Pittsburgh, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today announced a plan to waive liquor license fees to provide financial relief to restaurants and bars, which have faced significant financial impacts during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

“As we enter the anticipated fall resurgence of COVID-19 cases, the very contagious nature of this virus makes gathering indoors publicly at full capacity dangerous. Still, we know that restaurant and bar owners in Pennsylvania are committed to keeping their employees and customers safe and the vast majority of these businesses have followed safety precautions and invested in new procedures and supplies, but COVID continues to hurt this industry,” Gov. Wolf said. “My administration continues to look for innovative ways that we can support the bar and restaurant industry. Eliminating liquor license fees is an important step toward helping bars and restaurants retain the capital they need to weather the storm of COVID-19.”

Governor Wolf is working with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to waive standard licensing fees through 2021 starting January 1, 2021. More than 16,000 Pennsylvania restaurants and bars, clubs, catering clubs and hotels would see $20 million in relief.

The governor was joined by state Representatives Dan Deasy (D-Allegheny), Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny) and Jake Wheatley (D-Allegheny), and Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) at LeMont Restaurant in Pittsburgh.

“I’m glad I could work with Governor Wolf to bring help to our bars, restaurants, taverns and social clubs right now. I know this isn’t a solution to the big problems this pandemic presents, and more help is needed,” said Rep. Deasy. “I’m working hard to enact additional measures that can help keep these vital employers in business.”

“This terrible public health crisis has also stricken our economy and our path to recovery will need to be a well thought out and effective one on several fronts. While the COVID-19 pandemic has affected just about every industry, restaurants and bars have been hit particularly hard and we need to provide relief to these small businesses at the heart of our communities,” said Sen. Fontana. “Over the summer, Senate Democrats introduced a comprehensive proposal to provide emergency relief to Pennsylvania’s restaurants and taverns, which have seen significant financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting shutdown. Under our plan, license renewal and permit fees that are paid by restaurants and taverns would be waived for one year along with other administrative changes to help financially benefit these struggling businesses. I’m pleased that the governor is taking steps to implement some of our goals and am encouraged that this will provide meaningful assistance to so many of these establishments that are struggling.”

“This is a step in addressing the concerns that we know that the bars and restaurant community need. I want to thank Governor Wolf for understanding the situation of the bars and restaurants and for offering this plan to waive these fees as we continue to search for solutions to assistance,” Rep. Gainey said. “I know the governor is working hard with our federal officials, as well as our state officials to bring relief to our bars and restaurants.”

“I thank the governor for his constant commitment to help our restaurants and bars,” Rep. Wheatley said. “I look forward to working with our federal legislators and general assembly to get more support for these restaurants.”

“I want to thank the Governor for listening to the concerns of the bar and tavern community,” said Senator Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland). “They’ve been hurting the last seven months, especially here in Western Pennsylvania. Today’s announcement will provide savings that they desperately need to keep their businesses open, and I hope it’s just one step of what we continue to do at the state level to help our small business folks recover.”

“I understand the financial impact that our small business restaurant and tavern owners have endured during this difficult time and their efforts to ensure the safety of their customers and employees, and I’m grateful that the governor has taken this step to ease that financial burden,” said Rep. Mike Driscoll (D-Philadelphia). “This is one step of many steps that we can and will take to help these local businesses and I will continue to support them as we focus on economic recovery efforts.”

“As new cases of the virus have jumped recently, our priority should be to continue to protect the population, and to provide targeted relief to industries most affected,” said Rep. Steve Malagari (D-Montgomery). “Waiving liquor license fees gives some immediate relief to local businesses, while we wait for our colleagues in the General Assembly to take action to release the $1 billion remaining CARES Act funding to our communities.”

As part of his fall legislative agenda, Governor Wolf has called on the General Assembly to provide an additional $225 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding in the form of forgivable loans and grants to small businesses in Pennsylvania through the COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance Program. In addition, the governor proposed $100 million in forgivable loans and grants for the hospitality, leisure and service industries, including restaurants and bars, salons and barber shops.

The governor also supports the federal Real Economic Support That Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed to Survive (RESTAURANTS) Act. The bipartisan bill in Congress provides $120 billion to help independent restaurants with the economic challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), a joint office between the departments of Education and Human Services, today released a new Family Support Needs Assessment covering needs and challenges experienced by families with young children and opportunities to address these needs and better serve families across Pennsylvania.

The assessment, which was developed in partnership with PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and OCDEL, found that substance use, intimate partner violence and mental health challenges are among the most pronounced issues facing young families across urban and rural communities and shows overall improvement in maternal and child health outcomes across many of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties since the last statewide needs assessment in 2014.

“Policymakers should not make decisions without understanding real needs to better inform allocation of resources. The Family Support Needs Assessment gives us the opportunity to monitor progress made through investments and opportunities to better support children and families around Pennsylvania,” said Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller. “We know, though, that the COVID-19 pandemic has strained circumstances for families, and needs may be further exacerbated. Data collected through this assessment will be a valuable roadmap as we help the commonwealth and its families recover and move forward.”

The federal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) requires states to complete a needs assessment every four years to document the statewide landscape of maternal, young child and family health, and assess capacity and scope of home visitation services. The target population for the needs assessment included families with expectant parents or families with young children identified as having elevated needs, particularly around poverty or substance use/opioid use. The needs assessment is a tool by which policymakers can compare maternal and child health county-level metrics across the state and prioritize communities for funding of family support services, including home visiting.

Informed by community surveys, interviews, and statewide data sets, the 2018-2020 Family Support Needs Assessment categorizes Pennsylvania’s counties as having “elevated need,” “moderate need,” and “low need,” across six domains: maternal and child health, socioeconomic status, substance use, child safety and maltreatment, community environment and child care.

Overall, the findings show that 44 counties have elevated need in at least one of the domains and 15 counties across the state met elevated need thresholds in three or more domains. There was no defined pattern among counties with elevated need (e.g., geography), underscoring that each county has unique strengths and needs. Importantly, the data collection occurred prior to the arrival of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, and the researchers anticipate that the pandemic will exacerbate many areas of community need.

Despite the elevated need recorded in the report, maternal and child health outcomes have dramatically improved across much of the state since the 2014 federally mandated statewide needs assessment. For example, nearly every county (63) saw improved rates of preterm birth and teen birth; 60 percent of counties saw improvements in infant mortality rates; and half of counties saw a reduction in the percentage of children under age 5 living in poverty. Furthermore, more than half of the 2,220 individuals surveyed for the needs assessment have a favorable view of the availability and quality of health and social services in Pennsylvania for families with young children.

“The Family Support Needs Assessment gives us a rich understanding of the diversity of Pennsylvania’s communities, specifically a review of the social and environmental factors affecting families with young children and the structural aspects of communities that contribute to inequities in well-being,” said Meredith Matone, DrPH, MHS, scientific director of PolicyLab and lead investigator on the project. “By incorporating the voice of Pennsylvanians and involving stakeholders throughout the process, we believe this report is responsive to the priorities of communities and the data paints a comprehensive picture of child, family and community well-being across the state. We hope this assessment provides individual communities with the information they need to set priorities for and make informed decisions about the delivery of local programs to meet the needs of their families.”

The needs assessment also includes a review of the capacity and scope of the state’s home visiting programs, which provide voluntary, in-home services to under-resourced pregnant moms and families of young children.

Pennsylvania significantly increased its investment in evidence-based home visiting over the last four years so that today, six evidence-based home visiting models serve a total of 10,150 families, or about 5 percent of the total eligible population, across all counties.

Additionally, the report spotlights local service providers who are making a difference in addressing the elevated needs of their communities. For example, the needs assessment profiles the Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support (MOMs) program in Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties, where maternal substance use needs are elevated. This collaborative, regional effort involving more than 15 community partners is supporting moms struggling with opioid use disorder by providing medical and social support services, such as coordination of medical care and legal and housing support, to mothers before and after the birth of their child.

PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is dedicated to achieving optimal child health and well-being by informing program and policy changes through interdisciplinary research. Founded in 2008, PolicyLab is a Center of Emphasis within the CHOP Research Institute, one of the largest pediatric research institutes in the country. With more than 30 highly regarded faculty and 60 passionate staff who bring expertise from many fields covering health, research and health policy, our work focuses on improving public systems, improving health care delivery and improving child health outcomes. For more information, visit http://www.policylab.chop.edu.

For more information on the Office of Child Development and Early Learning and programs for children and families around Pennsylvania, visit www.dhs.pa.gov or www.raiseyourstar.org.

Harrisburg, Pa. – Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar today urged Pennsylvanians who plan to vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election to complete and return their mail ballot over the weekend.

“This weekend is the perfect time to fill out and return your mail ballot well ahead of the deadline,” Secretary Boockvar said. “I want every Pennsylvanian to feel confident that their vote will be counted, and their voice will be heard.”

Secretary of Boockvar also reminded voters that, for their ballot to count, they must enclose it first in the white inner secrecy envelope and then insert that envelope in the outer pre-printed return envelope and seal it. And they must sign and complete the voter’s declaration on the outer envelope.  Both envelopes are necessary regardless of whether you are mailing your ballot or dropping it in a drop box or at another other authorized location.

Voters must return their mail ballot by the deadline of 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Ballots can be hand-delivered to county election offices or other designated locations or mailed. If returning their ballot by mail, voters should do so immediately. The Department of State urges voters to return their ballot as soon as possible to ensure timely arrival.

“Although mail ballot voters have until election day to deliver their ballots, I highly encourage everyone to not wait and to return their ballot today or well in advance of Nov. 3 so there is no question that their ballot will be received in time,” Secretary Boockvar said.

Some county election boards have opened satellite offices to offer county residents added convenience. These satellite locations may be open additional hours, including weeknights and weekends. Each satellite location has a secure ballot receptacle to store voted mail-in and absentee ballots submitted at the location.

In addition, some counties have set up secure drop boxes at convenient locations where voters can return their mail ballot.

For more information on voting and elections in Pennsylvania, call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.

Eight (8) new cases added Thursday in Lycoming County now at 910 cases, no new deaths, 31 total deaths, with 15,504 negatives according to DOH report.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19,

2,063 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 188,360

Pennsylvanians Urged to Download COVID Alert PA App

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 22, that there were 2,063 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 188,360.

The number of cases reported today is one of the highest numbers reported since the beginning of the pandemic. However, there was a faulty data file sent to the system by a laboratory earlier this week, which prevented some of the lab results from being properly reported. Therefore, some of the cases being reported today should have been counted as part of the positive test results reported on October 21.

Allegheny County is reporting an increase of 128 cases, Luzerne County is reporting an increase of 107 cases, Philadelphia County is reporting an increase of 111 cases and Westmoreland County is reporting an increase of 117 cases.

The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between October 15 and October 21 is 231,483 with 10,375 positive cases. There were 37,114 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., October 21.

There are 8,592 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 30 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

There are 2,114 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 648 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.

There are 2,185,079 individuals who have tested negative to date. Of those who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

• Approximately 1% are ages 0-4;
• Nearly 2% are ages 5-12;
• Approximately 5% are ages 13-18;
• Nearly 14% are ages 19-24;
• Nearly 36% are ages 25-49;
• Approximately 21% are ages 50-64; and
• Approximately 21% are ages 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

The department is seeing significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics, as there are more cases in younger age groups than in those 50-64 and 65+. The following regions saw significant increases among 19 to 24-year-olds in each month from April to present in October:

• NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 31 percent of cases so far in October;
• SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 16 percent of cases so far in October;
• NE – 6 percent of cases in April to 18 percent of cases so far in October;
• SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 13 percent of cases so far in October;
• NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 18 percent of cases so far in October; and
• SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 12 percent of cases so far in October.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 24,990 resident cases of COVID-19, and 5,436 cases among employees, for a total of 30,426 at 1,036 distinct facilities in 62 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,670 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 11,846 of our total cases are among health care workers.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, Oct. 21:

• Provided Pennsylvania State Police enforcement data.

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

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Administration Michael Newsome today praised the efforts of OA staff to deliver training and development to state employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the launch of new courses focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.

“Like many schools and universities, we needed to transition from primarily classroom-based to virtual instruction to protect the health of our employees,” said Secretary of Administration Michael Newsome. “Our staff embraced the challenge wholeheartedly while also making the adjustment to remote work for themselves.”

As part of the Wolf administration’s commitment to equal employment opportunity and in light of nationwide protests against racial discrimination that began during the pandemic, OA developed virtual trainings focused on diversity, equity and inclusion for commonwealth employees. A mandatory web-based training is currently being deployed to commonwealth employees and contractors throughout the state.

The diversity, equity and inclusion courses were developed by a collaborative workgroup that included Nicole Tyler, Darice Mayhew, Sara McFadden, Robin Jones and Jeffrey Kreider along with Equal Employment Opportunity Office Director Jacqueline Jackson-DeGarcia.

The OA employees also created several optional training courses, including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Supervisors, Overcoming Unconscious Bias and Appreciating Differences at Work. Additionally, the commonwealth held a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Appreciation Week with daily messages focused on increased understanding of these topics.

“At its core, diversity, equity and inclusion are about a culture of respect. It is about daily behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to everyone feeling relevant and part of the team,” said Jackson-DeGarcia. “It feels good to provide tangible tools to employees in these moments that matter.”

“At a time when our nation is so polarized and divided, accepting others and finding common ground is critical to achieving a more civil society,” said Newsome, who grew up in the midst of racial segregation and, as a student, helped to integrate local high schools in his home town in Virginia.

Prior to the pandemic, OA offered most of its training courses for commonwealth employees in a classroom based, instructor-led format. Today, all training offered by OA is being delivered in either online instructor-led or self-guided web-based formats. In addition to promoting social distancing, virtual and online courses also expand learning opportunities for employees who are not based in the Harrisburg area.

“Learning new skills allows commonwealth employees to be more productive, perform their jobs more effectively and contribute to a more positive working environment, all of which benefit the people they serve,” said Deputy Secretary for Human Resources and Management Reid Walsh. “We are able to develop and deliver much of our training in-house in a manner that is cost effective and relevant to the needs of our workforce.”

During the pandemic, over 4,300 employees have completed virtual courses on topics including but not limited to: Customer Service Fundamentals, Leadership Basics, Webinar Facilitation Techniques, Problem-Solving Skills, Positivity, and Managing Your Stress. Over 11,000 employees have taken self-guided, web-based trainings offered by OA.

Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today shared critical questions for Pennsylvanians to ask their health care providers so they improve their health literacy, or understanding health information, to make appropriate health decisions, especially as COVID-19 and the flu remain a threat to Pennsylvanians.

“Many patients feel embarrassed about their health literacy level, causing them to not speak up to their provider when they don’t understand something,” Dr. Levine said. “One tool that helps patients take a more active role in their health care is the Ask Me 3 Questions tool: what is my main problem; what do I need to do; and why is it important for me to do this. These three questions can help you better understand your health and what you need to do to stay healthy.”

Many Pennsylvanians are at greater risk for poor health outcomes because they don’t know what questions to ask or understand the answer. Pennsylvania is one of only 20 states that has made health literacy, or understanding health information, a priority to ensure residents receive the best care for their needs and understand how to live the healthiest life in order to reach their full potential.

Pennsylvania Health Literacy Coalition (PAHLC) is a statewide coalition funded by the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant through the Department of Health and led by the Health Care Improvement Foundation. Major PAHLC priorities to date include establishing strong cross-sector partnerships, empowering patients to access the health information they need to thrive and influencing provider and system-level change to create a culture of health literacy. The goal of these activities is to improve health communication and ensure good health.

The PAHLC also partners with Thomas Jefferson University to provide trainings across the commonwealth for health care providers and patient peer educators. To date, it has:

• Trained over 17,000 health care professionals in 26 counties including rural, suburban, and urban regions of the Commonwealth;
• Trained more than 100 patient peer educators who have reached more than 1,500 members of their communities;
• Collected data to better understand the health literacy needs of immigrants and refugees and the role of community-based organizations in meeting these needs; and
• Assisted participating healthcare organizations make changes to staff and patient education practices, their websites, signage, and internal policies to better address health literacy. This year alone they assisted with 179 activities.

Low health literacy leads to increased use of health care services, greater risk for hospitalization, and higher utilization of expensive services, such as emergency care and inpatient admissions. Vulnerable populations have a lower likelihood of getting their flu shots, are less likely to use preventative care, and are less likely to take and understand how to use their medicine correctly.

Low health literacy bears significant economic consequences, upwards of $238 billion annually, according to a study as residents from across the country do not receive or understand the proper care.

For more information regarding Pennsylvania’s health literacy program, please visit www.health.pa.gov.

Residents should apply now for wait list 

Homeowners in the borough limits of Jersey Shore Borough may be eligible to receive up to $65,000 in home improvements from the HOME Existing Owner-Occupied Housing Program.

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is encouraging borough residents to apply now to get on the wait list. SEDA-COG manages the program on behalf of the borough.

Interested residents may call SEDA-COG’s Stacy Anderson at 800-326-9310, ext. 7215.

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements. Also included are modifications for mobility-impaired residents. There is no cost to homeowners who maintain home residency over a five-year period from the date of contract signing.

Homeowners can go through the process hassle-free with SEDA-COG managing it from start to finish, said Teri Provost, director of the agency’s Housing Rehabilitation program.

“Eligible homeowners can enjoy a rehabilitated home at no cost to them while we help them from start to finish, from obtaining a contractor, managing the project, to anything that may arise during or after the rehabilitation process,” Provost said.

Qualifications:

• Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it;
• Meet income qualifications based on household size;
• Be current on local taxes and municipal utility bills;
• Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance;
• If located in a flood zone, provide proof of flood insurance;
• Live in the home an additional five years.

Additional requirements may apply. 

Annual Gross Income Limits:

Family size: 1 – $36,350; 2 – $41,550; 3 – $46,750; 4 – $51,900; 5 – $56,100

SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.

Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced beginning Saturday, October 24, an outdoor testing clinic will be held in the lower parking lot at Lebanon County Fire Training Center in Lebanon County to contain the recent rapid increase in COVID-19 cases.

“Since the beginning of September, we have seen an increase of 871 cases in Lebanon County, which gives us significant cause for concern,” Dr. Levine said. “These testing sites will be open to anyone who feels they need a test. It is important that even people with no symptoms who test positive isolate and quarantine 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. AMI has already deployed to Centre, Columbia, Indiana, Berks and Northumberland 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, Lebanon has the fifth-highest percent-positivity at 8.2 percent. This is up from a percent-positivity of 7.4 percent the previous week. The department believes that increased testing in the county will assist in determining the prevalence of the virus and help county move forward. Other concerning counties, identified as those with percent positives above five percent, can be found on the Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard. Each county is being monitored and observed as the state continues to examine all available data.

Testing will be available daily from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM starting Saturday, October 24 through Wednesday, October 28.

The address for Lebanon County testing is Lebanon County Fire Training Center, 833 Metro Drive, Lebanon, PA, 17042.

Up to 440 patients can be tested per day. Testing is free and on a first come, first serve basis to anyone three years-of-age and older. Patients are not required to show symptoms of COVID-19 in order to be tested. No appointment is necessary, but patients should bring a photo-ID and 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-isolate while they await test results. For those individuals who live with other people, they should self-isolate in a private room and use a private bathroom if possible. Whoever else lives 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.

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.  – Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar today reviewed how to vote early in person by mail ballot at county election offices and satellite election offices, one of three voting options available to Pennsylvanians for the Nov. 3 election.

“I voted early in person in Bucks County, and it was easy, convenient and secure. I recommend it highly — you don’t have to worry about the mail, and you can do it on your own schedule as long as the county election office is open,” Secretary Boockvar said. “Voters who wish to use this option should contact their county election office to find out their hours and whether they recommend making an appointment ahead of time.”

Voters simply visit their county election office or satellite office and apply for a mail ballot. County election officials will check their eligibility while they wait and, once their eligibility is verified, give them a ballot. They can then complete their ballot and cast it all in one visit.

Voters should make sure that they enclose their ballot first in the white inner secrecy envelope and seal it, then insert the inner envelope in the outer pre-printed return envelope and sign and complete the voter’s declaration on the outer envelope.  Voters must include these steps in order for their ballots to be counted.

Some county election boards have opened satellite offices to offer residents mail-in and absentee ballot application processing and voting in convenient locations across their county. These satellite offices may be open additional hours, including weeknights and weekends. Each satellite office has a secure ballot collection receptacle to store voted mail-in and absentee ballots submitted at the location.

The option to vote early in person by mail ballot is available until Oct. 27, the deadline to apply for a mail ballot for the Nov. 3 election.

Pennsylvanians also have the option of voting by mail or in person at their polling place on election day.

Pennsylvanians voting by mail ballot must return their ballot by the deadline of 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Ballots can be hand-delivered to county election offices or other designated locations or mailed. The Department of State urges voters to return their ballot today to ensure timely arrival.

Polling places will be open in every county from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day. Voters should wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines at the polls. The Department of State is supplying counties with masks, face shields, hand sanitizer, floor marking tape and other supplies for polling places so Pennsylvanians can safely exercise their right to vote during this COVID-19 emergency.

“Pennsylvanians have more secure, accessible and convenient voting options than ever before,” Secretary Boockvar said. “We urge every eligible voter to take advantage of one of these options to make their voice heard.”

Citizens, officials, and organizations are encouraged to use resources from the state’s Ready to Vote Toolkit at www.votesPA.com/r2vtoolkit to educate every eligible Pennsylvania voter about their options for how to cast their ballot in the Nov. 3 election. The toolkit includes sample social-media posts, web banners, newsletter content, videos, flyers, and more.

For more information on voting and elections in Pennsylvania, call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.

Secretary of Human Services Teresa Miller answers questions from the press.Governor Tom Wolf announced that people with intellectual disabilities and autism and the providers of support services for these vulnerable Pennsylvanians will receive $260 million in CARES Act funding to help continue to provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Wolf was joined by Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller, who outlined to details of funding allocations. JUNE 15, 2020 – HARRISBURG, PA

Harrisburg, PA – Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today discussed support the Wolf Administration is providing for long-term care facilities through the Regional Response Health Collaborative (RRHC) program, a statewide program providing clinical, operational, and educational support to long-term care facilities preparing for or facing outbreaks of COVID-19 at their facility. The secretary was joined by Dr. David Nace from UPMC and Dr. Emily Jaffe from Allegheny Health Network (AHN), who lead the UPMC-AHN RRHC, and leadership from DHS overseeing the RRHCs to discuss UPMC and AHN’s work supporting facilities in Southwest Pennsylvania and why the program must continue to be supported beyond its December 1, 2020 end date.

“We know how dangerous COVID-19 can be in congregate care settings, particularly in settings that serve people who are medically fragile or have other health vulnerabilities that make them more likely to experience additional complications from COVID-19, as often is the case for residents of long-term care facilities,” said Secretary Miller. “The unfortunate reality of this pandemic is that outbreaks can and will happen because these facilities and their staff cannot exist in a bubble. What matters most is how we catch and respond to outbreaks when they occur, and the RRHC program is strengthening our response at the state level and making local facilities better equipped to respond. This collaborative approach is saving lives.”

“The Department of Health is pleased with the RRHCs’ work to assist in ensuring facilities have the resources they need to respond to COVID-19 in these vulnerable settings,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “As we are in the midst of a fall resurgence, the RRHCs will become even more important. The introduction of COVID-19 into a long-term care facilities is a reflection of the number of cases in the community, which is why all Pennsylvanians have a role in helping protect these facilities.”

Pennsylvania’s long-term care system serves more than 127,000 people living in nursing homes, personal care homes, assisted living residences, and private intermediate care facilities. Due to the congregate nature and because they often serve individuals who are older or have co-occurring medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to an acute case of or complications from COVID-19, constant vigilance is necessary to avoid a serious outbreak at these facilities.

The RRHC program was designed to bolster Pennsylvania’s support for long-term care facilities and their residents and staff. Launched in late July, the RRHC program was established to provide clinical support, technical assistance, and education to long-term care facilities as they work to prevent and mitigate spread of COVID-19. The RRHCs are available 24/7 to support the nearly 2,000 nursing facilities, personal care homes, assisted living residences, and private intermediate care facilities in Pennsylvania and the residents they serve. Eleven health systems were selected to serve six regions across Pennsylvania. Southwest Pennsylvania’s RRHC is a partnership between UPMC and AHN.

Each RRHC is required to make a minimum of two on-site visits to each facility in their region, including an initial on-site assessment that will help the RRHC evaluate a facility’s COVID-19 prevention and mitigation strategies and their preparedness to respond to an outbreak if that were to occur. Based on this assessment, the RRHCs will help those facilities implement best practices in infection control, implement contact tracing programs in facilities, support clinical care through on-site and telemedicine services, and provide remote monitoring and consultation with physicians. RRHCs are in regular communication with DHS, the Department of Health (DOH), and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) to report on experiences interacting with facilities, trends experienced by facilities, and potential challenges.

When a RRHC engages with a facility or is called in to help with a concern identified from collaboration between DHS, DOH and PEMA daily calls, these efforts are classified as missions. A mission could be anything from assistance with testing, assessing a facility’s preparedness, staffing support, rapid response deployment to facilities, PPE support, testing to ensure PPE is properly fitted, and questions or concerns requiring consultation. Since launching, the RRHCs have been assigned more than 6,800 missions, primarily covering testing, consultations, facility assessments, and support with PPE. The RRHCs are also working with the Jewish Healthcare Foundation to operate a statewide learning network available to all long-term care facilities. This network holds regular webinars on topics related to infection control and the latest guidance for responding to and mitigating spread of COVID-19. These webinars have reached more than 5,200 participants since the start of the RRHC program.

The administration can also deploy rapid response teams staffed by the RRHCs when an outbreak is suspected or confirmed at a long-term care facility. These rapid response teams consist of clinical and infection control professionals from the RRHCs to evaluate the situation, ensure proper cohorting of patients based off COVID status, facilitate resident transfers and additional staffing if necessary, and coordinate safe continued care for residents who are not COVID-positive. The rapid response teams can also provide emotional support to both residents or staff to help with the stress and fear associated with an outbreak. Rapid response teams are designed to stabilize potential or confirmed outbreaks, and assistance from RRHCs is not withdrawn until the situation is stabilized and there is no immediate risk to staff and residents.

The UPMC-AHN RRHC serves 11 counties in Southwest Pennsylvania. Since July, the UPMC-AHN RRHC has participated in 2,120 missions covering facility assessments, testing assistance, PPE support and fit testing, training and consultation, and staffing assistance, among others. UPMC and AHN have assisted with 83 rapid response deployments across the Southwest Region.

“This collaborative program has been a crucial and essential partner to providing facility support, consultations, testing assistance, provision of personal protective equipment and successful outbreak management services. It really is a model program for the rest of the country,” said Dr. David Nace, chief medical officer for UPMC Senior Communities and clinical chief of geriatric medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. “We know most long-term care facilities, even if they have funds, could not implement this type of operational and clinical undertaking independently. This program really proves the value of public-private partnerships between academic health centers and the Department of Health and Human Services.”

“We are extremely pleased to be part of this collaboration which has brought together the region’s leading healthcare resources for the benefit of seniors and others who are at most risk for COVID-19,” said Emily Jaffe, MD, MBA, vice president and executive medical director, HM Home and Community Services and post-acute medical director, AHN. “Together with Highmark Health, AHN’s patient-centered, community-focused mission lends exceptionally well to this critical effort.”

The RRHC is funded through Pennsylvania’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act award, the program is currently scheduled to end on December 1. The Wolf administration recently sent a letter to President Trump requesting funding to extend the program so it may continue to be a resource throughout the winter. Governor Wolf urged President Trump to work with Congress on a new stimulus package that would support the RRHC program and other resources crucial to protecting the lives, health and safety of Pennsylvanians.

“The last eight months have been a period of great learning. We’re now at a point where we have a system that is working and helping to stabilize and prevent outbreaks. As the country works to get a vaccine that is effective in market and available, we need to do all we can to protect people who are most vulnerable to this virus,” said Secretary Miller. “The RRHC program cannot stop COVID altogether, but it is undoubtedly making us better at fighting it. We cannot lose this resource.”

For more information on guidance to DHS’ providers related to COVID-19, visit www.dhs.pa.gov.