By: Dr. Rachel L. Levine, Secretary of Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Technology connects us to resources and plays a powerful role in our lives. And at no time is technology more important than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pennsylvanians listen to our press briefings, gather data from our enhanced statewide and early warning monitoring dashboards, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the most up-to-date information.

Still, COVID-19 continues to impact our state. Nearly 142,885 Pennsylvanians have been diagnosed with COVID-19 so far, and we are still seeing cases increase each day.

It is upon each of us to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Here in Pennsylvania, we are adding another tool in the toolbox residents can use to protect themselves and their loved ones:  COVID Alert PA, an app that uses Bluetooth technology to notify you of a potential COVID-19 exposure.

This app uses Bluetooth technology, the same technology that helps your phone connect with your car to play music or use wireless headphones. This technology does not track or collect any location data or personal data from your phone – only your phone’s proximity to other phones with the app enabled. It is strictly designed to notify you if you may have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. If you test positive for the virus, and you choose to confirm that information into the app, it will notify those that may have been in close contact with you.

Often, it can be difficult for someone to either name or even know all the close contacts they were exposed to while they were infectious — like a person you spoke to for 15 minutes at the bar or someone you sat next to on the bus. This is where COVID Alert PA becomes extremely useful and augments value to the state’s contact tracing efforts.

When an individual tests positive for COVID-19, a public health professional from the Pennsylvania Department of Health or a county and municipal health department contacts them to begin a case investigation. During the investigation the individual learns about their test results and is asked to recall who they have been in close contact with during their infectious period.

The public health professional also will encourage the COVID-19 positive individual to open the COVID Alert PA and enter a six-digit validation code. After the validation is complete, the app will alert other individuals who were within six feet of the COVID-19 positive individual for at least 15 minutes.

Anyone getting an exposure alert is provided with public health advice and resources to talk to a public health professional about next steps or how to find the nearest testing site.  People with a confirmed exposure are bound to have questions and concerns, and we want to provide the information people need to make informed decisions about their health and the health of the people closest to them.

Remember, all this is done through Bluetooth technology, which means no personal or identifying information will be collected through the app. The person notified will not know the identity of the person to whom they were exposed.

The Wolf Administration has taken additional measures to ensure the safety and well-being of Pennsylvanians. Now that the state is reopened, though mitigation efforts remain in place, there is still an opportunity for COVID-19 to spread, so we need to prepare ourselves by washing hands, wearing masks, practicing social distancing and downloading the COVID Alert PA app. The more people who download the app, the better our chances are of preventing an outbreak and keeping our communities healthy.

When the app is available later this month, please download it through the Google Play or Apple App Store and add your phone to the fight to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Together, we can help ourselves, our loved ones and our neighbors across the commonwealth stay safe.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that its Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement Program (AWZSE) program was named as one of the Top 12 projects nationwide in the America’s Transportation Awards competition. PennDOT administers the AWSZE program collaboratively with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

AWSZE works by deploying a mobile unit to an active work zone to detect any vehicles going at least 11 miles over the speed limit. When a vehicle goes over the limit, its license plate is captured, and a violation is mailed to the address on file.

“We continue to deal with the devastating injuries and loss of life that can occur when motorists speed through active work zones,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “We are honored that this program to keep our workers safe has been met with this important national recognition.”

Sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the competition evaluates projects in three categories: Quality of Life/Community Development; Best Use of Technology & Innovation; and Operations Excellence. AWZSE was nominated in the Operations Excellence Category, Small Project Group, and is competing for the national Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Award.

An independent panel of transportation industry experts will select the Grand Prize winner, while the general public will decide the People’s Choice Award winner through online voting. Online votes will be weighted to each state’s population, allowing for greater competition between states with larger and smaller populations. The winners will be announced at the virtual AASHTO Annual Meeting the week of November 9-13, 2020. Online voting began on September 8 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on October 25, 2020.

Votes can be cast online. Individuals can vote every day but can cast no more than one vote per day.

More info on the AWSZE program can be found at workzonecameras.PennDOT.gov.

• Require all customers to wear masks while entering, exiting or otherwise traveling throughout the restaurant or retail food service business (face masks may be removed while seated). Further, 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.

L&I will provide up to $4 million in funding for the DCWTGs to create and develop training programs that increase the quality of services, offer specialty certifications, and create viable career opportunities for personal care assistants, home health aides and certified nursing assistants.

As demand increases in Pennsylvania for long-term care services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the quality of care and safety of workers must be maintained.

The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Council, which advises the Department of Aging and other agencies on long-term care issues, last year developed the Blueprint for Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Direct Care Workforce. This report recommended the establishment of standardized core training for direct care workers to provide career pathways throughout the continuum of long-term services and supports.

“Direct care workers are the cornerstone of long-term care, so I’m pleased to see how the important work of the Long-Term Care Council and its recommendations in the Blueprint for Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Direct Care Workforce has helped inform the goals and strategies of the DCWTG program,” said Secretary of Aging Robert Torres, who chairs the Council. “The Wolf Administration recognizes that creating pathways for more individuals to enter and remain in the direct care workforce is critical to ensuring that the long-term care needs of our citizens can be met both now and in the future.”

Eligible applicants include local workforce development boards, non-profit and non-governmental entities, community-based organizations, education and post-secondary organizations, healthcare organizations, labor organizations, business associations, trade associations of long-term services and supports providers, and economic development entities. Grant awardees are expected to be notified by the end of November 2020, and the grants will operate between January 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022.

Direct Care Worker Training Grants of up to $2 million are available through L&I’s reemployment funding to assist individuals become employed or improve their employment, including job search and placement services, educational enhancement, job training and job readiness and workplace skills training.

The deadline to apply is October 2, 2020. Additional details and the grant application can be found on L&I’s website.

Additional information is available on the L&I website at www.dli.pa.gov or by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Harrisburg, PA – Secretaries from the departments of Agriculture and Human Services today joined Philabundance and Feeding Pennsylvania to recognize Hunger Action Month and encourage continued support for Pennsylvania’s charitable food network, which has seen an unprecedented rise in need amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying economic downturn. Pennsylvania’s charitable food network and food assistance programs are available so anyone who is having trouble making ends meet during this economic uncertainty does not have to go hungry.

“Having enough to eat is essential to achieving quality of life and people who do not have enough to eat are less healthy and experience greater challenges across their lifespan influence how healthy someone. All of this was true before the pandemic, and it’s especially true now,” said Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller. “The Wolf Administration and our partners in the charitable food network will continue to be here to support Pennsylvanians as this public health crisis and period of economic insecurity evolve. If you are struggling to make ends meet or keep food on the table, you are not alone, and resources are available, so no one has to go hungry.”

More than 2 million Pennsylvanians – including 630,000 children – do not have reliable access to adequate, nutritious meals and live in food insecurity every day. According to Feeding Pennsylvania, nearly 1 in 20 Pennsylvanians are newly food insecure. Inadequate food and chronic nutrient deficiencies have profound effects on a person’s life and health, including increased risks for chronic diseases, higher chances of hospitalization, poorer overall health, and increased health care costs. As the nation faces the COVID-19 pandemic, access to essential needs like food is more important than ever to help keep vulnerable populations healthy and mitigate co-occurring health risks.

“No one in Pennsylvania should ever go hungry,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “Through the generosity of our farmers and charitable food network partners like Philabundance, and through continued investment in programs like PASS that get excess food to hungry families, we are working to ensure that no one does go hungry. There is help available. If your family is facing that possibility, please take advantage of these resources. You are not alone.”

Pennsylvania’s charitable food network is a critical partner in fighting hunger in communities across the commonwealth. Food banks in Pennsylvania typically serve approximately 2.2 million people annually, but in the first three months of the public health crisis, these food banks had more than 5.5 million visits. The COVID-19 public health crisis has exacerbated food insecurity across nearly our entire commonwealth. Before COVID-19, three counties had a food security rate at or above 13 percent. Today, 64 of 67 counties are at least 13 percent food insecure, and 32 counties are at least 16.5 percent food insecure.

“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our food banks have seen an incredible increase in food insecurity rates across the state — including Philadelphia which has the highest food insecurity rate in Pennsylvania.” said Jane Clements-Smith, Executive Director of Feeding Pennsylvania. “The charitable food network continues to work hard to meet the sustained increased demand, but we still need the support of our generous communities across the commonwealth.  Hunger Action Month is another opportunity to raise awareness about hunger and to remind donors, volunteers, and stakeholders that we need their support to ensure that no one in Pennsylvania is denied access to nutritious food. We are proud to partner with our member food bank, Philabundance, and want to recognize the incredible work they have done now and throughout the pandemic.”

Philabundance serves residents of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties in Southeast Pennsylvania, reaching at least 90,000 people each week before the pandemic. Philabundance works with a network of 350 local agencies to distribute food products like fresh produce, dairy, and bread products for local distribution. From March to July of 2020, Philabudance distributed approximately 5.3 million pounds of food to it agency network, a 125 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019. Due to interruptions in food donations, increased need from the community, and increased food prices, Philabudance anticipates spending twice as much on food in 2020 than last year.

“Today we are showing how well government and nonprofits can work together to end hunger for good,” said Loree Jones, CEO of Philabundance. “And it could not come at a better time as we are seeing more people in need of food. Many of the people coming to us for help are those who’ve never before relied upon a charitable food system. And all of this in the middle of a health pandemic, which has created additional challenges for us, for our employees and for those who so desperately need to be served.”

Help with buying food is also available through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP helps nearly 1.9 million Pennsylvanians by providing money each month to spend on groceries, helping households have resources to purchase enough food to avoid going hungry. SNAP is our country’s most important and most impactful anti-hunger program. For every meal provided by a Feeding Pennsylvania food bank, SNAP provides nine. While SNAP is intended to be a supplemental program, during a pandemic and historic unemployment, resources are strained, particularly for our lowest income Pennsylvanians.

Applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other public assistance programs can be submitted online at www.compass.state.pa.us. Clients in Philadelphia with questions or who need a paper application mailed to them should call the Philadelphia Customer Service Center at 215-560-7226. Clients in all other counties can call the Statewide Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930. All Pennsylvanians experiencing financial hardships due to the pandemic, a lost job, or a change in income are strongly encouraged to apply and see if they qualify for assistance with food, health care, and other essential needs.

Anyone interested in volunteering can find organizations in need of volunteer support on the United Way of Pennsylvania’s 211 website.

For more information about Philabudance and local agency partners, visit www.philabundance.org.

For more information about food assistance resources for people around Pennsylvania impacted by COVID-19 and the accompanying economic insecurity, visit the Department of Agriculture’s food security guide.

Ten (10) new cases added Friday in Lycoming County now at 582 cases and 23 total deaths, with 11,625 negatives according to DOH report.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19,

1,008 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 142,885,

Record-high 30,855 One-day Test Results Reported

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 11, that there are 1,008 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 142,885. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

Allegheny is reporting an increase of 100 cases and Centre is reporting an increase of 137 cases.

The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between September 4 and September 10 is 151,264 with 5,106 positive cases. There were 30,855 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 10, the most test results reported in one day to date. These results represent the total number of tests administered.

There are 7,837 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 17 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

“We know that congregation, especially over holidays and in college and university settings, yields increased case counts. The mitigation efforts in place now are essential to flattening the curve and saving lives,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and following the requirements set forth in the orders for bars and restaurants, gatherings, and telework will help keep our case counts low. Together, as Pennsylvanians, all of our efforts are designed to support our communities to ensure that cases of COVID-19 remain low.”

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

Beginning August 29, the department began publishing COVID-19 case counts using the updated standardized case definition for COVID-19 from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. This revised case definition updates criteria for case identification and case classification based on the continued evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. It updates probable case classifications and adds suspect case classifications. The definition for confirmed cases using a positive PCR test has not changed. Viral antigen tests, which identify people who are likely currently infected, will now be considered a probable case, even if the individual has no symptoms or exposure history. Persons with a positive antibody (serology) test, moving forward, will no longer be considered a probable case. However, cases previously counted as probable cases, using the prior national case definition, will remain counted as probable cases.

There are 110 cases who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 646 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.

There are 1,652,028 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients 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 4% are ages 13-18;
• Nearly 12% are ages 19-24;
• Nearly 37% are ages 25-49;
• Approximately 22% are ages 50-64; and
• Nearly 23% 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 date in September:

• NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 69 percent of cases so far in September;
• NE – 6 percent of cases in April to nearly 41 percent of cases so far in September;
• SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to nearly 34 percent of cases so far in September;
• SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to approximately 29 percent of cases so far in September;
• NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 21 percent of cases so far in September; and
• SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 18 percent of cases so far in September.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 21,759 resident cases of COVID-19, and 4,727 cases among employees, for a total of 26,486 at 947 distinct facilities in 61 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,290 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 10,009 of our total cases are among health care workers.

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

Currently, all 67 counties are in the green phase of reopening.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, Sept. 10:

• Released latest CMU metrics report.
• Provided Pennsylvania State Police enforcement data.
• Called for legislative action to support small businesses affected by COVID-19.
• Dedicated $15 million to help students with remote learning, high-speed internet connection.

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
• Map with the number of COVID-19 cases

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.

Passes Ordinance Expanding Legislative Accountability of City Government

Williamsport City Councilman Adam Yoder sent out a press release Thursday evening on behalf of City Council addressing the passage of an “Ordinance Expanding Legislative Accountability of City Government”.

On August 27th, Williamsport City Council passed an ordinance in second reading expanding the legislative accountability of City Government. After Mayor Slaughter Vetoed the ordinance on September 4th, City Council overrode the veto by a vote of 7-0 at their September 10th meeting.

The proposal from Councilman Adam Yoder expands the advice and consent abilities of council through the creation of three new departments (Human Resources, Public Works and Transportation / River Valley Transit) and modification of a third department (formerly Administration, now Finance and Administration).

In addition to expansion of City Council’s expansion of advice and consent abilities and modifying the formal
departments of city government, the recently passed ordinance allows City Council to:

• Elimination of the abilities of department directors to take on multiple positions within city government
without Council approval

• Recommend the removal of Department Heads by providing guidance to future Council members to do so

• Perform an annual review of the structure of the Administration during the annual capital budget review
process to ensure the City of Williamsport is providing city services to its stakeholders as efficiently and
professionally as possible, and that City Council’s accountability mechanisms are up to date

Said Yoder – “As we have seen in prior years before our current slate of elected leaders assumed office, the
informal organization of City Government has not aligned with the formal structure of City Government as
written in the Administrative Code, resulting in individuals serving in multiple roles, members of prior
administrations losing focus on important responsibilities, and lines being blurred between departments and
individuals – all the while City Council not having the ability to provide the proper checks and balances required
to prevent this.

As these actions have likely resulted in mistakes and failures to provide adequate services to the
stakeholders of the City as transparently and efficiently as possible, it is prudent of us to start to address these
structural flaws now while they are fresh on our minds.”

Voted into law September 10th, the new ordinance will take effect on October 1, 2020.

Upon taking effect, Department heads for Public Works, Human Resources, Transportation, and Finance/Administration must come before council for approval before assuming the leadership duties of their respective departments.

Yoder concluded “I look forward to a vigorous discussion on Mayor Slaughter’s proposed leaders of our newly formed departments. I trust Mayor Slaughter will bring forward qualified candidates identified through a consistent and transparent hiring process”.

The link to the meeting can be found here.

Eligible claimants need to apply for LWA benefits. Claimants who have already applied for LWA could begin receiving the extra $300 weekly benefit as early as September 14. However, it’s extremely important to note that not everyone will receive payment on September 14. The actual date you receive your payment will depend on factors outside of L&I’s control, such as how long it will take your bank to process the payment, etc.

After benefits are paid from a qualifying program to an individual for any of the approved dates, the LWA payment will follow one week later if the individual has already completed the LWA application.

LWA payments will be made in one lump sum for the previous claim weeks below:

• August 1, 2020;
• August 8, 2020;
• August 15, 2020;
• August 22, 2020;
• August 29, 2020; and
• September 5, 2020.

Individuals who may be eligible for LWA but have not yet received payment for an approved week from a qualifying program should still apply as soon as possible. At the time benefits are paid from a qualifying program to an individual for any of the approved dates, the LWA payment will follow one week later if the individual has already completed the LWA certification.

As a reminder, to qualify for the extra $300, the LWA program requires that eligible individuals must have a benefit rate and dependence allowance totaling $100 or more per week in benefits, and must receive a benefit payment for each week from one of the following qualifying programs:

• Regular Unemployment Compensation (UC);
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC);
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA);
• Pennsylvania Extended Benefits (EB);
• Shared Work or Short-Time Compensation (STC); and
• Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA).

Individuals receiving benefits from these programs – with the exception of PUA and Shared Work – will need to apply for LWA by certifying one time only that their unemployment is due to COVID-19. PUA recipients do not need to apply, as they already certified that they are unemployed due to COVID-19 as part of their initial application for benefits.

Applicants with computer and internet access should apply for the LWA benefits online. The online application will become available when applicants apply for biweekly claims. Simply log in as you normally would – when you normally would – to access the application.

Claimants who need to complete the certification process should:

• Visit www.uc.pa.gov/cert and log in using your PIN as if you are filing a biweekly claim
• Select the “Complete LWA Certification” button and fill out the certification.
• Complete this certification only one time.

Applications are also available for individuals who cannot apply online. This week, UC began mailing applications to claimants who did not provide their email address.

L&I completed implementation of the LWA program several weeks ahead of schedule and began accepting applications for the benefit this past Sunday.

For updates on the LWA program, visit www.uc.pa.gov or follow L&I on Facebook or Twitter.