June is here, many more places are reopening and CDC guidelines are shifting. According to a Realtime Research survey by Invisibly that polled 1277 people, public sentiment on the trustworthiness of the CDC has changed.

Here’s what Invisibly learned:

• 33% of people think the information given by the CDC is completely untrustworthy compared to 23% in July 2020, and only a slight majority of respondents think the CDC is trustworthy.
• 18-24 years old were most likely to trust CDC guidelines, but only at 58%.
• 50% of women trust the CDC, compared to 38% of men and 22% of non-binary respondents.

 

 

You can see the full report and all data here (this is only part of it). If you’d like to learn more, I’m happy to connect you with regular media contributor Dr. Don Vaughn Ph.D. Head of Product at Invisibly for a phone, zoom/skype or email interview.

(Harrisburg, Pa.) A state Senate committee voted 6-4 in favor of a bill that would forbid vaccine passports in Pennsylvania. The legislation is Republican backed and opposed by Democrats.

The legislation would prohibit state agencies, counties, municipalities, schools and bars from enforcing vaccine passports. Private businesses and groups would not be impacted.
The bill went for its first consideration before the full state Senate on yesterday.

By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
Pennsylvania is firing a company that performed COVID-19 contact tracing and exposed the private medical information of tens of thousands of residents. That’s according to Republican state lawmakers, who released a statement from the state Health Department on Thursday. Employees of Insight Global used unauthorized Google accounts to personal information about residents who had been reached for contact tracing. The state had planned to drop Insight Global once its contract expires at the end of the July, but the Health Department told House Republicans on Thursday that it will terminate the contract early, on June 19.

Keystone State News Connection

May 20, 2021

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania schools will have some major federal help as they reopen their doors, and teachers want districts to use those dollars to focus on helping students catch up.

Over the next few years, schools in the Keystone State will have nearly $5 billion of federal aid from the American Rescue Plan to address disruptions to education caused by the pandemic. At least $1 billion is specifically targeted at intensifying support for students who need extra help to get back on track.

Rich Askey, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, said teachers need to have a seat at the table as districts decide how those federal dollars will be used.

“Educators are the experts,” Askey asserted. “And they know best what schools need to do to bridge those student learning gaps and to bolster their mental, social, and emotional well-being.”

He suggested those efforts should include summer learning and after-school programs as well as upgrading learning technology.

Askey pointed out after more than a year of relative isolation, individual students may be at very different places emotionally and may require extra help as classroom instruction returns to normal.

“We’re going to need more school counselors and school nurses, psychologists and social workers,” Askey contended. “Those positions that will support the students in the area of social and emotional health.”

He added focusing on mental health and emotional well-being is not only important for student health, it also helps boost academic performance.

Schools will need to upgrade ventilation systems to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases, and they still need supplies of personal protective equipment. And Askey emphasized funds are needed to make sure every student has access to the learning tools they need.

“Purchasing educational technology including Wi-Fi hotspots and hardware such as laptops or tablets, and providing access to high-quality training for the staff,” Askey outlined.

He noted school districts have a lot of flexibility in determining how to spend the American Rescue Plan funds, and have until Sep. 2024 to allocate the fundin

Department of Health: Over 9.6 Million Vaccinations to Date, 53.9% of Entire Population Received First Dose, 47.8% of Pennsylvanians Age 18 and Older Fully Vaccinated, PA Ranks 9^th Among 50 States for First Dose Vaccinations

2,210 New Cases, 1,605 Patients Hospitalized and 373 Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 15, that there were 2,210 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,185,132.

There are 1,605 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 373 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. More data is available here.

The trend in the 14-day moving average number of hospitalized patients per day is coming down, after peaking at 2,661 patients which is slightly below what it was at the height of the spring 2020 peak of 2,751 patients on May 3, 2020. The full 14-day moving average since the start of the pandemic can be found here.

Statewide percent positivity for the week of May 7 – May 13 stood at 5.3%.

The most accurate daily data is available on the website, with archived data also available.

As of 11:59 p.m., Friday, May 14, there were 25 new deaths identified by the Pennsylvania death registry, reported for a total of 26,749 deaths attributed to COVID-19. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

Updated Mitigation Guidance

The Department of Health today posted new guidance to help residents and businesses prepare for recently announced increases in limits for indoor and outdoor gatherings.

• FAQs for indoor and outdoor event capacity starting Monday, May 17.
• FAQs for the changes to the mitigation, enforcement, and immunity orders starting May 31.

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Pennsylvania hospitals began receiving shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine the week of Dec. 14 and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine the week of Dec. 21. The Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine was first allocated to Pennsylvania the week of March 1. On Friday, April 23, the CDC and FDA notified all COVID-19 vaccine providers that the pause in administering doses of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine has been lifted. Following the announcement, Pennsylvania resumed Janssen vaccinations. Vaccination numbers for Pennsylvania do not include Philadelphia, which is its own jurisdiction, or federal facilities, which are working directly with the federal government.

Vaccine highlights

Federal data representing all 67 counties:

• According to the CDC, as of Saturday morning, May 15, Pennsylvania has administered first doses of vaccine to 54 percent of its entire population, and the state ranks 9^th among all 50 states for first doses administered by percentage of population.
• According to the CDC, as of Saturday morning, May 15, 47.8% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
• According to the CDC, as of Saturday morning, May 15, Pennsylvania ranks 5^th among all 50 states for total doses administered.

 

Statewide data representing the 66 counties within the Department of Health’s vaccine jurisdiction:

• Vaccine providers have administered 9,620,057 total vaccine doses as of Saturday, May 15.
• 4,143,473 people are fully vaccinated, with a seven-day moving average of more than 63,632 people per day receiving vaccinations.
• 1,676,909 people are partially vaccinated, meaning they have received one dose of a two-dose vaccine.
• 5,820,382 people have received at least their first dose.
• This week, a total of 9,556,320 doses will have been allocated through May 15:
  • 320,320 first/single doses will have been allocated this week.
  • 297,520 second doses will have been allocated this week.
• To date, we have administered 9,534,664 doses total through May 15:
  • First/single doses:  5,781,561administered
  • Second doses:  3,753,103 administered

Fully vaccinated people are not required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors unless the business or organizations requires it, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There are 158,661 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 639 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.
There are 4,509,607 individuals who have tested negative to date.
In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there are 71,405 resident cases of COVID-19, and 15,104 cases among employees, for a total of 86,509 at 1,590 distinct facilities in all 67 counties. Out of total deaths reported to PA-NEDSS, 13,215 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here. Note that the number of deaths reported to NEDSS is not exactly the same as the COVID-19 related deaths reported by the death registry. The number of deaths among nursing and personal care home residents and employees is taken from the PA-NEDSS death data, as this information is not available in the death registry data.

Approximately 28,295 of our total cases are among health care workers.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, May 14:

• Businesses Continue to Maintain Option to Require Masks

 

The Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient to all Pennsylvanians:

•       All Pennsylvanians age 12 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.
•       A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
•       Vaccine provider map to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.

•       All of the locations that received vaccine and how much they have received can be found on the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution webpage.
•       Vaccine dashboard data can also be found on the website to find more information on the doses administered and showcase demographic information.
•       The Unite Against COVID Weekly Update is a round-up of news you can use and answers to your most pressing vaccine questions – delivered directly to your inbox every week.
•       Pennsylvanians can provide feedback on the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan by clicking on the Plan Feedback Form square under Popular Vaccine Topics here.
•       Frequently asked questions can be found here.

 

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

•       Get vaccinated with one of the three safe and effective vaccines available to provide the best layer of protection.
•       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. Fully vaccinated people are allowed to participate in some activities without a mask.
•       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”.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today reminded Pennsylvanians that fully vaccinated individuals may choose not to wear a mask, unless a business or organization, such as a school, requires that added layer of protection, in accordance with updated masking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

“By getting vaccinated with one of the three safe and effective vaccines, you are adding the best layer of protection for yourself and others,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “If you are fully vaccinated, it is an incentive to be able to remove your mask, but businesses and workplaces may still require this added layer of protection for their employees or customers that may have underlying conditions that continue to make them vulnerable to this virus. We ask that Pennsylvanians continue to be kind and respectful to each other as we continue to fight COVID-19 in our communities and continue to get residents vaccinated.”

The CDC guidance states that fully vaccinated individuals – two weeks after their final dose — can resume activities that they did prior to the pandemic without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by law, rule, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Under the guidance, individuals are still being required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs, such as airports and stations. In addition, all individuals should still follow guidance at workplaces, local businesses, long-term care facilities, hospitals, prisons, and homeless shelters.

The Secretary of Health’s universal face covering order remains in effect and unvaccinated individuals, including children, must still comply with the order. Once 70 percent of Pennsylvanians over the age of 18 are fully vaccinated, Pennsylvania will lift the masking order. As of today, May 14, 47.4 percent of adults 18 and older are fully vaccinated in Pennsylvania, according to the CDC vaccine tracker.

You can find the nearest vaccine provider with available vaccine using Vaccine Finder.

The Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient to all Pennsylvanians:

       All Pennsylvanians age 12 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.

       A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.

       Vaccine provider map to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.

       All of the locations that received vaccine and how much they have received can be found on the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution webpage.

       Vaccine dashboard data can also be found on the website to find more information on the doses administered and showcase demographic information.

       The Unite Against COVID Weekly Update is a round-up of news you can use and answers to your most pressing vaccine questions – delivered directly to your inbox every week.

       Pennsylvanians can provide feedback on the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan by clicking on the Plan Feedback Form square under Popular Vaccine Topics here.

       Frequently asked questions can be found here.

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

       Get vaccinated with one of the three safe and effective vaccines available to provide the best layer of protection.

       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.

       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”.

Washington, D.C. –The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) remind the traveling public that at this time if you travel, you are still required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.

CDC guidance is clear that fully vaccinated people are safe to travel and can resume travel.

Harrisburg, PA — The $145 million COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) launched by the Wolf administration is successfully providing pandemic financial relief to Pennsylvania’s restaurant and hospitality industry. Gov. Tom Wolf announced the program early this year after his administration secured a transfer of $145 million for grants to support the hospitality industry.

“These state-funded grants provide the critical relief that family-owned and local businesses across the state need to recover from the pandemic and build our economy stronger,” said Gov. Wolf. “Millions of dollars in immediate relief has gone to business owners to help them get back on their feet, hire employees and support local economies. If the grants are still available in your county; I urge you to apply.”

The state has worked with counties and economic development partners to quickly disburse millions to the hospitality industry with several already announcing at least $50 million in grants. Most recently awarding funding to restaurants, bars, and other businesses in various counties across the state including: $15 million to Allegheny County, $6.5 million in York County, $4.1 million to Lehigh County, $3.5 million to Northampton County, $3.4 million in Luzerne County, $3.3 million in Berks County, $3 million in Erie County, $3 million in Dauphin County, more than $2 million to Washington County, $1.8 million in Centre County, $1.2 million in Lycoming County, more than $1 million to Adams County, and nearly $900,000 to Clearfield County.

Following the creation of the program, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) acted quickly to disburse the $145 million in the form of block grants to all 67 counties based on population.

Counties administer the funding through one or more designated Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) or Community Economic Development Organization (CEDO), which began processing applications from businesses in each county on March 15. Funding must be provided to businesses by July 15, 2021.

For more information on the program, including eligibility requirements and application procedures visit COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) or reach out to one or more Certified Economic Development Organizations or Community Development Financial Institutions.

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Following the FDA’s emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds earlier this week, and the CDC’s final recommendation yesterday that the vaccine be used among this population, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) announced today that it will administer the Pfizer vaccine to anyone age 12 and older.

On Monday at Next Tier Connect (4350 Northern Pike), in addition to providing a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine to recipients who received a first dose on April 26^th, approximately 1,000 first doses will be offered to children age 12 and older as well as adults. First-dose appointments are now available for scheduling.

AHN will host several more large-scale Pfizer vaccine clinics across the region for eligible children and family members who have not yet been vaccinated. In addition to the clinic at Next Tier Connect on Monday, first doses of the vaccine will be provided at the following clinic locations from 3 – 7 p.m.:

Tuesday, May 18

DICK’S Sporting Goods’ Corporate Office (345 Court Street; Coraopolis, Pa.)

Thursday, May 20

RLA Learning and Conference Center (850 Cranberry Woods Dr; Cranberry Township, Pa.)

The network will also partner with several local schools to host onsite Pfizer clinics. The first took place today at Baldwin High School where approximately 100 students ages 16 to 18 received a fist dose of the vaccine. Students will receive their second dose on June 3.

AHN is also holding Pfizer clinics at many of its hospitals across Western Pennsylvania including Allegheny General, Allegheny Valley, Canonsburg, Forbes, Grove City, Saint Vincent and West Penn, as well as at the Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion. Many are held during after-school hours and on weekends.

To make an appointment to receive the vaccine at an upcoming AHN vaccine clinic, visit www.ahn.org/coronavirus/vaccine or call (412) DOCTORS.

Harrisburg, PA – Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam announced that the commonwealth’s mask order reflects the announcement made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier today.

On March 16, 2021, the SOH amended the commonwealth’s mask order by adding language directing to the CDC’s guidance for fully vaccinated people allow for no face coverings. That means that today’s CDC guidelines automatically go into effect in Pennsylvania. Masking requirement will still be in place for unvaccinated individuals until 70 percent of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.

“Today’s guidance from the CDC affects only people who are fully vaccinated” Acting Secretary Beam said. “This is another incentive to get the vaccine that is now easily and conveniently available. Once 70 percent of Pennsylvanians over 18 are fully vaccinated, we can completely lift the masking order.”

The CDC today provided guidance that fully vaccinated individuals can resume activities that they did prior to the pandemic without wearing a mask or physically distancing except where required by law, rule, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

For more information on the CDC guidance, visit here.

People can find vaccination locations near them using Vaccines.gov, also known as Vaccine Finder. Individuals also can text their zip code to GETVAX (438829) for English, or VACUNA (822862) for Spanish and receive three possible vaccination sites in their area.