Monthly archive

March 2020

Pa. coronavirus deaths projected to peak on April 16: IHME

Published on in Health/Pennsylvania

If social distancing measures are maintained for the next four months, how many Pennsylvanians will die from coronavirus? Will there be enough hospital beds to go around?

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington developed a statistical model to project COVID-19 deaths and hospital utilization over the next four months.

The good news? Pennsylvania should have enough hospital and intensive care unit beds available if things go according to the IHME’s projection.

Pennsylvania’s need for hospital beds is projected to peak on April 15, 2020, at a total of 6,182 hospital beds and 949 intensive care beds. The state has 14,395 hospital beds and 1,043 intensive care beds available, according to the IHME data.

Continue Reading on North Central PA

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Central Pennsylvania counties seeing significant population growth

Published on in People

Counties in central Pennsylvania have been growing in population in the past decade, according to the Pennsylvania State Data Center.

Cumberland and Lebanon counties rank at the top in the state as the fastest-growing counties, the data shows. Cumberland is No. 1 with a 7.6% increase. Lebanon is close behind with 6.1%.

Meanwhile, some counties in the northern and western part of the state, such as Cameron, Cambria and Venango, saw the most significant decreases percentage-wise.

The numbers compared 2010 data to 2019 estimates

Continue Reading on Herald Mail Media

Syringe exchanges deemed ‘life-sustaining’ during Pa. coronavirus shutdown, raising hopes for eventual legalization

Published on in Health

HARRISBURG — After working with people with substance use disorder for nearly a decade, it’s second nature for Clayton Ruley to remind them not to share syringes for injecting drugs. But over the past three weeks, he’s had to add a new refrain:

“Don’t share pipes or cigarettes or anything that touches your mouth,” he explains. “The droplets of saliva could spread coronavirus.”

That’s new information for a lot of people, said Ruley, the director of community engagement and volunteer services at Prevention Point Philadelphia, which offers harm reduction services like sterile syringe exchange and overdose prevention kits. Many people in active addiction haven’t received information about the coronavirus or how to stay safe, Ruley said.

Continue Reading on The Philadelphia Inquirer

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UPMC makes food bank donation in honor of National Doctors’ Day

Published on in People

Williamsport — In celebration of National Doctors’ Day, held annually on March 30, Susquehanna region’s UPMC branch made a $5,000 donation to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. The funds will be used for the food bank’s Health Innovations Program, which connects its emergency food network and those who use it to members of the medical community to promote health, wellness, and nutrition education.

“The closure of schools and many businesses has created an even greater need to help nourish our community,” said Don Owrey, Chief Operating Officer for UPMC in the Susquehanna region. “Now more than ever, we want to supply vital services to keep people as healthy as possible and to ensure no one goes hungry in these unprecedented times.”

In a letter to providers, Owrey thanked the organizations’ medical professionals for their dedication and commitment to meeting the diverse health care needs of their communities.

Continue Reading on North Central PA

Companies looking to hire in Central PA amid coronavirus crisis

Published on in Business/People

(WTAJ) — As the coronavirus continues to spread across the nation leaving many without work, some businesses are looking to hire more employees due to an increase in demand.

WTAJ compiled a list of employers across our region who are looking to hire during this pandemic.

CVS

CVS Health said it is looking to immediately fill 50,000 full-time, part-time and temporary roles all across the country. It called the hiring drive the “most ambitious” in the company’s history.

Roles include the following: store associates, home delivery drivers, distribution center employees and member/customer service professionals.

Continue Reading on We are Central PA

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560 new positive COVID-19 cases brings PA total to over 1,600 with death total now at 16

Published on in Health

 

Harrisburg, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced the largest one-day spike in new positive coronavirus cases in the state on Thursday with 560 new cases, bringing the statewide total number of cases to 1,687.

The Department of Health also announced five new virus-related deaths, bringing Pennsylvania’s death toll to 16.

Below are the number of coronavirus cases in Central Pennsylvania counties:

  • Adams (7)
  • Cumberland (15)
  • Dauphin (13)
  • Franklin (5)
  • Lancaster (21)
  • Lebanon (4)
  • York (21)

Health officials say all those who have tested positive for the virus are either in isolation at home or being treated at a hospital.

Statewide, there are 16, 441 patients who have tested negative for COVID-19. The 1,687 positive cases of COVID-19 in PA are reported from commercial, hospital and state labs.

Continue Reading on Local 21

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What the stimulus bill means to small Central Pa. businesses

Published on in Business

On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed a historic rescue package that would allow many small businesses across Central Pennsylvania to apply for emergency loans in an effort to give them some financial security during these uncertain times.

The total rescue package include a $367 billion dollar program for small businesses.

Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, says this relief is meant to stabilize businesses directly, adding that people can get them through community banks instead of the Small Business Administration.

Continue Reading on Local 21 News

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Central Pennsylvania native helps lead the nation’s fight against COVID-19

Published on in Government/Health

DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Hershey School of Medicine graduate is helping to lead the charge in the nation’s effort to fight the coronavirus.

Ambassador Dr. Deborah Birx, from central Pennsylvania, was appointed to the Office of the Vice President as the Coronavirus Response Coordinator.

Her career as an infectious disease physician started in Hershey.

“We came to Hershey the same year together, in 1976,” said Dr. Robert Aber, infectious disease physician for Penn State Medical.

Continue Reading on Local 21

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PA hospitals ask state for emergency fund

Published on in Health/People

 

Pennsylvania hospitals anticipate a surge in COVID-19 patients and are turning to the state government to provide emergency funding as quickly as it can.

It might prevent hospitals from shutting down, said Andy Carter, president and CEO, Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP).

“There is a legitimate credible threat that some hospitals without financial support from either the federal government or the state government will close,” Carter said during a media call Tuesday. HAP is a membership organization that advocates for hospitals and health systems.

Continue Reading on Daily Item

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People across Central Pennsylvania dedicate time to make homemade face masks for first responder, healthcare workers

Published on in Uncategorized

 

YORK COUNTY, Pa. — As medical grade face masks are in short supply around the country, some people in our area are making homemade masks to prepare for a potential shortage.

People from across Central Pennsylvania are coming together to make homemade masks for healthcare and food service workers, along with people who are immunocompromised.

“We totally understand that these are not meant to compare with N95 in any capacity,” said Samantha Highlands, Sewing for Society Founder. “But we have some nurses who are being told to bring bandana’s to work now which I find wildly unacceptable.”

Continue Reading on FOX 43

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The GIANT company donates $250,000 for hunger relief

Published on in Business/People

Addressing the issue of hunger has become more urgent as families face being out of work and kids are home all day.

The GIANT Company has pledged a $250,000 donation to four hunger relief organizations: The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Meals on Wheels Pennsylvania, Philabundance, and the Maryland Food Bank. These four organizations bring hope to people in over 30 counties in the two states that they serve while they work through extraordinary circumstances to supply food to pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters.

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Central PA Food Bank donates food to Harrisburg University students

Published on in School

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Monday, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank donated boxes of food for the more than 120 Harrisburg University students who remain on campus and unable to travel home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Harrisburg University’s Student Life Director, Nayeem Islam, says this donation could not have come at a better time.

“This is very helpful for them,” Islam said. “They don’t have to leave, can self-isolate and stay safe while taking online classes, and most importantly they’re fed… it’s just one less thing to worry about.”

Continue Reading on Local 21

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Harrisburg School District alters ‘Grab and Go’ lunch distribution schedule, locations

Published on in People/School

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Harrisburg School District announced alterations to its food distribution schedule and locations.

Beginning this week, “Grab and Go” breakfast and lunch meals will be distributed on Tuesday, March 24th and Friday, March 27th from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Family food boxes donated by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank are available on a first come, first served basis from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Tuesday, March 24th and Friday, March 27th.

Continue Reading on Fox 43

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Central Pennsylvania Food Bank donating food to college students

Published on in Uncategorized

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank will be donating a large shipment of food for the 150 students at Harrisburg University that are still living in dorms.

Harrisburg University student services team, members of the eSports team and staff will help load the food into the student union building in the Whitaker Center.

The team will then put together food boxes for the students who have chosen to remain in their dorms as they continue to take classes online.

Continue Reading on ABC 27

Spotless cleaners donate sanitation services to parks, schools during COVID-19 pandemic

Published on in Health/People

Springtime is the busiest season for Ryan Shannon and his Central Pennsylvania mobile pressure washing business.

But in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, he’s decided to donate his services to sanitize local parks and schools in his hometown.

“I have a young daughter at home, myself, and I just wanted to do something that would bring some sort of positivity to the community,” he said. “It’s a challenging time we’re in right now.”

Continue Reading on Public Opinion Online

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Will central Pa. high school proms be rescheduled because of coronavirus?

Published on in Health/People

This might be the year that high school seniors miss out on some of the things that make senior year special.

On March 13 as the coronavirus pandemic gained steam, Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all K-12 schools in Pennsylvania to close for 10 days effective Monday, March 16.

While learning can continue in some cases with virtual classrooms, extracurriculars took a blow. Sports and musicals were among the first casualties along with standardized PSSA and Keystone exams.

Will the next be prom?

Continue Reading on Pennlive

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Supporting art in Central Pennsylvania

Published on in Pennsylvania/People

Richard Rinehart had just accepted a new job and arrived in Lewisburg the Friday night before the 2011 Celebration of the Arts. Downtown he saw volunteers setting up booths and banners.

“I was just so impressed at how alive it came with art,” said Rinehart, director of the Samek Art Museum at Bucknell University, in Lewisburg. “It most certainly influenced my commitment and my pleasure at having taken the job.”

Rinehart later heard the Festival drew about 5,000 people. The population of Lewisburg was 5,792 at the 2010 census.

“As far as I knew there was no other art show in the country that almost doubles the population of the town,” he said. “It really impressed me.”

That’s just one of the stories Lewisburg Arts Council members like to mention when noting how their promotion of art has benefitted the community.

Continue Reading on Daily Item

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Central Pennsylvania Food Bank seeks volunteers to handle increased demand due to coronavirus

Published on in People

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is looking for volunteers to carry out increased demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Many people are out of work because their employers closed or cut shifts, and children are home from school and not getting meals there.

The food bank supplies food pantries across the Susquehanna Valley but is finding it hard to stay staffed.

Many of the food bank’s regular volunteers are older and they are choosing to remain home. Also, companies that schedule days of service have canceled.

Volunteers who are able to help at the food bank are being put in groups of 10 or fewer, per guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Continue Reading on WGAL

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96 cases of Coronavirus in Pennsylvania

Published on in Health/People

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – The Department of Health announced on Tuesday there are 20 new additional positive cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania.

It brings the statewide total to 96.​ Five of the new cases are in Cumberland County, which now has ten cases.​

Total numbers of tests that have been performed are not available, due to the number of people who are relying on commercial labs. However, 879 patients have tested negative for the virus.​

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry has announced that workers in Pennsylvania impacted by the coronavirus may be eligible for workers’ compensation or unemployment benefits.​

Continue Reading on ABC 27

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Food available to children in Central Pennsylvania

Published on in People

LOYALSOCK TOWNSHIP, LYCOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) – Schools across the Commonwealth are shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. It has left some parents asking, how will my kids eat during the day?

At the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, the organization is doing its part to make sure that mouths are fed during the pandemic.

Members want to stress to the community that the charitable food network is still operational and families should still seek help from them if needed.

Continue Reading on PA homepage

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