Jamie Shrawder returned to SEDA-COG’s Community Development program as project coordinator on Aug. 17. She previously worked for SEDA-COG’s Joint Rail Authority in 2004 and transferred to SEDA-COG’s Community Development program in 2008 where she worked until 2016 as senior program analyst.

Shrawder has 15 years of experience, working in administration, financial management, contracting, marketing, and communications. Her experience includes administrator of governmental affairs for Danville Borough, township manager for East Buffalo Township, and secretary for Turbotville Borough, among other positions. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife & Fisheries Science from Pennsylvania State University.

Michael Morrison joined SEDA-COG’s Business Finance department on Aug. 31 as a loan officer. He brings a strong sales and management background with a passion for establishing and developing business and personal relationships.

Morrison was a business development officer at First National Bank of Pennsylvania; the dual branch manager at Santander Bank; and account manager/director of media buying at Gregory Welteroth Advertising. He attended Pennsylvania College of Technology for Business Administration and Accounting.

As a community and economic development agency, 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 – Today, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the appointment of Andrew Leidich as manager of the Shikellamy State Park Complex in Union, Northumberland and Lycoming counties. He previously had served as a park manager trainee with Bureau of State Parks Region 4, headquartered in Bucks County.

“Andrew has gained the right combination of managerial and administrative skills to take over the reins of Shikellamy, where boating, fishing and other water-based activities on the Susquehanna River help draw more than 285,000 visitors a year,” said Dunn. “His qualifications are a perfect match for the 130-acre park and the increasingly popular impoundment created by its inflatable dam.”

Leidich will be based at a state park where the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam forms the 3,060-acre Lake Augusta on the Susquehanna. The Fabridam, the largest inflatable dam in the world, gives boaters access to safe, deep water where unlimited horsepower motors are permitted and more than 350 mooring slips are provided.

Excellent warm-water fishing draws anglers from across the state.

The park complex also includes the 82-acre Milton State Park, Northumberland County, and the 20-acre Susquehanna State Park in Lycoming County. Both parks also are along the Susquehanna River, offering a variety of general day-use and water-based activities.

“I always have had a calling to have a career working in the outdoors industry,” said Leidich, “and I can’t feel more excited than to begin my next experience as park manager of Shikellamy State Park Complex.”

Leidich succeeds Nicholas Sherlock, who was named assistant manager at Hickory Run State Park, Carbon County.

While assigned to Region 4, the new complex manager served as interim manager at the Tuscarora/Locust Lake State Park Complex, headquartered in Schuylkill County, and interim assistant manager at both Hickory Run and Promised Land State Park, Sullivan County. Previously, he worked as land manager for the non-profit Ridge and Valley Conservancy, Blairstown, N.J., and as a seasonal park ranger at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Blue Marsh Lake near Reading, Berks County.

A native of Sinking Spring, Berks County, Leidich, 25, holds a bachelor’s degree from Mansfield State University of Pennsylvania where he majored in environmental science and minored in geology.

For more information on the Shikellamy State Park Complex, call 1-888-PA-PARKS from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Moments ago the Pennsylvania House passed House Bill 2787 by a  vote of 155-47. HB 2787 now heads to the PA Senate for concurrence.

Earlier in the day, Governor Wolf relaxed his guidance on fans in attendance by issuing an update which mirrors previous orders for indoor and outdoor crowd size.

For outdoor events crowds of no more that 250 and for indoor no more than 25 people can attend.

Wolf also pointed out in his guidance that individual school districts need to develop plans for fans to attend events within the outlined parameters.

Lycoming County State Representatives Garth Everett and Jeff Wheeland voted in support of HB 2787.

Guidance for All Sports Permitted to Operate During the COVID-19 Disaster Emergency to Ensure the Safety and Health of Employees, Athletes and the Public

Issued June 10, 2020, last updated September 2, 2020

Intent

The virus that causes the Coronavirus 2019 Disease (“COVID-19”) is easily transmitted, especially in group settings, and it is essential that the spread of the virus be slowed to safeguard public health and safety.

COVID-19 can be transmitted from infected individuals even if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are mild, such as a cough. It can also be spread by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. This guidance document addresses the procedures sports organizations and teams must follow to limit the spread of COVID-19 to the extent they are permitted to conduct in-person operations.

This guidance will be updated as more public health data and other information is available.

Organizations Subject to This Guidance

The Commonwealth is employing a regional and industry-specific approach to reopening non-life sustaining businesses. For more information, and up to date county designations, please refer to the Commonwealth’s Phased Reopening website.

All sports in Pennsylvania, including professional, collegiate, Pre-K to 12 school athletics, and amateur and recreational sports, are covered by this guidance.

Sports organizations and teams may only conduct in-person operations if they are able to do so in accordance with all applicable guidance.

Guidance

Everyone involved in sport activities must wear a face covering, such as a mask, unless they fall under an exception listed in Section 3 of the Secretary of Health’s Universal Face Covering Order. Coaches, athletes, and spectators must wear face coverings unless they are outdoors and can consistently maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet. Athletes are not required to wear face coverings while actively engaged in workouts and competition that prevent the wearing of face coverings (i.e., swimming), but must wear face coverings when on the sidelines, in the dugout, etc. and anytime 6 feet of social distancing is not possible.

Professional Sports

Professional sports is defined as any sporting event at which the participants are paid by a league or team, or at which individuals or teams receive prizes or purse.

Professional sports organizations are permitted to practice or play outdoors with 250 or fewer people in attendance and indoors with 25 or fewer people in attendance, provided they follow orders issued by the Secretary of Health and recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health or athletics-based organizations. Sports organizations are not required to submit a safety plan for approval to DOH if fewer than 250 people are present at an outdoor site or directly outside of the site.

Professional sports organizations that want to play or practice with more than 250 people at an outdoor site or directly outside of the site (or 25 people or more for indoor sites) must submit a plan to DOH for approval.  The administration will not approve plans submitted to DOH which include spectators in or directly outside of the site or venue.

Collegiate Sports

All collegiate sports sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and collegiate athletic conferences, as well as intramural and club sports, may resume in-person activities, in alignment with the PA Department of Education (PDE) Preliminary Guidance for Resuming In-Person Instruction at Post Secondary Higher Education Institutions and Adult Basic Education Providers, guidance issued by DOH, the CDC, NCAA, and the team’s relevant collegiate athletic conference. Postsecondary institutions must develop and post online an Athletic Health and Safety Plan for resuming sporting activities. The plan does not need to be submitted to DOH or PDE for approval.

While institutions may resume in-person sports-related activities, the decision to do so is at the discretion of the institution, and such events may only occur in compliance with the Phased Reopening Plan and this Guidance. All sports-related gatherings must conform with the gathering limitations set forth by the Governor’s Plan for Phased Reopening (25 or fewer people for indoor activity, 250 or fewer people for outdoor activity); the facility as a whole may not exceed 50 percent of total occupancy otherwise permitted by law. Gatherings’ occupancy counts include student athletes, coaches, athletic staff, officials, spectators, site staff, and any other individuals on site during the event. All event attendees, including athletes, coaching staff, and officials, must wear face coverings, in accordance with the Secretary of Health’s Universal Face Covering Order, and are expected to maintain social distancing when arriving, attending, and departing the facility.

As more public health information is available, the administration hopes to work with impacted entities to release further guidance to address future sports seasons.

Pre-K to 12 School Sports

Pre-K to 12 (PK-12) school sports under the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) and the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PISAA)  must follow the PDE Preliminary Guidance for Phased Reopening of Pre-K to 12 Schools and the CDC Considerations for Youth Sports.

The administration is concerned that holding school sports before January 2021 presents significant health risks to participants and the public, and strongly recommends against holding such events. The administration strongly recommends that Pre-K to 12 school sports be postponed until at least Jan. 1, 2021. The administration is providing this strong recommendation and not an order or mandate. As with deciding whether students should return to in-person classes, remote learning or a blend of the two this fall, school administrators and locally elected school boards should make decisions on sports. This recommendation:

• Applies to youth team and individual school sports, including cheerleading;
• Allows conditioning, drills and other training activities on an individual basis to continue; and
• Includes competitions, intramural play and scrimmages.

Each school entity must develop and adopt an Athletics Health and Safety Plan aligning to the PDE Preliminary Guidance for Phased Reopening of Pre-K to 12 Schools and the Public Health Guidance Regarding COVID-19 for Phased Reopening of Pre-K to 12 Schools prior to conducting sports-related activities with students. The plan must include the provisions of this guidance, be approved by the local governing body of the school entity and be posted on the school entity’s publicly available website. The Athletics Health and Safety Plan must be included in the school entity’s School Health and Safety Plan submitted to PDE.

All sports-related activities must adhere to the gathering limitations set forth by the Governor’s Plan for Phased Reopening  (25 or fewer people for indoor activity, 250 or fewer people for outdoor activity) and the facility as a whole may not exceed 50 percent of total occupancy otherwise permitted by law. All individuals present at the facility at which such activities are held count towards gathering limitations and must comply with face covering order and social distancing guidelines.

As more public health information is available, the administration may work with impacted entities to release further guidance which could impact future sports seasons.

Recreational and Amateur Sports

Recreational and amateur sports organizations and teams (not affiliated with a public or private PK-12 school), including, but not limited to basketball, hockey, field hockey, football, soccer, swimming, baseball, softball, lacrosse, gymnastics, and kickball, are permitted to conduct in-person activities, including games and practices,  if they strictly adhere to the requirements of this guidance, including the limits on total occupancy outlined below (25 or fewer people indoors, 250 or fewer outdoors).

The administration is, however, concerned that holding recreational and amateur sports before January 2021 presents significant health risks to participants and the public. Similar to school sports, the administration strongly recommends that youth recreational sports be postponed until at least Jan. 1, 2021. The administration is providing this strong recommendation and not an order or mandate. This recommendation:

• Applies to youth team and individual non-school recreational youth sports;
• Allows conditioning, drills and other training activities on an individual basis to continue; and
• Includes competitions, intramural play and scrimmages.

Youth sports should also follow CDC guidance.

Guidance Applicable to All Sporting Events

Local political units and school districts may impose more stringent requirements than those contained in this guidance.  In such instances, businesses must adhere to this guidance as well as any other requirements imposed by the local political units. Teams and organizations should contact their local political subdivision to discuss their plan to resume play and to notify them of their intention to resume play.

To conduct games and practices, organizations and teams authorized to conduct in-person activities pursuant to this guidance must adhere to the following:

• Everyone attending the sporting event, including coaches, officials, athletes, staff, and spectators, age 2 and older must wear face coverings (masks or face shields), unless they are outdoors and can consistently maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet.
• Individuals who fall under an exception listed in Section 3 of Universal Face Covering Order, are not required to wear a face covering.
• Athletes are not required to wear face coverings while actively engaged in workouts and competition that prevent the wearing of face coverings, but must wear face coverings when on the sidelines, in the dugout, etc. and anytime 6 feet of social distancing is not possible.
• Spectators may attend sporting events, but count towards the statewide large gathering limitations (25 or fewer people indoors, 250 or fewer outdoors) and must follow the Universal Face Covering Order and social distancing guidance when arriving, attending, and departing the event.
• Athletic directors, coaches and league officials must review and consider the CDC guidance on consideration for youth sports to modify practices and games to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus. This includes focusing on individual skill building versus competition and limiting contact in close contact sports.
• The community, league, or team must designate a primary point of contact for all questions related to COVID-19, and all parents, athletes, officials, and coaches must be provided the person’s contact information.
• The community, league, or team must develop a plan of action in the event an athlete, coach, or official falls ill, make the plan publicly available, and explain it to the entire sport community.
• The community, league, or team must educate all athletes, staff and families about the symptoms of COVID-19 and when to stay home. Athletes also should be educated on proper hand washing and sanitizing.
• Coaching staff, officials, and other adult personnel must wear face coverings (masks or face shields) at all times, unless doing so jeopardizes their health.
• Coaches and athletes must maintain appropriate social distancing at all times possible, including in the field of play, locker rooms, sidelines, dugouts, benches, and workout areas. During down time, athletes, coaches, and officials should not congregate.
• Coaches and athletic staff must screen and monitor athletes for symptoms prior to and during games and practices. If individuals participating in sporting activities show symptoms, have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher, or are sick, they must be sent home.
• All athletes, coaches, and officials must bring their own water and drinks to team activities. Team water coolers for sharing through disposable cups are not allowed. Fixed water fountains should not be used.
• Activities that increase the risk of exposure to saliva must not be allowed including chewing gum, spitting, licking fingers, and eating sunflower seeds.
• Avoid shaking hands, fist bumps, or high fives before, during or after games and practices. Limit unnecessary physical contact with teammates, other athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators.
• Whenever possible, equipment and other personal items should be separated and not shared. If equipment must be shared, all equipment should be properly disinfected between users. Follow the CDC guidance for cleaning and disinfecting.
• If multiple games are to be held at the same facility, adequate time shall be scheduled between contests to allow for facilities to be cleaned and disinfected, and to minimize interaction between athletes. Sports complexes with multiple fields may operate simultaneous games or practices on fields within a complex only if social distancing can be maintained.  Each individual game or practice at a complex must adhere to the gathering occupancy limits (25 or fewer people indoors, 250 or fewer outdoors), and the facility as a whole may not exceed 50 percent of total occupancy otherwise permitted by law.
• Concession stands or other food must adhere to the Guidance for Businesses in the Restaurant Industry.

To operate games or practice, organizations, and teams that are otherwise permitted to conduct in-person activities pursuant to this guidance are encouraged to do the following:

• Coaches should create a back-up staffing plan which should include cross-training staff and coaches and training all coaches and officials on safety protocols.
• Limit cash transactions to the extent possible; find alternative ways to charge admission and pay for concessions.
• Create protocols to limit entrance and exit traffic, designating specific entry to and exits from facilities. Establish protocols to ensure staggered pick up and drop off for practice and events and ensure that athletes are not congregating while awaiting pick up and to ensure congregation or crowding does not occur on drop off. Pickups and drop offs should remain outside. Parents should not enter the facility.

Guidance for Caregivers and Spectators

• Seating areas, including bleachers, must adhere to social distancing requirements of at least 6 feet of spacing for anyone not in the same household. To assist with proper social distancing, areas should be clearly marked.
• Everyone age 2 or older must wear face coverings (masks or face shields) at all times, unless they are outdoors and can consistently maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet, or fall under an exception listed in Section 3 of the Secretary of Health’s Order on Universal Face Coverings.
• Caregivers or spectators should not enter the field of play or bench areas.
• Non-essential visitors, spectators, and volunteers should be limited when possible, including activities with external groups or organizations. Parents should refrain from attending practices, or volunteering to assist with coaching.
• Caregivers and coaches should assess levels of risk based on individual athletes on the team who may be at a higher risk for severe illness.
• Caregivers should monitor their children for symptoms prior to any sporting event.  Children and athletes who are sick or showing symptoms must stay home.

Further Guidance and Support

In addition to this guidance, communities and organizations should also review the CDC’s Considerations for Youth Sports.

See answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) involving application of the business safety order.

Help is available for people who are struggling with their mental or emotional health or feeling anxious or overly stressed. Contact the Crisis Text Line by texting PA to 741-741.

The Administration recognizes the difficulty of procuring materials businesses need to safely resume operations. If assistance is needed to locate masks and other supplies to carry out these required safety procedures, please visit DCED’s Business2Business Interchange.

Enforcement

Law enforcement officers should refer to Pennsylvania State Police Enforcement Guidance.

If employees or customers want to report possible health and safety violations related to COVID-19:

1. File a complaint with a local health department or a law enforcement agency.
2. Submit this web form to the PA Department of Health.
3. Review OSHA guidance and, if appropriate, file a complaint at OSHA.gov.

Reminders to Contain the Spread of COVID-19: Social Distancing and Other Requirements

When people need to leave their places of residence in connection with allowable individual activities, allowable essential travel, or by virtue of exemption from this policy, the Department of Health strongly encourages individuals to abide by the following social distancing requirements to:

• Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other individuals;
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available;
• Cover coughs or sneezes with a sleeve or elbow, not hands;
• Do not shake hands;
• Regularly clean high-contact surface areas; and
• When sick, stay at home.

Additional Information

For the most up-to-date, reliable information, please continue to refer to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s website for Responding to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration’s Food Security Partnership today joined Feeding Pennsylvania and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank 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.

Leadership from the departments of Aging, Agriculture, and Human Services and the charitable food network partners also urged anyone who is having trouble making ends meet to remember that Pennsylvania’s charitable food network is ready and able to help so no one, no matter the circumstances they are facing, has to go hungry.

“The last six months have upended normalcy for all of us, but for too many Pennsylvanians, this crisis has destabilized financial situations and further strained resources for those already living at or near poverty,” said Secretary Miller. “Pennsylvania’s charitable food network mobilized quickly to serve individuals and families in their communities so people affected by job or income loss would not have to go hungry, and the Wolf Administration is incredibly grateful for their unending commitment to communities they serve. Hunger and food insecurity can have lasting impact on a person’s physical health and overall well-being. I urge anyone in need to use this resource so they do not have to go without this essential need.”

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.

“Nearly 6 percent of older adults in Pennsylvania encounter the threat of food insecurity. With many of them on a fixed income, they face the harsh reality of balancing expenses related to their basic needs such as meals, medications, rent and other essential needs.  Older adults who are impacted by food insecurity have diets that are less nutritious, worse health outcomes and higher risk of depression,” Aging Secretary Robert Torres said. “I encourage every older adult who may be facing food insecurity to seek assistance by contacting either the Department of Aging or their local Area Agency on Aging.  We are available to help you.”

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. Pennsylvania’s food banks typically serve approximately 2.2 million Pennsylvanians 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.

“Throughout the pandemic, our farmers, food processors, retailers and charitable food network have pulled together to keep food on the table for their neighbors across Pennsylvania,” Agriculture Department Deputy Secretary Cheryl Cook said. “These resources are available to those who may have never needed help before. No one in Pennsylvania should go hungry. Please reach out to your neighbors and friends to make sure they know there is help available.”

Pennsylvanians who need help feeding themselves or their family should find and contact their local food bank or pantry through Feeding Pennsylvania and Hunger-Free Pennsylvania.

“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania, our food banks have seen an incredible increase in the number of clients we serve, many of whom had never found themselves in a food pantry before,” 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.”

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.

“Now is the time to take action,” said Central Pennsylvania Food Bank Executive Director Joe Arthur. “Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, our team has distributed more than 200,000 Crisis Response Boxes and millions of pounds of fresh produce, milk, eggs, frozen meats, and more to our charitable food network, enough to provide more than 30 million meals. We know that the demand will continue to increase as there continues to be a huge economic impact from the crisis. By working together, we can provide the healthiest foods available to those in need in our communities.”

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 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.

Congressman Keller signing the Police Pledge to oppose any attempt to defund the police.

Shows unwavering support for the brave men and women of law enforcement

WASHINGTON – Today Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) signed Heritage Action’s Police Pledge, reaffirming his commitment to ensure our nation’s police officers always have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively and keep our communities safe.

Congressman Keller has participated in several law enforcement listening sessions across Pennsylvania’s 12^th Congressional District in order to better inform policy discussions around police reform happening in Congress.

Recently, Congressman Keller co-sponsored H.R. 7632, the Defund Cities that Defund the Police Act, legislation that prohibits a state or local government from receiving certain grant money if they defund the police.

Congressman Keller released the following statement:

“Our police officers represent the thin barrier that stands between order and chaos, and they are a force of good that protects the innocent from those would do them harm. I am proud to sign the Police Pledge and reaffirm my commitment that I will not tolerate any calls to defund our police. Without our police, the anarchy we see in our cities would be just the beginning.”

The full pledge:

“A lawful society—free from mob rule and violent insurrection—is not possible without Law Enforcement.

Police Officers have chosen a noble profession. They dedicate their lives to upholding the law and protecting the scared rights of their fellow citizens. As a profession, they deserve support and respect.

I stand with America’s Police and pledge to oppose any bill, resolution, or movement to “Defund the Police.”

Five new cases added Wednesday in Lycoming County now at 531 cases and 23 total deaths, with 11,050 negatives according to DOH report.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19,

816 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 135,611

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 2, that there are 816 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 135,611 All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between August 26 and September 1 is 164,110 with 4,760 positive cases. There were 22,821 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 1. These results represent the total number of tests administered.

There are 7,712 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 21 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

“The mitigation efforts in place now are essential as we protect our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, including our children as they start school and our loved ones in long-term care facilities,” 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. We know that the cases in schools and in facilities such as nursing homes are often a reflection of the spread of the virus in the local community. Together, as Pennsylvanians, we each have a part to play in working 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 24 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 1,552,085 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;
• Approximately 10% are ages 19-24;
• Approximately 37% are ages 25-49;
• Approximately 22% are ages 50-64; and
• Approximately 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 August 31:

• SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to approximately 18 percent of cases in August;
• NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 25 percent of cases in August;
• NE – 6 percent of cases in April to approximately 20 percent of cases in August;
• SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to 13 percent of cases in August;
• SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 14 percent of cases in August; and
• NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 11 percent of cases in August.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 21,149 resident cases of COVID-19, and 4,534 cases among employees, for a total of 25,683 at 934 distinct facilities in 61 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,213 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 9,710 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. 1:

• Provided latest CMU metrics report.
• 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.

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.

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – In recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, UPMC in the Susquehanna region will offer $55 mammograms to women with limited or no insurance coverage and no prior history of breast disease. These screenings will be offered on a first come, first served basis, and appointments are necessary.

Appointments can be made by calling the phone number of the location you wish to have your mammogram. Be sure to mention $55 mammograms when scheduling your appointment. Mammograms must be paid by cash or check.

Screening Schedule

• Thursday, Sept. 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  UPMC Wellsboro
  32 Central Ave., Wellsboro
  Call 570-723-0160 to schedule an appointment.
• Saturdays, Oct. 3 and 17 from 8 a.m. to noon
  UPMC Muncy
  215 E. Water St., Muncy
  Call 570-321-2545 to schedule an appointment.
  *Offered in collaboration with Susquehanna Imaging Associates.
• Saturdays, Oct. 10 and 24 from 8 a.m. to noon
  Breast Health Center
  UPMC Williamsport, Divine Providence Campus
  1100 Grampian Blvd., Williamsport
  Call 570-326-8200 to schedule an appointment.
  *Offered in collaboration with Susquehanna Imaging Associates.

For more information about screenings and breast health services at UPMC in the Susquehanna region, visit UPMCSusquehanna.org/breast.

By Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

Talkwilliamsport.com has discovered a Request for Application #67-116 commonly referred to as an (RFA) seeking applications for the development of a “hub and spoke” testing system to be administered across six regions in the Commonwealth.

RFA #67-116 is looking for applicants to participate in a process to develop Pennsylvania Approved COVID-19 Testing Sites (PaACTS) and garner their share of a $60,000,000 grant allocation through June 2022.

The application deadline was extended earlier today from September 1, at 1:30 p.m. to “1:30 p.m. Sept. 4, 2020”, RFA 67-116 Addendum 2.

The details outlined for applicants suggest the Pennsylvania Department Of Health believes that COVID-19 will be around until at least June 30, 2022 – and possibly for another 6 years.

Outlined in meticulous granular detail in the Request for Application (RFA) #67-116 is the following:

Type of testing to be performed – “FDA” approved COVID-19 diagnostic and/or antibody testing”

Funding – grant from the CDC “under a cooperative agreement with the Department of Health
and Human Services”

Overall goal – “The overall goal of this funding is to expand the detection, surveillance, mitigation and containment of the COVID-19 virus.”

Term – anticipated grant term is Sept 1, 2020 – June 30, 2022. However, the budget spreadsheet that is also part of the RFA asks for budget details for six years. RFA 67-116 Downloadable Budget

“Equal access to testing” – “The ability to provide equal access to testing: This refers to the ability of an applicant to engage individuals across the region that may or may not have insurance coverage and conduct outreach to various ethnic and racial populations and individuals by sexual orientation and gender identity. All Pennsylvanians deserve equal access to care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic”

Demographic data to be collected – “The Hub is required to develop and implement an intake tool that shall collect demographic information, including data on sexual orientation and gender identity (SO/GI), for each individual that is administered a COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing.”

Building a network – application must show ability to establish a “network of Spokes that can coordinate efforts to engage and increase access to approved high quality COVID-19 testing for individuals by June 30, 2022.”

Reporting – various reports are required at several points in time.

Budget – $39 million for year 1 from Sept 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021; $21 million for the second year period from  July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022

Regions  – Year 1 – Sept. 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021

Region 1 – Southeast Counties –       $11,610,000
Region 2 – Northeast Counties –      $ 5,730,000
Region 3 – Southcentral Counties – $ 5,730,000
Region 4 – Northcentral Counties – $ 4,050,000
Region 5 – Southwest Counties –      $ 7,410,000
Region 6 – Northwest Counties –      $ 4,470,000

Total                                                        $39,000,000

Regions – Year 2 – July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022

Region 1 – Southeast Counties –       $ 8,610,000
Region 2 – Northeast Counties –      $ 2,730,000
Region 3 – Southcentral Counties – $ 2,730,000
Region 4 – Northcentral Counties – $ 1,050,000
Region 5 – Southwest Counties –        $ 4,410,000
Region 6 – Northwest Counties –      $ 1,470,000

Total                                                         $21,000,000

The RFA can be found here: RFA 67-116

RFA 67-116 Addendum 1

 

Recently launched initiatives by the Department of Health on spending or requested authority to spend:

• $25 million on 4,000 contact tracers was approved as an emergency request.
• $2 million on a smartphone app was approved as an emergency request.
• Contact tracing database solicitation period has closed with no report on contract award or funding amount
  involved.

From RFA 67-116:

A. Information for Applicants
The COVID-19 virus has been shown to spread quickly through communities within the Commonwealth as well as United States creating a disruption of community and business activities and impacting the delivery of care by our healthcare systems.

Since the confirmation of the first case of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, every county in the Commonwealth has been
affected as COVID-19 has spread from person to person due to exposure to individuals that may be symptomatic (that is, having fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell) or asymptomatic.

Many areas of Pennsylvania are also experiencing “community spread”, which means that COVID-19 is being transmitted through unknown sources and not from a known infected area.

Through this RFA, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (Department) is soliciting applications for the Pennsylvania Approved COVID-19 Testing Sites (PaACTS) program from Pennsylvania institutions and organizations that shall create a Hub and Spoke network of approved testing sites within six regions. These networks will facilitate access for individuals to receive COVID-19 testing to rapidly detect and identify cases of COVID-19 infection that lead to implementing appropriate clinical and community mitigation efforts. At minimum, each PaACTS program shall include a Hub and network of Spokes.

For the purposes of this program, a Hub is defined as an organization with a team of experts that shall oversee establishing approved testing sites (Spoke locations) within counties across a region and provide support to
those Spoke locations. A Hub shall include, but not be limited to, a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified laboratory approved to conduct COVID-19 tests and laboratory personnel including an individual who meets the standard of a CLIA approved laboratory director of high complexity testing. At a minimum, the services provided by a Hub to each Spoke shall include the training of personnel to administer and oversee the quality of tests provided to individuals and the collection, maintenance and reporting of demographic and testing results for mitigation efforts and research purposes and technical assistance on billing and insurance reimbursement for COVID-19 tests. A Spoke is defined as a location within a region that can offer FDA approved COVID-19 diagnostic and/or antibody testing, including specimen collection, to individuals while being supported by the Hub. Spokes can include but are not limited to health care providers, civic and community groups, pharmacies and laboratories.

Providers that are affiliated with academic institutes may also be used as Spokes. Each application must provide details on how the applicant shall develop and build Spokes that use either its existing network of health care providers, civic and community groups and laboratories, or create new relationships with health care providers, civic and community groups and laboratories within the region, or both. Each application must demonstrate the applicant’s ability to establish a Spoke or network of Spokes that shall increase access to approved COVID-19
testing. While staff time may be paid for by this Grant, the organization may not retain payment for what it billed commercial insurance or Medicaid. The Pennsylvania Approved COVID-19 Testing Sites Program will be funded through the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Enhanced Detection Funding administered by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under a cooperative agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services. The Grant program aims to address the COVID-19 pandemic by using a Hub and Spoke model that when implemented will increase access to testing using COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing and other Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved testing methods.

The Department is interested in funding applications addressing the establishment of PaACTS in a Hub and Spoke in each of the six identified regions within the Commonwealth to provide COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing to people in Pennsylvania. The overall goal of this funding is to expand the detection, surveillance, mitigation and containment of the COVID-19 virus.

The anticipated Grant Agreement term is Sept. 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022 subject to the availability of funding. If more funding becomes available from the Federal government, supplemental dollars could be provided to PaACTS Grantees.

The ability of the Hub to meet testing goals across a region:

There are two kinds of tests available for COVID-19: diagnostic tests and antibody tests.

Each applicant must explain the types of tests that shall be offered to individuals at each Spoke location and the reasons why each test will or will not be available. An awarded applicant shall demonstrate how its network of Spokes can meet a testing goal of providing access to COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing to 90% of the people residing across the counties within a region using the Department guidelines for COVID-19 diagnostic testing above and CDC interim guidelines for testing of
antibodies.

To determine the testing goals of a region, the Hub shall develop a geographic radius of each Spoke location that can provide the two types of tests to at least 90% of the individuals within that area.

Each application must also include policies and procedures to be used to administer tests based on Department guidelines for COVID-19 diagnostic testing
(https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Guidance/Testing-Factsheet.aspx)
and CDC interim guidelines for testing of antibodies:

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antibody-tests-guidelines.html).

i. High Priority.

Diagnostic testing shall be considered a high priority testing for the following
individuals:
a. Persons with symptoms of potential COVID-19 infection, including fever, cough,
shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, new loss of taste or smell, vomiting or
diarrhea, and/or sore throat.
b. Hospitalized patients who have likely been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of
symptoms.
c. Residents in long-term care facilities or other congregate living settings, including
prisons and shelters, regardless of symptoms.
d. Persons >65 years of age, regardless of symptoms.
e. Persons with underlying medical conditions, regardless of symptoms.
f. Persons in critical and/or high-risk occupations, regardless of symptoms:
1. Workers in inpatient and outpatient health care facilities.
2. Workers in long term care facilities or congregate living settings.
3. Emergency/first responders and public safety personnel, including child
protective services, adult protective services, and domestic violence
providers.
4. Public health personnel.
5. Food supply chain workers (including farmers, food processing facilities
and warehouses, and grocery store workers).
6. Workers in critical infrastructure occupations.
7. Pharmacists and pharmacist technicians.
8. Military personnel.

ii. Medium priority.

Diagnostic testing shall be considered a medium priority testing for the
following individuals:
a. Persons likely to have been exposed to COVID-19 diagnosed individuals and identified through public health investigations (i.e., contact tracing)
b. Asymptomatic individuals as determined by the individual’s attending health care provider for medical diagnostic purposes based on the provider’s medical judgment in providing direct care to the individual.

iii. Antibody Testing. The Commonwealth offers guidance regarding diagnostic tests only.
Since it can take 1-3 weeks after infection to make antibodies, an antibody test may not be able to show if a person has a current infection. The Commonwealth does not know yet if having antibodies to the virus can protect a person from getting infected with the virus again, or how long that protection might last. At this time, the Commonwealth is working closely with the medical and scientific community to better understand the applicability and role of antibody testing.

If the applicant is proposing to make antibody testing available, the applicant shall develop policies and procedures based on the CDC’s “Interim Guidelines for COVID-19 Antibody Testing in Clinical and Public Health Settings”:
(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antibody-tests-guidelines.html).

The ability of the Hub to establish policies, procedures and best practices to be used by the Spokes:

The Hub is required to establish policies, procedures and best practices for the Spokes to follow in administering COVID-19 tests to individuals. Policies and best practices, at a minimum, shall cover the following:
a. Testing methods for the COVID-19 virus.
b. Training of personnel to properly administer each different type of approved COVID-19 test.
c. Screening of uninsured, underinsured, and those who have private insurance.
d. Collection and reporting of personal information and testing data.
The ability of the Hub to collect and manage outcome data: Each application must demonstrate the Hub’s ability to collect, track and report testing results for individuals that will help inform public health policy decisions, drive mitigation efforts, and provide information for research purposes. The Hub is required to develop and implement an intake tool that shall collect demographic information, including data on sexual orientation and gender identity (SO/GI), for each individual that is administered a COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing. The
requirement is that the applicant collect data through their own electronic medical record system to allow for evaluation and research.

An awarded applicant shall be required to send a monthly progress report and a quarterly quantitative report to the Department.

The applicant must demonstrate that it shall be able to report all testing results through the Department’s Pennsylvania-Electronic Laboratory Reporting (PA-ELR) service. Information on how an awarded applicant can participate and enroll in the PA-ELR can be found at:
https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/Reporting-Registries/Pages/PA-ELR.aspx.

No paper reporting of test results shall be accepted by the Department under this program.

 

The Department will make awards for one application per region that meets the requirements of this RFA for a Hub and Spoke model established in counties across each of the following six regions:

Region 1 – Southeast Counties – Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Schuylkill.
Region 2 – Northeast Counties – Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming.
Region 3 – Southcentral Counties – Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntington, Juniata, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry and York.
Region 4 – Northcentral Counties – Bradford, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union.
Region 5 – Southwest Counties – Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland.
Region 6 – Northwest Counties – Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango and Warren.

An Applicant must submit a separate application for each region it proposes to cover.

4. Deliverables
a. The awarded applicant shall establish a PaACTS program based on a Hub-and-Spoke model.
b. The Hub shall consist of at least two core staff members, one of whom must be a physician who is board-certified in internal medicine and one must be a practitioner, certified infection preventionist or epidemiologist with specialized training in implementing and maintaining infection prevention and control plans within a
hospital or health system.
c. The awarded applicant shall establish a network of Spokes that can coordinate efforts to increase access to approved high quality COVID-19 testing for individuals. The Hub shall meet a testing goal of providing access to COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing to 90% of the people residing across the counties within a region
using the Department guidelines for COVID-19 diagnostic testing above and CDC interim guidelines for testing of antibodies.
d. The awarded applicant shall develop policies, procedures and best practices for the Spokes to follow in administering COVID-19 tests to individuals and shall provide these policies to the Department by Nov. 1, 2020.
e. The awarded applicant shall provide a plan that will engage individuals across the region that may or may not have insurance coverage and conduct outreach to various vulnerable populations.
f. The awarded applicant will enroll or be enrolled in the Department’s Pennsylvania – Electronic Laboratory Reporting (PA-ELR) service by Oct. 1, 2020, including having been onboarded and successfully sending results to the Department.
g. The awarded applicant shall develop and submit monthly and quarterly report as required under this RFA.

5. Reporting Requirements
a) The awarded applicant(s) shall be required to submit a written mid-term report of progress, issues, and activities to the Department within 180 days after the Grant effective date. The mid-term report shall, at a minimum, identify if activities are proceeding according to the project plan, and explain any deviations from the project plan.
b) The awarded applicant(s) shall be required to submit a final written report within 30 days after the close of the Grant. The final report shall summarize the project and shall include the total number of each type of test provided and the total number of individuals tested with each type of test during the term of the Grant, demographic summaries of those tested by test type and result and any information on vulnerable populations and critical infrastructure workers. The final written report shall also present a forecast for how the PaACTS program shall continue operation.
c) The awarded applicants shall be required to request written approval from the Department prior to making any changes in the project that include, at a minimum, the following: replacing key personnel identified in the application, closing or relocating a Spoke location, adding or discontinuing any new types of COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing that shall be administered to individuals, and enhancements that affect the scope or methodology of the project.
d) The awarded applicant(s) shall develop a written report detailing the sustainability of the program and how it shall remain active and be funded after the terms of the Grant Agreement. This report shall be provided to the Department by Dec. 31, 2020.
e) The awarded applicant(s) shall be required to submit a written monthly report of the progress, issues, and activities as determined by the Department for each month covered by Grant period. The monthly report is due to the Department no later than 15 calendar days following the end of the reporting month.
Each monthly report shall, at a minimum, contain the following information:
1. The name and location of each Spoke.
2. An overview of the technical assistance the Hub has provided to each Spoke location.
3. An overview of the community engagement efforts and inclusivity practices incorporated into Hub and Spoke activities.
4. Whether any changes in the scope or methodology of testing within the program have been approved by the Department since the last monthly report was filed. The report should also include any proposed changes to scope or methodology of the program that is being considered in the future by the applicant.
f) The awarded applicant(s) shall be required to submit quarterly quantitative reports to the Department. Quantitative information shall at a minimum include information on demographic data including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and age.

Each quarterly report shall, at a minimum, contain the following information:
1. The number of individuals served at each Spoke location. This section shall include a total number of individuals served during the previous 3-months at each Spoke location covered by the report and shall at a minimum include information on demographic data including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and age.
2. The projected number of individuals expected to be tested for the remainder of the year at each Spoke location for which the report is prepared.
3. An evaluation of how testing services and activities are proceeding at each Spoke location.
4. The number of individuals by populations served.
g) All testing results shall be reported through the Department’s Pennsylvania-Electronic Laboratory Reporting (PA-ELR) service. Information on how an awarded applicant can participate and enroll in the PA-ELR can be found at: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/Reporting-Registries/Pages/PA-ELR.aspx.

No paper reporting of test results shall be accepted by the Department under this program.

 

Note: The Work Statement, Cover Page, Certifications Form, Budget and Budget Definitions are not counted in the 30-page limit.

d) Budget – Use the downloadable format to present the budget request. Instructions
regarding completion of the budget can be found in the last worksheet of the
downloadable excel budget file.

The anticipated Grant Agreement term is Sept. 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022.

RFA 67-116 Downloadable Budget

The overall 22-month budget for the application shall not exceed the amount appropriated for each region including direct costs and overhead, and will be paid by monthly reimbursements. The budget needs to contain an Overall Summary in addition to a Summary with Budget Details for each year.

3. Budget Definitions
Personnel: This budget category shall identify each position by job title, hourly rate, and the number of hours per year allocated to the project. Fringe benefits are to be shown as a separate line item by percentage and shall include a detailed listing of the benefits being covered.
Consultant Services: This budget category shall identify the services to be provided by each
consultant including hourly rate and number of hours to be utilized under this Grant.
Subcontract Services: This budget category shall identify the services to be provided by each
subcontractor under this Grant.
Patient Services: This budget category shall reflect funding dedicated for patient services.
Equipment: This budget category shall reflect the actual or projected cost of any equipment $5,000
or greater. Justification for the purchase of any equipment must be included. Purchase of equipment
is not a priority of the Department.
Supplies: This budget category shall reflect expected costs for general office supplies including
personal computers and facsimile machines valued at less than $5,000 and laboratory supplies which
may include, but not be limited to, specimen collection supplies such as nasopharyngeal or anterior
nares swabs, viral transport media and reagents and consumables for laboratory instruments needed
to support this project.
Travel: This budget category shall include anticipated expenditures for travel including mileage,
hotels and meals. Mileage between sites for staff coordination between the Hub and Spokes and to
transport individuals to be tested is an allowed expense.
Other: This budget category shall be used for anticipated expenditures that do not fit into any of the
other budget categories such as telephone, printing, postage, outreach efforts, and indirect costs
(overhead, general, and administrative). Indirect rates cannot exceed the provider’s Federally
approved indirect cost rate schedule. In the description area under OTHER COSTS include the %
that the rate reflects, identify the budget categories to which the rate was applied, and list the specific
items that the indirect is paying for.

Note: A budget justification is not required for this RFA. If it is provided, there is not a page limit.

Also, please note that PaACTS Program funds can be used for several of the following frequently asked services:
• Purchase, administration and processing of approved diagnostic and antibody tests.
• New staff training at a Spoke location.
• Existing staff who work on PaACTS Program activities (Payment should only be used
for PaACTS Program activities).
• Rent for physical space for PaACTS Program activities.
• IT costs.
• Technical assistance and support provided to the Spokes.
• Community outreach and engagement efforts associated with testing.

So many questions arose from the RFA, the Department of Health offered an Addendum to attempt to answer them and as noted in the answer to Question 1, the federal government is regularly supplying Pennsylvania with testing supplies; “the state is receiving monthly shipments of specimen collection supplies from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The state will continue to share these swabs and tubes with healthcare facilities in Pennsylvania who need them.”

Pennsylvania Approved COVID-19 Testing Sites (PaACTS)
Date: August 24, 2020
Addendum Number: 1 RFA 67-116 Addendum 1
Addendum Changes: This addendum is to provide answers to all questions per the RFA Potential Applicant letter.

Question 1: If chosen to do testing at the Hub locations, will the State provide/source kits for testing? Or do we have to perform the testing from the limited testing supplies that we can individually source?

Answer 1: Organizations should plan to procure their own testing supplies through their typical purchasing channels, but currently the state is receiving monthly shipments of specimen collection supplies from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The state will continue to share these swabs and tubes with healthcare facilities in Pennsylvania who need them. The state does not have the ability to provide other testing supplies for specific instruments, such as the Cepheid GeneXpert, Hologic Panther, Roche cobas, and other instruments.

Talkwilliamsport.com will continue to provide updates on this developing story.