesses unwilling to correct on-site will first receive a warning letter, followed by monetary citations ranging from $25 to $300 per offense. Following an initial warning, food safety inspectors will follow up with unannounced inspections to ensure compliance or issue citations as necessary.

Consumers with general food safety complaints or concerns about non-compliance for COVID-19 mitigation can file a report online. COVID-19 mitigation restaurant enforcement actions will be released on a weekly basis.

For more information about the Department of Agriculture’s COVID-19 response, visit agriculture.pa.gov/covid.

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) today applauded the reelection of Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-WY), and the rest of the members selected this afternoon to lead the Republican Conference in the 117^th Congress.

Also elected to leadership positions were: Conference Vice Chair Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA); NRCC Chair Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN); Policy Chair Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL); and Conference Secretary Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC).

On the leadership elections, Congressman Fred Keller made the following statement:

“I couldn’t think of a better team to lead Republicans in the 117^th Congress as we continue our work to better our great nation. The gains made by Republicans in the House this year signal that the American people’s vision for moving our country forward aligns with the important steps Republicans have taken to restore our way of life, rebuild our economy and renew the American Dream.”

Harrisburg, Pa. — Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar reported today that turnout in the Nov. 3 election set an apparent record, exceeding turnout in every presidential election since at least 1960, with more than 6.9 million Pennsylvanians voting by mail ballot or in person at the polls.

The election also apparently broke a record for highest percentage of participation by Pennsylvania’s voting-age population – 70.93 percent. This exceeded the previous record of 70.3  percent in 1960. By comparison, 6.115 million Pennsylvanians voted in the 2016 presidential election, the next highest turnout figure, when 61 percent of the voting age population voted.

“I am thrilled with the voter engagement and record turnout in this year’s election, which truly reflects the vitality of our democracy,” Secretary Boockvar said. “It is also a powerful credit to Pennsylvania’s dedicated election officials and poll workers, who worked incredibly hard to run a free, fair and secure election with no significant  issues while contending with a pandemic, new mail-in ballot procedures and what is apparently the highest voter turnout in commonwealth history.” 

Pennsylvania broke another record in October when voter registration topped 9 million for the first time.

Secretary Boockvar also reported that counties are nearing the end of the vote count and have made great progress in counting the large number of provisional ballots. Nearly 82,000 of the more than 100,000 provisional ballots cast at the polls on Election Day have been counted.

Provisional ballot counts take longer to count because bipartisan county boards of election must individually adjudicate each ballot to determine if it meets the standard for counting. They verify the voter was registered to vote in the precinct in which the ballot was cast and that the voter did not already cast a mail ballot.

More provisional ballots were cast in the Nov. 3 election because of the new procedures created under Act 77 of 2019 and Act 12 of 2020, two bipartisan election reform laws that facilitated voting by mail ballot in the commonwealth.

Because provisional ballots may be fully, partially, or not counted at all based on the circumstances, the number of provisional ballots counted will be smaller than the number of provisional ballots issued. Ballots may be partially counted if, for example, a voter was in the wrong precinct.  In that case, they would be eligible to vote in the statewide races, and perhaps larger district or county races if they were in the same region, but might not be eligible to vote in certain local district races.

A county’s adjudication of a provisional ballot can be challenged by authorized representatives of each party and candidate. Once complete, a voter can find out whether their ballot was counted. More information on provisional ballots is available on the Department of State website: https://www.votespa.com/Voting-in-PA/Pages/Voting-by-Provisional-Ballot.aspx.

Counties also have made substantial progress in counting the nearly 28,500 uniformed and overseas civilian absentee (UOCAVA) ballots received by the November 10 deadline for receipt of UOCAVA ballots.

Up-to-date election returns showing votes cast as reported from each county can be found on the department’s voting website, votesPA.com.