Department of Health Confirms First Case with the COVID-19 Variant
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, in Pennsylvania. The confirmed case is in Dauphin County. This variant is the same one that was first discovered in England in December.

This individual tested positive after known international exposure. A case investigation and contact tracing were performed to identify, inform and monitor anyone who was in close contact with this individual. The individual had mild symptoms, which have since been resolved while they completed their isolation at home.

“Pennsylvania has been preparing for this variant by working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and has been sending 10-35 random samples biweekly to the CDC since November to study sequencing and detect any potential cases for this new COVID-19 variant,” Dr. Levine said. “Public health experts are in the early stages of working to better understand this new variant, how it spreads and how it affects people who are infected with it.

“There is still much to learn about this new variant, so we need to remain vigilant and continue to urge Pennsylvanians to stop the spread by washing their hands, practicing social distancing, avoiding gatherings, downloading COVID Alert PA and answering the call. Stay calm, stay alert and stay safe.”

The COVID-19 virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, mutates regularly as virus mutation is common. According to the CDC, this new variant was recognized in the United Kingdom in mid-December 2020. As public health experts continue to study this new variant, they expect that all currently available diagnostic tests will detect the variant as COVID-19 and that the COVID-19 vaccines with federal Emergency Use Authorizations will remain effective against this variant as well.

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

HARRISBURG – With reports of an increase in COVID-19 vaccine scams around the country, Attorney General Josh Shapiro is raising awareness and offering tips to Pennsylvanians regarding these scams as distribution of the vaccine ramps up in Pa.

“As the COVID-19 vaccine is administered to Pennsylvanians, we believe scammers will begin working overtime to take advantage of consumers and attempt to steal your personal information and your money,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “Pennsylvanians should remain on guard and report any scams to my office. We are here to help.”

Here are some COVID-19 scams the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General is alerting consumers to: 

COVID-19 Test and Vaccine Scams – As the vaccine rollout expands in Pennsylvania, scammers are looking to take advantage of consumers by attempting to steal their insurance information, money or both. Any call claiming that you can cut in line to get the vaccine by paying out of pocket is a scam and should be reported to our office. Below are some tips to avoid testing and vaccine scams:

• If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from your insurance company, hang up and call the number on the back of your medical insurance or prescription card to confirm whether the call is legitimate.
• Scammers will claim the costs are covered by insurance, but they need additional information to process the shipment.
• Be cautious if you’re being pressured to share any information or make a payment immediately.
• Always be wary of any unsolicited offers that require you to provide your insurance or doctor’s information.

Anyone who believes they may have been scammed should file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General by visiting https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint/scams-complaint/.

The Office of Attorney General is committed to protecting Pennsylvania consumers and we will investigate any such allegations and prosecute to fullest extent of the law.

Other information resources regarding COVID-19 scams:

• FCC website for available resources: https://www.fcc.gov/
• FCC website for COVID-19 scams: https://www.fcc.gov/covid-scams
• FTC website for Financial impact due to COVID: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/coronavirus/financial-impact

If I’ve already had the coronavirus, can I get it again?
By The Associated Press undefined
If you’ve already had the coronavirus, it’s possible you could get it again but such cases seem to be rare. Some reinfections have been confirmed, but two new studies suggest that would be very unusual for at least several months and maybe longer. In one study of people in the U.S., only 0.3% of people who had been infected tested positive for the virus over the next several months. A similarly low rate of reinfections was found in a study of health workers in the U.K. The findings bode well for current COVID-19 vaccines, which trigger the kind of immune responses that the studies found protective.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio Program Director/News Director Frank Sparks

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Early last week secretary of the United States Treasury Steven Mnuchin took to Twitter and told Americans that their stimulus money would be deposited into their accounts as soon as last Wednesday, December 30, 2020. Americans were disappointed when they checked their bank accounts and find out this was not the case. Even though Secretary Mnuchin looked like he was wrong in saying that the fact was that he was just a couple days off. For most Americans, the 600-dollar stimulus was either deposited to their banking accounts over the weekend or it was set to be deposited to their accounts today. Beaver County Radio’s Frank Sparks spoke with a couple local banks who said they received a letter from the United States Treasury stating that the funds would be available starting on January 4, 2021. If the IRS does not have your banking info to direct deposit the stimulus  money they  will send out a paper check this week.  To receive the stimulus you have to have filed your 2019 taxes with the IRS. Whether you are eligible or not is based on your 2019 taxes.  If you made under $75,000 as a single person or $174,00 as a couple you are eligible to receive the full amount of $600 for a single person or $1200 Per couple. You may also be eligible to receive an additional $600 for each dependent child. That $600 per child has a limit of two children. No one is to receive more than $2400 in stimulus money.

Bomb-sniffing dogs? Check. Times Square crowd? Not this year
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City police have turned to familiar tactics ahead of Thursday’s iconic ball drop, deploying bomb-sniffing dogs and sand-filled sanitation trucks to guard against explosions. But the department’s playbook this year includes an unusual mandate: preventing crowds from gathering in Times Square. Police began closing the Crossroads of the World to vehicles and pedestrians at midnight and said they would disperse onlookers venturing into the area closest to the ball that historically draws a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd. Revelers won’t even be permitted past police lines, and even guests at five hotels in the area have been told to stay inside.

Department of Health Launches COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard to Provide Updates on Distribution Process

Harrisburg, PA – Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine today announced the launch of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, now available on the department’s website. The dashboard includes information on the number of vaccinations administered by county, as well as demographic information about the people being vaccinated.

“Each day, more and more Pennsylvanians are getting vaccinated against COVID-19, which means we are another step closer to beating this virus,” Dr. Levine said. “The COVID-19 vaccine dashboard will help us visualize how many individuals have received the vaccine to date and help us work to vaccinate everyone who wishes to receive a vaccination.”

The data on the dashboard comes from vaccine providers who are reporting information relating to the individuals to whom they administer the COVID-19 vaccine. That information is reported into the Pennsylvania Statewide Immunization Information System (PA-SIIS).

Currently, 142 hospitals, health systems, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and pharmacies have received COVID-19 vaccine, with 58 locations expected to receive doses this week. Some of these facilities have previously received vaccine, and some are receiving vaccine for the first time. The department also announced this week that through the Federal Pharmacy Partnership (FPP), 126 Skilled Nursing Facilities across the commonwealth will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

The vaccine will be available in a phased approach. Due to the limited supply of vaccine, the first phase is expected to take several months. Initial administration of doses will align with the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). ACIP recommended that vaccine administration be prioritized to health care workers, residents and staff in long term care facilities.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a nationwide playbook that the department used to develop and still uses to update the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan.

More information about the COVID-19 vaccine can be found here.

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 

(File Photo)

Harrisburg, PA – The time-limited mitigation orders put in place on Dec. 12 have helped to begin flattening the curve of new cases following the post-Thanksgiving surge in Pennsylvania. As a result, today Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced that the time-limited orders as written will expire at 8 a.m., Jan. 4 as planned.

“Our mitigation efforts over the past several weeks are working, and I thank everyone who abided by the restrictions put in place to protect us,” Gov. Wolf said. “Every time we make a small decision to avoid risk – or take steps to make our actions a little bit less risky – we are helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. At this time, my intention is to allow the time-limited mitigation orders that went into effect on December 12 to expire as planned on January 4.

With the expiration of the time-limited orders, mitigation efforts will revert to mitigation orders in place on Dec. 11.

Mitigation efforts that will remain in effect on Jan. 4 include:

Business, work, school, child care and congregate settings

• Child care may open, complying with guidance
• Congregate care restrictions in place
• Prison and hospital restrictions determined by individual facilities
• Schools subject to CDC and commonwealth guidance.
• Telework must continue unless impossible
• Businesses with in-person operations must follow updated business and building safety requirements
• Masks are required in businesses
• All in-person businesses may operate at 75% occupancy, except where noted
• Self-certified restaurants may open at 50% capacity for indoor dining; Restaurants that have not self-certified are at 25% capacity for indoor dining,
• On-premises alcohol consumption prohibited unless part of a meal; cocktails-to-go and carryout beverages are allowed
• Serving alcohol for on-site consumption must end at 11 p.m., and all alcoholic beverages must be removed from patrons by midnight
• Personal care services (including hair salons and barbershops) open at 50% occupancy and by appointment only
• Indoor recreation and health facilities (such as gyms and spas) open at 50% occupancy with appointments strongly encouraged; fitness facilities directed to prioritize outdoor activities.
• All entertainment (such as casinos, theaters, and museums) open at 50% occupancy.
• Construction at full capacity with continued implementation of protocol.
• Hospitals are still being monitored to determine if elective procedure reductions should be ordered regionally.
• The out-of-state testing requirement is still in place.
• Local governments may still have more strict guidance in place.

Social Restrictions

• Gatherings limits determined using maximum occupancy calculator.
• Face coverings are required to be worn indoors and outdoors if you are away from your home.
• Unnecessary travel should be limited.

Gov. Wolf also noted that the new Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard launched today. The dashboard provides the number of vaccinations administered by county and demographic information about the people being vaccinated.

“The dashboard and the vaccinations it tracks are two more tools in our toolbox as we stand united against COVID-19,” Gov. Wolf said. “But the fight against this dangerous disease is not over yet. We must stay the course and continue to do everything in our power to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep our families and our communities safer.”

The data on the dashboard comes from vaccine providers that are reporting information relating to the individuals to whom they administer the COVID-19 vaccine. That information is reported into the Pennsylvania Statewide Immunization Information System (PA-SIIS).

Currently, 142 hospitals, health systems, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and pharmacies have received COVID-19 vaccine, with 56 facilities expected to receive doses this week. To date, more than 90,000 Pennsylvanians have been vaccinated. Some of these facilities have previously received vaccine, and some are receiving vaccine for the first time.

“The Federal Pharmacy Partnership (FPP) also launched this week with 126 Long-Term Care Facilities across the commonwealth scheduled to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, according to information provided by Operation Warp Speed.

Dr. Rachel Levine announced today that she has signed an order to ensure vaccine is available to health care providers not affiliated with a health system, federally qualified health center or pharmacy.

“Effective Jan. 6, the order I signed today requires vaccine providers, such as hospitals, federally qualified health centers and pharmacies to designate at least 10 percent of their vaccine shipments for non-affiliated health care providers to ensure there is supply available,” Dr. Levine said. “It also requires vaccine providers to set up a point of contact for these non-affiliated providers to register for vaccination appointments.,

“Many vaccine providers have already voluntarily begun vaccinating these providers and for that we are grateful. Today’s order formalizes this process and eliminates any confusion between vaccine providers and those health care personnel in Phase 1A.”

Both Dr. Levine and Gov. Wolf focused on the future, emphasizing that we must remain united against COVID.

“We can all have hope that next year will have a brighter ending than this year,” Gov. Wolf said. “And that hope should energize us to keep our guard up and continue the fight against COVID-19 in the months ahead. By working together, we can keep one another safe while we wait for the vaccine.”

Senate GOP blocks swift vote on Trump’s $2K checks
By LISA MASCARO and JILL COLVIN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has blocked Democrats’ push to immediately bring President Donald Trump’s demand for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks up for a vote. The GOP leader said the Senate would “begin a process” to address the issue. But the next steps are highly uncertain. Trump has been pushing to more than triple the $600 payments approved by Congress. The House approved the larger checks, but the issue divides Republicans. On Tuesday, two Georgia Republican senators, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, said they support Trump’s plan. They are in the fights of their political lives in runoff elections Jan. 5 that will determine which party controls the Senate.

The PUA and PEUC programs, which expired last week, received extensions under the new legislation. PUA assists workers who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 who are not eligible for other unemployment compensation programs. PEUC provides additional weeks of benefits to workers who have exhausted their Unemployment Compensation benefits. Together, these programs provided payments to more than half a million Pennsylvanians.

An additional program, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), will provide eligible claimants with $300 per week on top of the weekly benefit amount he or she receives from certain other unemployment programs. FPUC previously provided $600 per week additional payments until the program ended in July.

While L&I has already begun reviewing the legislation and working with its unemployment system vendor to make programmatic changes to accommodate the extensions, L&I must receive guidance and approval from the U.S. Department of Labor (US DOL) before it can resume issuing payments through PUA, PEUC and FPUC.

Several weeks may pass before US DOL issues all the guidance needed for payments to resume for the CARES Act programs. Pennsylvanians are encouraged to seek other forms of assistance during the interim.

“We know Pennsylvania workers are relying on these programs to pay for essential needs so we are doing everything we can to begin resuming payments as quickly as we can after we receive more information from US DOL,” added Berrier. “We strongly encourage these Pennsylvanians to apply for other forms of benefits that can help them while we wait on the federal government to provide us with the guidance and permission we need to begin implementing the extensions.”

L&I encourages PUA and PEUC claimants to review the following resources for eligibility and apply immediately if they qualify:

• ​Health insurance through Pennie
• Lifeline (telecommunications and broadband access)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Medicaid/Medical Assistance
• Meals for Senior Citizens/Meals on Wheels
• PA Food Banks and Pantries
• SNAP Benefits/Food Stamps
• Additional program information is available at PA COMPASS

PUA and PEUC claimants are also encouraged to use the United Way of Pennsylvania’s 211 program to identify local resources, including food banks, housing assistance, and utility help. Claimants can review available programs in their ZIP code by visiting pa211.org, by texting their ZIP code to 898-211, or by calling 211 any time.

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

Trump signs massive measure funding government, COVID relief
By JILL COLVIN, LISA MASCARO and ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed a $900 billion pandemic relief package that will deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals. Trump announced the signing in a statement Sunday night. The massive bill includes $1.4 trillion to fund government agencies through September and contains other end-of-session priorities such as money for cash-starved transit systems and an increase in food stamp benefits. Democrats are promising more aid to come once President-elect Joe Biden takes office, but Republicans are signaling a wait-and-see approach.