Harrisburg, PA –The University of Pittsburgh Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) today announced the receipt of a cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement and evaluate a comprehensive public health approach to suicide prevention, focusing especially on service members, veterans, and their families.

“We all share the responsibility to prevent suicide, which is why we are proud to work with PERU, the CDC, and our other partners to develop programs and practices that will address suicide and offer support and resources to individuals who think about it, plan for it or attempt it,” said DHS Secretary Teresa Miller. “We know that veterans carry a greater risk for suicide than the general population, and that’s why the work we are doing is so critical. The work that this cooperative agreement funds will help save lives across Pennsylvania.”

“Our veterans and their families endure added stress in their lives because of the incredible sacrifices they made while serving our nation,” said Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA. “As a result, veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than Americans who never served in the military. Our goal is to reduce veteran suicide to zero and we will need the support of community partners like DHS and PERU to achieve that goal. We look forward to the positive impact this grant will have on the lives of our veterans and their families.”

The CDC, through this cooperative agreement, awarded PERU $700,000 in funding each year over the next five years for suicide prevention by creating the Northwest Pennsylvania Veteran Suicide Prevention Program. The primary long-term outcome of the program is to reduce the average rate of suicide in 15 counties – Erie, Warren, McKean, Crawford, Forest, Elk, Clearfield, Jefferson, Armstrong, Clarion, Butler, Venango, Mercer, Lawrence, and Beaver – by at least 10 percent by the conclusion of the five-year project period.

The program will consist of an assessment of active county, state, and national suicide prevention initiatives to identify gaps in services and programming. Following the assessment, PERU will develop and implement additional risk assessment programs, community-based trainings, and healthcare-related initiatives across the 15-county target region. Quantitative and qualitative data will be collected throughout the program to identify best practices and develop future policy.

“PERU is honored to work with the Commonwealth on this important initiative, which will provide Pennsylvania’s northwestern counties with the opportunity to implement data-driven strategies to prevent veteran suicides in their communities,” said Janice Pringle, PhD, PERU executive director and the project’s principal investigator. “It is our hope that this program will become a model for other parts of the state and the nation.”

PERU has partnered with the Pennsylvania departments of Health, Drug and Alcohol Programs, the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the CDC, and the mental health administrators in each of the counties to implement and evaluate a comprehensive approach to prevent suicide in the northwest Pennsylvania veteran population. This work will also supplement Pennsylvania’s Statewide Suicide Prevention Plan and the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and Their Families.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal ideation or have in past, know that help is always available:

• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.
• The Spanish-language National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-888-628-9454
• For the Mental Health Crisis Text Line: Text PA to 741741
• Support and Referral Helpline: 1-855-284-2494. For TTY, dial 724-631-5600.

These free resources are available 24/7. If you are concerned about someone else’s well-being, these resources can help you be a life-saving assistance. No matter what you are going through, help is available.

Find more information on the Wolf Administration’s efforts to prevent suicide here.

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf will announce virtually on Wednesday his recipients of the Governor’s Awards for Excellence, which included a program area and an individual from the Department of Health. Recipients from the department were the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and an individual recipient, Adam Overmiller.

Members of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) office recognized with the award included Director Jared Shinabery, Carrie Ann Thomas Goetz, Craig Costigan, Tamara Seiler, John Krahel and Colleen DiVittore. Project manager Stanley Murzynski of the Office of Administration was also recognized for his role on the team.

“I am so proud of the life-saving work and the staff leading these efforts to ensure individuals are connected to treatment,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program has played a crucial role in helping Pennsylvania address the opioid crisis. The Patient Advocacy Program, launched by the PDMP in September 2019, is an essential tool to help individuals who abruptly lose access to care.”

Since September 2019, the Patient Advocacy Program has completed rapid responses for 11 events affecting large patient populations, such as the arrest of a provider, the surrender of a DEA license, or the closure of a clinic. Additionally, the program has coordinated outreach to more than 1,060 individuals through direct correspondence and collaboration with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, commercial health plans, the Department of Human Services, and Managed Care Organizations.

Since August 2016, there has been a 36 percent decrease in opioid prescriptions in Pennsylvania. This reduction is due in part to the PDMP prevention programs aimed at decreasing inappropriate prescribing behaviors.

In addition, the PDMP has worked to send 66 EpiCenter alerts when there are unusually high numbers of drug overdoses in a particular county. These alerts are shared with the Opioid Command Center, state agencies and local stakeholders, with the goal to reduce overdoses and overdose deaths by directing resources to areas of immediate need.

The individual recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence, Adam Overmiller, is a Public Health Program Administrator in the Bureau of Health Promotion and Risk Reduction within the department.

Mr. Overmiller is being recognized for his innovative geographic information system (GIS) language mapping tool that captures and shares data on the languages people speak. The tool can be used for education among state agencies to improve communication when reaching and gaining populations, distributing voter registration information, providing education and other commonwealth-provided services.

“The department is committed to working to reach everyone, regardless of their language, race, ethnicity and literacy level,” Secretary Levine said. “This language map is an essential tool for us as we work to communicate with all Pennsylvanians. We are committed to health equity and addressing the social determinants of health, so ensuring we can communicate to someone in their language is a key part of that process.”

The map allows people to be communicated with in their own language, which is essential to creating better health outcomes for individuals. In addition, it will assist the commonwealth in reaching people and transform the way it communicates with residents across the state.

The Governor’s Awards for Excellence recognize commonwealth employees for exemplary job performance or service that reflects initiative, leadership, innovation and/or increased efficiency. A total of 49 employees from nine agencies received awards for accomplishments in 2019.

For more information on the Department of Health, visit at www.health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today shared its weekly update on Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing data.

“Contact tracing is an important public health strategy to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while informing any close contacts about their exposure anonymously, and we appreciate that Pennsylvanians are doing their part to answer the call,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “For case investigations, it is important for our fellow Pennsylvanians to pick up the phone when public health professionals call to ensure that public health staff can inform them of the important steps they can take to protect their communities and those close to them. If you are a close contact, we need you to answer the call to stop this virus in its tracks before it could affect your loved ones, co-workers or friends across the state.”

Contact tracing is the process of identifying, notifying, and monitoring anyone who came in close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 while they were infectious. The contact tracing process is not possible without a case investigation by a public health professional. Case investigators make the initial call to those with positive COVID-19 test results.

During the case investigation, public health professionals spend 30 to 60 minutes asking questions to ensure all potential close contacts are identified. They collect information about who the case came in contact with and where they went while they were infectious. Information collected during the case investigation process is not shared publicly unless doing so would help the department in its efforts to stop the spread on a broader scale. Between Sunday, September 12 and Saturday, September 19, there were 5,747 COVID-19 cases statewide and 55 percent of all cases had a case investigation started within 24 hours of receiving the positive report.

After the initial case investigation is complete, contact tracing begins. Within the same time period of September 12 to September 19, there were 1,303 contact tracing staff working with local and county health entities, partner organizations and the Regional Response Health Collaboration Program within the Department of Human Services. Currently 290 paid employees are being onboarded through a partnership with Insight Global.

Of the current 1,303 contact tracers there are 67 volunteers, 10 care resource managers, and 20 contact tracing supervisors. These staff monitored 8,927 contacts that were identified during the case investigations.

As of the August 2020 report released August 14, there were 1,032 contact tracing staff in operation with the following breakdown in each regional health district in Pennsylvania:

• Northcentral: 32 contact tracing staff
• Northeast: 114 contact tracing staff
• Northwest: 52 contact tracing staff
• Southcentral: 62 contact tracing staff
• Southeast: 408 contact tracing staff
• Southwest: 74 contact tracing staff

As the contact tracing program expands, the Department of Health continues to work in partnership with over 150 organizations, in addition to the county and municipal health departments, through regional partnerships to help gather and answer questions, identify problems and find solutions to improve contact tracing efforts within the region. Each regional partnership has met at least once, and includes public health staff, health providers, academic institutions, community organizations, and other stakeholders interested in helping to coordinate and engage around contact tracing efforts.

Organizations and entities interested in partnering in these efforts should reach out to RA-DHCONTACTTRACING@pa.gov.

You can find more information on the state’s contact tracing efforts and all available contact tracing positions at the Department of Health’s website here.

Pennsylvanians are reminded that mask-wearing is required when visiting businesses or in any setting outside the home where social distancing is difficult. Remember: My mask protects you; your mask protects me.

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.

At a Monday afternoon press conference, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf was asked by Todd Bartley of TalkWilliamsport.com about the 25 person indoor capacity limit for in-person voting on election day.

https://www.facebook.com/repdiamond/videos/1419928348200696/

 

Republican Pennsylvania State Representative Russ Diamond, a vocal critic of Governor Wolf and his administration seized on the opportunity to once again call out the Governor on his Facebook page

Images: Carol Fausnaught, Board Chair of Dwell Orphan Care (top left)

Jennifer Lake, Executive Director of Dwell Orphan Care (middle)

Fred Holland, WASD Solicitor (top right), Dwell Orphan Care Logo (bottom left)

WASD Logo (bottom right)

 

The following is an opinion editorial authored by Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com, news@talkwilliamsport.com.

Did Ibram X. Kendi, author of “How to Be an Antiracist,” who attacked President Donald Trump’s likely Supreme Court nominee, federal Judge Amy Coney Barrett, as a white supremacist on Saturday for adopting two children from Haiti actually have just proven that Jennifer Lake is herself systemically racist?

As a reader you must understand Jennifer Lake has told us all how woke she is and has written extensively about it before removing articles from her own website shortly after this series began.

Her “woke-ness” stems from her being the adoptive mother of a black son while he was still an infant.

This may come to a shock to many of you, soon to be confirmed Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett has two adopted children from Haiti.

According to leaders in the same political party as Jennifer Lake, the fact that Judge Barrett adopted these children is disqualifying for her to serve on the highest court in the land.

Curious if Jennifer Lake would agree, or would she stand up for a fellow adoptive white mother of black children?

Or for Jennifer Lake, do “Only Certain Black Lives Matter”?

In reality Jennifer Lake by telling us how systemically racist we all are and having the Williamsport Area School District codify it; she just sank the battleship with her own words.

Any minority student, teacher, coach, administrator, parent or even taxpayer can bring civil litigation against the WASD for mistreatment and Exhibit A is the document the entire board unanimously approved.

 

This past Saturday, Tristan Justice of The Federalist authored “Anticapitalist Sponsored By Twitter CEO Accuses Amy Coney Barrett Of ‘Colonialism’ For Adopting From Haiti”.

The article reads in part, “Some White colonizers ‘adopted’ Black children,” Kendi wrote on Twitter. “They ‘civilized’ these ‘savage’ children in the ‘superior’ ways of White people, while using them as props in their lifelong pictures of denial, while cutting the biological parents of these children out of the picture of humanity.””

Justice goes onto write, “Kendi was responding to a tweet featuring parents with black children that didn’t even depict Coney Barrett. Kendi said it didn’t matter, because reasons.

“Whether this is Barrett or not is not the point. It is a belief too many White people have: if they have or adopt a child of color, then they can’t be racist,” Kendi wrote, because according to his own philosophy, absolutely nothing can abdicate white people of their inborn racism.”

So Jennifer Lake, how about that, according to Kendi, even as the mother of an adopted black child you may in fact be even more of a racist than you are telling everyone else they are.

Let that sink in.

Need a tissue?

Maybe the Board Chair of Dwell Orphan Care can issue a statement on your behalf.

Can Carol Fausnaught, actually do that for you or do you need to actually stand up for what you claim to stand for as a WASD school board member?

 

IS A DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION INVESTIGATION IN ORDER FOR THE WASD?

Based on the anti-racism proclamation issued by the WASD and the one Jennifer Lake had a huge hand in authoring, should the U.S. Department of Education launch an investigation into the district to explore her claims?

On September 21, 2020, Forbes – Senior Contributor Education writer Frederick Hess author penned an article “Princeton’s President Says His School Is Racist—So Betsy DeVos Launched An Investigation”.

“Last week, the U.S. Department of Education informed Princeton it was under investigation for violating the Civil Rights Act. It would seem the Department of Education had little choice. After all, the president of Princeton University, which annually collects $300 million in federal research funding and millions more in federal student financial aid, recently declared that his university is systematically racist. “

On September 2, Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber issued a letter announcing that racism and oppression “persist at Princeton” and that this is “sometimes by conscious intention.” Eisgruber asserted that “racist assumptions from the past” remain “embedded in structures of the University itself.” 

Hess asserts, “Sweeping assertions of discriminatory conduct aren’t just empty verbiage, they’re serious charges that deserve evidentiary support.”

Hess’s article concludes by saying, “In either case, Betsy DeVos’s Department of Education has reasonably decided to take Princeton’s president at his word and duly investigate in accordance with federal law. It’s hard to imagine proponents of equality or justice taking issue with that.”

Right Jennifer?

 

JENNIFER LAKE HIDES BEHIND CAROL FAUSNAUGHT

This author requested any number of documents from Jennifer Lake for this series as well as comment.

Her response was dated July 17, 2020, mailed on July 22, 2020 with a return address of 604 Market Street, commonly known as First United Methodist Church.

The documents which cost $14.15 to mail were not received until recently.

The cover letter ends with “Additionally, the board is aware Mrs. Lake received a phone call from you on Friday, July 3, 2020 requesting the above information.

Please be advised that we request that you cease all phone calls and email correspondence to Mrs.

Lake and direct any requests for Dwell information to the Board at our mailing address:

604 Market Street, Williamsport, PA 17701.”

 

The mailing address for Dwell Orphan Care is the same address listed on the First United Methodist Church website as follows:

FIRST EVANGELICAL CENTER (FEC) | 604 Market St, Williamsport, PA 17701

MAIN OFFICE | 604 Market St, Williamsport, PA 17701

 

Is Dwell Orphan Care under the auspices of First United Methodist Church, and if so what role does Jennifer Lake have in the operation of the church?

Referring back to the cover letter sent by Carol Fausnaught, this author requested “Mrs. Lake’s work history, title, job description, and dates employed by First United Methodist Church and Bethany Christian Services.”

According to the Dwell Orphan Care website, “Jenn serves alongside her husband in his role as Lead Pastor of First United Methodist Church.”

According to the First United Methodist Church website staff page, there is no mention or photo of Jennifer Lake serving in such a role.

Fausnaught replied in the cover letter, “Dwell is unable to provide Mrs. Lake’s employment information for previous employers.”

Has Jennifer Lake left the employment of First United Methodist Church?

 

DWELL ORPHAN CARE FOUNDING DOCUMENTS

On November 26, 2018, Dwell Orphan Care filed with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations Articles of Incorporation – Nonprofit.

The incorporators were Jennifer Lake and Heidi Mnkandhla.

Articles of Incorporation – Nonprofit were signed by Lake and Mnkandhla on November 14, 2018.

The Articles of Incorporation were filed by attorney Fred Holland.

The same Fred Holland who is the solicitor for the Williamsport Area School District.

The same Fred Holland who characterized what has later been confirmed by Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner to be “criminal sexual misconduct”, or as Holland claimed “indecent and inappropriate behavior on the part of a WAHS baseball player.”

Jennifer Lake has Articles of Incorporation filed by the same attorney whom she serves with on the Williamsport Area School Board.

Could that be considered a conflict of interest?

Did Fred Holland raise any objections to the “anti-racism” declaration approved by the WASD School Board?

Is it plausible, Jennifer Lake already ensured his silence similarly to the way George Lepley did in the Myrtle Beach case with the letter of May 31, 2018 threatening the WASD with legal action?

 

WHY THREE ADDRESSES FOR DWELL ORPHAN CARE?

Carol Fausnaught, demanded this author use the same address listed on the First United Methodist Church website (604 Market St, Williamsport, PA 17701) for future correspondence with Jennifer Lake, so why at the bottom of the letterhead the demand is made on is there no mention of the address that is used to file the annual IRS tax return?

The third address listed as the office for Dwell Orphan Care is 1157 Market Street, Williamsport, PA 17701. This address is the North Campus of First United Methodist Church.

According to the Dwell Orphan Care Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations Articles of Incorporation – Nonprofit filed on the November 26, 2018;

2. a. The address of this corporation’s current registered office in this Commonwealth is:

117 Lincoln Avenue Williamsport, PA 17701 Lycoming County

That address is considered the parsonage owned by First United Methodist Church.

It is the same address Jennifer Lake used on all of her Petitions for election to the Williamsport Area School Board.

 

REALTY TRANSFER TAX STATEMENT OF VALUE

On August 30, 2013, a real estate transfer occurred in Lycoming County between First United Methodist Church and itself.

A QUIT-CLAIM deed was recorded in the Lycoming County Courthouse dated August 26, 2013 between “First United Methodist Church GRANTOR and the First United Methodist Church, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, a charitable corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, GRANTEE, 

In consideration of One Dollar ($1.00) and other good and valuable consideration in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the said Grantor does hereby release and QUIT-CLAIM to the said Grantee.”

According to the “REALTY TRANSFER TAX STATEMENT OF VALUE”, D. REAL ESTATE LOCATION:

117 Lincoln Avenue Williamsport, PA 17701

E. VALUATION DATA 

1. ACTUAL CASH CONSIDERATION $1.00

2. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS $0.00

3. TOTAL CONSIDERATION $1.00

4. COUNTY ASSESSED VALUE $166,430.00

5. COMMON LEVEL RATIO FACTOR X 1.26

6. FAIR MARKET VALUE $209,701.80

 

F. EXEMPTION DATA 

1a. AMOUNT OF EXEMPTION CLAIMED $209,701.80

1b. PERCENTAGE OF GRANTOR’S INTEREST IN REAL ESTATE 100%

1c. PERCENTAGE OF GRANTOR’S INTEREST CONVEYED 100%

 

Is Jennifer Lake paying property tax in the school district she serves on the school board in?

Carol, Jennifer, care to offer that answer?

 

WHY ARE DWELL ORPHAN CARE DONATIONS NOT BEING SENT TO THE SAME ADDRESS FAUSNAUGHT WANTS MAIL GOING TO?

From the Dwell Orphan Care website:

“CAN WE DONATE BY CHECK?

Yes! Every family has an ID# attached to their profile. Families can find it on their Fundraiser Page. The ID is what Dwell uses to map and apply donations to your fundraiser. When donors send in checks it is vital that your name and ID is listed on the check’s memo line. To guarantee that all donor information is captured and the donation is applied to the correct fundraiser it is imperative that this information is included on a donors check.”

Checks can be mailed to:

Dwell, 117 Lincoln Ave., Williamsport PA 17701.

ATTN: Adoption Assistance Grant

Why are checks being mailed to a different address and a 3% transaction fee being assessed?

 

OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone – PART VI is forthcoming.

 

Previous installments of this series:

 

ENDGAME

OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone – PART IV

OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone – PART III

OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone – PART II

OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone

Thirteen (13) new cases added Saturday in Lycoming County now at 671 cases and one new death, 25 total deaths, with 13,034 negatives according to DOH report.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19,

1,029 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 155,232

Pennsylvanians Urged to Download COVID Alert PA App

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., September 26, that there were 1,029 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 155,232. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

Allegheny is reporting an increase of 102 cases.

The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between September 19 and September 25 is 182,437 with 5,520 positive cases. There were 26,337 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., September 25. These results represent the total number of tests administered.

There are 8,103 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 22 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

“We know that congregation, especially 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. Make your phone part of the fight against COVID-19 today by downloading the COVID Alert PA exposure notification app. 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.

There are 392 cases who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 645 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.

There are 1,830,292 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;
• Nearly 5% are ages 13-18;
• Approximately 13% are ages 19-24;
• Approximately 36% are ages 25-49;
• Nearly 22% are ages 50-64; and
• Nearly 22% 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 68 percent of cases so far in September;
• NE – 6 percent of cases in April to nearly 37 percent of cases so far in September;
• SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to approximately 29 percent of cases so far in September;
• SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to approximately 27 percent of cases so far in September;
• NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 19 percent of cases so far in September; and
• SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to nearly 17 percent of cases so far in September.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 22,680 resident cases of COVID-19, and 4,988 cases among employees, for a total of 27,668 at 973 distinct facilities in 61 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,430 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 10,595 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. 25:

• Issued statement on Trump rallies in PA amid COVID.

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

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

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

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

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

Download the New COVID Alert PA App

Help Spread the Word The app is an effective new tool, but we need your help getting it in the hands of Pennsylvanians. The days following the launch are the most important. We need help getting the word out – and downloads up. As a business and employer, you are uniquely positioned to share information about the COVID Alert PA app. Please tell others that downloading the app protects your workers, customers, family, friends, and neighbors. Check out our Community Resources for downloadable posters, social media materials, postcards, and other free marketing materials.

Your Privacy is Secure COVID Alert PA protects both privacy and personal information. The app does not use GPS, location services, or any movement or geographical information. It will never collect, transmit, or store personal information. It is completely anonymous and voluntary to download. Learn more about how the ENS and the app works and visit the COVID Alert Data and Privacy webpage to learn how data is collected and used.

Questions? For more information on COVID Alert PA, read our Frequently Asked Questions or if you have any issues with the app, please email us.

 

 

“Since July 16th, the state Senate has met for a grand total of four days. They won’t meet again until October 5th. Their colleagues in the House of Representatives met six times and are scheduled back on September 29th. What were the top priorities of the Republican-held General Assembly in the midst of an unprecedented recession and pandemic?

“Not business owners. Lawmakers did not vote on a bill to ensure that business interruption insurance payments are made to business owners who paid premiums and had to close operations due to COVID-19.

“Not sick workers. They did not vote on a bill to ensure that workers have paid sick leave statewide.

“Not tenants or landlords. They did not vote on any of the Democratic bills proposed in the House to protect rents, homeowners, and small landlords from eviction and foreclosure.

…

“Instead, Republicans in both chambers picked a fight with the governor over the crowd size in school sports events.”

Read More…

Harrisburg, PA – Today, the departments of Health and Community and Economic Development announced the launch of a new statewide public health awareness campaign — PA Unites Against COVID — to remind Pennsylvanians that they have the power to stop the spread of COVID-19, and provide them with tools and resources to help educate others and join the fight against the virus.

“Now, more than ever, we need to come together to combat misinformation and do our part to protect the health of our friends and neighbors,” said Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin. “PA Unites Against COVID is a statewide communications effort that encourages every entity in the state — individuals and families, businesses, systems, and institutions — to come together in the fight against COVID-19.”

The campaign will invest $3.8 million funded through a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) grant to educate and rally together Pennsylvania to fight COVID-19, with special focus on marginalized communities. Paid media includes television and radio spots.

Downloadable resources including posters and social media toolkits for community outreach, and information on the new COVID Alert PA app can be found on PA.gov/COVID.

COVID Alert PA is a free, voluntary mobile app developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health in partnership with NearForm, UPenn, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory using the Apple and Google Exposure Notification System. The app’s features include an interactive COVID-19 symptom checker, opt-in for alerts for potential exposures to the virus, updates on the latest public health data about COVID-19 in PA, and advice for what to do if you have a potential exposure to COVID-19.

“COVID-19 is still impacting Pennsylvanians across the state, so it is especially important that we continue to increase awareness about this virus and remind residents of the steps they can take together to help stop the spread,” Dr. Levine said. “I am calling on all Pennsylvanians to unite against COVID by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and downloading COVID Alert PA. This virus is still affecting our communities and it will not go away on its own. We all have a collective responsibility and must be united in this fight against COVID-19.”

Medical experts have applauded the Wolf Administration’s response to the pandemic. Research at the University of Pittsburgh concluded that mitigation efforts have saved thousands of lives. The modeling found that without the restrictions the number of deaths in Pennsylvania would have at least doubled or tripled.

Some of the actions Pennsylvanians can take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 include:

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

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, diarrhea, chills, repeating shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying.

For more information on COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, visit the Department of Health website at www.health.pa.gov.

Harrisburg, Pa. – Today, Governor Tom Wolf urged President Donald Trump to help solve problems for Pennsylvanians instead of exacerbating public health risks in the commonwealth. He called on the president to abide by COVID-19 mitigation guidance when visiting the commonwealth and forgo holding unsafe rallies in Pennsylvania.

The governor made the following statement:

“Three weeks ago, the Trump campaign held a rally here in Pennsylvania that violated the commonwealth’s public health guidance by disregarding gathering limits, mask orders and social distancing guidelines. My administration did not make an exception for that rally, and is still awaiting a response to a letter sent to the Trump campaign on September 10, 2020, asking them to abide by the commonwealth’s COVID-19 mitigation measures in order to keep our residents safe. Again this past Tuesday, the president held a large rally in close quarters here in Pennsylvania. Once again, I am requesting that the President of the United States not endanger Pennsylvanians by holding unsafe rallies that will put Pennsylvania communities at risk.

“It is gravely concerning that the president would insist on holding this event with blatant disregard for social distancing and masking requirements. His decision to bring thousands of people together in a tight space in the midst of a global pandemic caused by an airborne virus is flat out wrong. No matter what party you support, all Americans should be very concerned that the president has put headlines and publicity above the health and safety of our families and communities. Any Pennsylvanian who chooses to attend a rally, or any large gathering, should take protective steps like wearing a mask and maintaining proper social distancing for the duration of the event. Mitigation efforts like these will help protect Pennsylvanians from potentially contracting this deadly virus and bringing it home to their families.

“It is dangerous and disappointing that the president continues to ignore science and his own health advisors while putting the lives of those who support him at risk. The president has admitted to lying about the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the meantime, our country has lost more than 200,000 lives on his watch. While we continue to see only tepid and contradictory attempts at leadership from the White House, families have lost loved ones, the economy has taken a massive hit and communities are crying out for help.

“Instead of spending his time on rallies, the president should return to Washington and deal with things that matter to Pennsylvanians, like unemployment assistance, state and local aid, hazard pay and a cohesive strategy for pulling the country out of this pandemic as quickly as possible.

“To hold this event is not just misguided, it is dangerous, it is manipulative and it is wrong. I would ask Pennsylvanians to think of the health and safety of their families and their communities before attending this event or any rally put on by the Trump campaign. And I would ask the president, for once, to put the health of his constituents ahead of his own political fortunes.”