Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

July 16, 2020 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Weekend!

Or not, I guess, for those of you who had been going out to bars and restaurants (and of course those hard-working hospitality employees and owners).

Be sure to scroll down for our lists on where to get all the goods you need to go — and for pete’s sake, put on your darned mask (over the nose, too).

We’re beach-bound (safely – private beach, private house, cooking or takeout every night).

Housekeeping note: There will not be a Weekend Roundup next Thursday. I’m going to actually take “off.” This rarely happens (I don’t even think I missed during “maternity leave”), so apologies but sayonara. We will be sharing events on the Facebook page, so be sure to give that a follow!

Hiya, Are you on the email list? In addition to getting this weekly update directly in your inbox, I load it with a bunch of other fresh, original content. Sign-up here. I also recommend following me on IG.

Processed with VSCO with kp3 preset

Weekend Recs

Build your own cheese board by visiting R.G. Hummer’s in the Broad Street Market (maybe grab some burgers or dogs for Sunday, too)
Grab some craft beer — we recommend new releases from Appalachian Brewing Co. or Tattered Flag, or finding your favorites at Boneshire Brew Works. Bonus tip: Hemauer Brewing is delivering again!
Order some great takeout, maybe a BBQ feast for the backyard from MoMo’s
Binge-watch the first seven episodes of Poured in PA: The Series free on YouTube!
Or, Check out Midtown Cinema’s full list of on-demand films!
Browse some new gems at Meeka Fine Jewelry.
Shop Little Black Dress’s summer sale – online.
Maybe it’s time for a contactless debit card?

This list was compiled ahead of Gov. Wolf’s most recent mandates. As always, please click through the links or call ahead to get the most up-to-date information about the venue and/or event below.

Resources for to-go/delivery

Need wine? Click here.
Need booze? Click here.
Need beer? Click here.
Need cocktails? Kits + premade options here.
Brunch? For serious. Click here.
Wait, what about coffee, kombucha, tea, juice? Got you!
Find Carry-Out options here

Gov. Wolf cracks down on bars, reduces restaurant capacity as he reimposes pandemic restrictions

July 15, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

PA Gov. Tom Wolf during today’s press conference

Gov. Tom Wolf today announced significant new restrictions to the commonwealth’s re-opening plan for businesses, rules that primarily affect bars and restaurants.

In a press conference, Wolf said that, under the new restrictions, all bars that do not offer sit-down dining would have to close until further notice, effective Thursday.

In addition, restaurants would be reduced from 50% to 25% of capacity for indoor, sit-down dining.

Wolf said that these modifications were necessary because COVID-19 cases, which had been declining, were on the rise again.

“In the last two weeks, we have seen an unsettling climb in new COVID-19 cases throughout Pennsylvania,” Wolf said. “During the past week has been especially bad.”

Wolf said that Pennsylvania had successfully “flattened the curve” of new cases, getting down to 300 to 400 new daily diagnoses in June. However, the curve has resumed an upward trajectory over the past two weeks, he said.

Today, the state Department of Health reported 994 newly diagnosed positives, the greatest number of new cases in well over a month. Much of the increase has occurred from additional cases in Allegheny County, which has seen its cases surge.

Wolf identified three catalysts for the case increase:

Some Pennsylvanians have ignored mask-wearing and social distancing in bars and restaurants
Out-of-state travel
A lack of national coordination

“Together, these three catalysts have turned our downward trend into an alarming escalation, and we’re already at a tipping point where we have to act,” said. “We don’t want to become Florida. We don’t want to become Texas. We don’t want to become Arizona. We have to act now.”

Wolf emphasized that it’s difficult to restrain cases in Pennsylvania when case numbers are escalating dramatically in other states, especially in the southeast and southwest United States.

“Other states have become petri dishes for COVID-19 during the same time when we were working hard here in Pennsylvania to suppress the spread,” he said. “This virus knows no boundaries, no borders, so it’s been spreading northward and eastward across the country.”

Wolf said that health specialists have learned a lot about the coronavirus since it first appeared in Pennsylvania in March, including that it spreads most effectively in crowded, indoor environments.

Therefore, his executive directive is aimed specifically at places where people gather indoors, he said.

Bars are most affected by the order. Under the new rules:

All bars are prohibited from conducting operations unless they offer sit-down, dine-in meals.
Alcohol only can be served for on-premises consumption when in the same transaction as a meal.
All service must be at a table or booth; bar service is prohibited.

In addition, restaurants are limited to 25% of maximum occupancy for indoor dining, as are special events. Takeout sales of alcohol are permitted.

Wolf said that gyms, salons and other businesses can remain open following current rules that limit capacity and require masks. Also, he encouraged outdoor events, including outdoor dining.

“I want people to spend time together, but I want them to do so while they’re practicing social distancing, while they’re wearing masks where required, “ he said. “Every minute that passes is one minute closer to the end of this pandemic. That’s what we’re trying to achieve.”

Harrisburg plans public meeting following road changes to 6th Street

July 15, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

A part of N. 6th Street in Midtown Harrisburg has a new look, including bus/bike lanes and parking spaces.

Harrisburg recently made significant changes to a portion of the 6^th Street corridor, road modifications that the city plans to address during a community meeting on Saturday.

City representatives will be on hand at the Broad Street Market courtyard to discuss the changes and why they were made.

“Basically, we want to improve the safety along that corridor,” said city Engineer Wayne Martin, adding that the changes align with the city’s Vision Zero plan, which aims to eliminate pedestrian fatalities within the city.

Recently, the city eliminated two car travel lanes on N. 6^th Street between Boas and Reily streets, turning the longstanding four-lane road into a two-lane road. It then added bicycle/bus lanes on both sides of the street, as well as new parking spaces.

Martin said the changes were primarily meant to improve safety for students and parents at Benjamin Franklin School at the corner of N. 6^th and Verbeke streets. The changes, he said, will make it safer to cross the street and for parents to drop off children for school.

“It’s mostly for traffic-calming,” he said. “It’s meant for speed reduction in front of the school.”

In addition, the new bicycle lanes align with the city’s effort to create a network of interconnecting bike lanes, he said.

The city also had to add the parking spaces because it will lose metered spaces along with planned improvements to N. 7^th Street, Martin said. The city must maintain a certain number of revenue-generating, metered spaces under its agreement with parking system operator, Trimont, and manager, SP+/Park Harrisburg.

He said that he expected the meters to be installed within the next month along the corridor.

In another city road update, Martin said that he expected some limited work to begin on N. 2^nd Street in the fall.

The city plans to redesign N. 2^nd Street between Forster and Division streets, converting it back to two-way traffic, among other changes. Some intersection improvements are slated to begin before year-end, though the major work will start in early 2021, he said.

Harrisburg will hold its public meeting to discuss the “Vision Zero” changes to the N. 6^th Street corridor on Saturday, 3 to 5 p.m., in the courtyard of the Broad Street Market.

Reservoir Park greenhouse receives grant, revitalization project continues

July 14, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

The Reservoir Park greenhouse, located off Whitehall Street in Harrisburg.

Momentum for a sustainability project is growing in the city—literally growing.

Harrisburg’s Reservoir Park greenhouse is on its way to restoration having received a $25,000 “Better Food, Better Access, Better Together” grant from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

“We have been working with a large coalition to restore the Reservoir Park greenhouse for several years now and are encouraged by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s gift,” said Harrisburg Parks Foundation Secretary Zac Monnier.

The 1,500-square-foot greenhouse was built in 1929 and is part of a garden located off of Whitehall Street on the southwest side of Reservoir Park. Unused for 20 years, the greenhouse has been experiencing revitalization from the Parks Foundation and the Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

“Many of us have been working for years to bring the greenhouse and garden back to life, with the city’s and the community’s support,” said Rafiyqa Muhammad, a member of the City’s Environmental Advisory Council and the owner of Sustainable Human Environment, who has been a member of the greenhouse renovation working group since its inception. “With this grant, and the others we hope will follow, we will be able to create a space for everyone, one that is handicap accessible and designed to reconnect our children with one of the most fundamental and empowering things of all–our ability to grow healthy food and nurture healthy bodies and minds.”

According to the city’s Sustainability Manager Christopher Nafe, the goal of the greenhouse is to provide an educational experience for visitors to learn about urban farming, gardening at home and healthy and affordable cooking and eating.

Nafe also recognizes that parts of Harrisburg are classified as food deserts and believes that the greenhouse can help provide options for residents, especially in Allison Hill.

“We are hoping to try to fill that void and act as a community resource,” he said.

The food bank hopes, with the help of this grant, that the greenhouse will inspire youth to grow their own healthy food and even encourage them to consider agricultural careers.

“This is us working with our community to end hunger in Harrisburg,” Executive Director Joe Arthur said.

This isn’t the first time funds have been donated to the greenhouse. The Whitt Family Foundation awarded the greenhouse a $25,000 grant and the Rotary Club of Harrisburg has donated $5,000.

The group working to restore the greenhouse includes the Homegrown Harrisburg Community Gardens Network, Tri-County Community Action, Messiah University Center for Sustainability, Harrisburg Young Professionals of Color, Sustainable Human Environment, LLC, and Harrisburg Urban Growers.

“We are hoping to have the greenhouse operate as a hub connecting all of these organizations,” Nafe said.

The team also hopes to restore the grounds surrounding the greenhouse and possibly renovate the Brownstone Building, which the greenhouse sits behind, for use as a food demonstration kitchen, according to Nafe. The total project is projected to cost around $245,000.

The working group was formed in 2018 and hopes to have the greenhouse functioning by next spring or summer. They are currently in the planning phase.

For more information on the Reservoir Park greenhouse, visit https://harrisburgpa.gov/reservoir-park-greenhouse-receives-25000-grant-from-central-pa-food-bank/.

Harrisburg area home sales down, prices up, for second month in a row

July 14, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

A house for sale in Midtown Harrisburg

For a second straight month, residential housing sales fell but prices increased in the greater Harrisburg area.

In June, 505 homes changed hands compared to 849 in the year-ago period, though the median price rose to $199,900 from $190,075, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 244 residential units sold versus 423 in June 2019, while the median price increased by $5,000 to $181,000, GHAR said, in its latest housing report.

Cumberland County had 236 home sales in June, a decrease from 384 in the year-ago period as the median price rose to $225,600 from $212,900, GHAR said. In Perry County, 25 houses sold, 17 fewer than in June 2019, but the median price increased to $174,900 from $169,500.

The average “days on market” for June rose slightly to 46 from 41 a year ago, GHAR said.

June’s housing data is similar to the data from May, when residential sales also fell but prices increased.

Boneshire to tap into city market with tasting room in downtown Harrisburg

July 13, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

This storefront on S. 3rd Street will become a new Boneshire Brew Works tasting room.

Another craft brewer has its eyes set on Harrisburg, as Boneshire Brew Works is planning an expansion into the downtown.

On Monday, Harristown Enterprises announced that Boneshire would open a tasting room in the SoMa neighborhood on S. 3^rd Street in space that had been the location of Sip@SoMa.

“We are a small brewery that focuses on providing an opportunity for community gathering, and we think Boneshire and SoMa are a perfect fit,” said Alan Miller, majority owner of Boneshire, which is based in Swatara Township.

In early 2019, Harristown opened the snug, 25-seat Sip@SoMa in a first-floor storefront as an interim measure until it could attract a brewery to the location. Since then, breweries from around PA have used the 12-tap system to serve their beer on a visiting, rotating basis, often in conjunction with 3^rd in the Burg, though the COVID-19 pandemic has put a halt to that undertaking.

According to Harristown, Boneshire expects to open its SoMa tasting room in spring 2021. It also will continue operating from its main location on Derry Street outside of Hummelstown.

“Having a dynamic, local craft brewer like Boneshire take over the space is exactly what we’re looking for in the neighborhood,” said Brad Jones, Harristown’s president and CEO.

Over the past few years, Sara Bozich, along with Harristown, has organized block parties directly in front of or near the location, with Boneshire often serving its beer there.

“We love the feel and vibe of the SoMa area in Harrisburg, and we have been involved in the SoMa block party since day one and are excited to have a permanent place in the neighborhood,” Miller said.

Boneshire Brew Works is located at 7462 Derry St., Harrisburg (Swatara Township), with its future tasting room at 13 S. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information about Boneshire, visit their website.

Brew Barons Beer Trail launched by Visit Hershey & Harrisburg

July 13, 2020 | by Karen Hendricks

Breweries in the ‘Burg offer an experience.

That’s the premise behind the Brew Barons Beer Trail, launched today by Dauphin County’s tourism bureau, Visit Hershey & Harrisburg (VHH).

“It’s very exciting because it’s the first experience we have actually taken ownership of—we built it and developed the partners,” said Mary Smith, President and CEO for VHH. “During these unprecedented times, people are still looking for experiences, and the beauty of this is, people can do this whenever and however they want—there’s no expiration date.”

The trail links about 20 craft breweries throughout Dauphin County via a cutting-edge mobile app, “Brew Barons.” Partner breweries are all listed, with their hours and locations, and trail-hoppers “check in” utilizing the app’s GPS capabilities to earn three tiers of prizes including a stainless steel growler with the Beer Barons logo.

There’s an App for That

Digitizing the trail provides the best experience for beer aficionados, with plenty of the fun factor, according to VHH’s Jason Meckes. And he should know—his title is “experience development director.” He was hired last September specifically to create marketable Dauphin County experiences designed to attract residents and visitors alike. He previously served as executive director of the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society. The Brew Barons Beer Trail is his first project for VHH.

“We see the app as something people will download and use as a source for what’s happening with all the cool breweries in our region,” Meckes said. “For example, people can ‘favorite’ their favorite breweries and events, and they can receive messages telling them when a new brewery opens, a new release comes out, and much more—the app is designed to be intuitive and experiential.”

There’s growth potential, for both the app and the trail.

“One of the most exciting things about this is—we built this because there are so many breweries in the region, but there are many more set to pop up in the next few months,” said Smith.

Tall Tales, Tall Ales

So what exactly is a “brew baron?”

It ties into a tall tale, but it probably goes down pretty smoothly when you’re drinking a tall glass of amber ale. Basically, each and every brewer is a modern day “brew baron,” harkening back to Prohibition when the Harrisburg area’s underground brewers may or may not have actually been called “barons.” Trail-goers who earn top prizes also earn the title of “Brew Baron.”

“We knew it was important to give the entire trail a brand of its own,” Meckes said.

Area restaurants are also featured on the app—the GPS-based platform makes it easy for visitors to find the nearest eateries, as well as attractions and hotel partners.

What about the timing of the trail, being announced mid-pandemic? The COVID-19 outbreak delayed VHH’s trail launch by more than two months, but with Dauphin County now in the green phase, officials feel the timing is right.

“So much of what our organization is focused on is reopening,” said Sue Kunisky, VHH vice president of operations. “I think the beer trail is the best thing for us to have teed up because so many of the breweries are small businesses, and they’re going to be one of the most nimble types of businesses to reopen.”

VHH recently unveiled their “Safe Together Pledge,” a campaign encouraging business owners and consumers to follow all state and federal safety guidelines designed to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Hopping on Board

Participating breweries range from Harrisburg’s Zeroday Brewing Co., including its Outpost at the Broad Street Market, to Middletown’s Tattered Flag Brewery and Still Works, brewery icon Tröegs Independent Brewing of Hershey, along with up-and-comers like Marysville’s Liquid Noise Brewing Co. There’s no more than five miles between check-in locations.

“People want to see brewing happening on-site—it gives validity,” said Shawn Wirick, Liquid Noise co-owner. “When people find beer or food not made anywhere else—that’s the kind of stuff beer tourists travel for.”

Area breweries were quick to hop on board the Beer Barons Beer Trail.

“I’m so glad they did it,” said Kristin Messner-Baker, co-owner at Harrisburg’s The Vegetable Hunter, which includes a boutique brewery. “In our experience being on the Cumberland Valley Beer Trail, it really brings people in, and it’s really exciting how it supports lots of different businesses, because you send people on to other destinations. And it’s so cool that they’re doing this all digital—that’s so forward-thinking.”

Three years ago, Baker added the brewery to her café, which she owns and operates with her husband, John. They say the Harrisburg region is on the cusp of becoming a major beer destination.

“The breweries here are top-notch—you have the nationwide leader, Tröegs, down to us—the smallest brewery in Harrisburg,” John said. “Our hope for the trail is that it helps people enjoy some great beer and get some sort of normalcy back.”

R&D Leads to R&R

Connecting the dots and establishing the beer trail is one thing. But there’s an economic engine driving the project. Months of intense research and development led VHH officials to the starting line.

“We interviewed 60 different beer entities—different visitor bureaus from Fort Worth, Texas, to Asheville, North Carolina, locally from the Cumberland Valley Beer Trail to Pittsburgh, so that we were not needlessly reinventing the wheel—we wanted to see what worked,” said Meckes.

And the data supported their ideas. According to the Brewers Association, Pennsylvania craft breweries rank second in the nation with an economic impact of more than $6.3 million. The state’s breweries rank second in production, brewing more than 3.6 million barrels in 2019. Nationwide, 55 million adults visited craft breweries while traveling in 2019. And beer tourists typically travel in a party of four, stay for at least one overnight, and spend an average of $252.38 per person per trip. The Cumberland Valley Beer Trail had a $1.3 million economic impact in 2018.

“We realize the visitation stats from visitors outside the region will not be here during the first year—it’s really going to draw locals first,” Kunisky said. “But over time, the beer trail will act as a seasonal destination, all 12 months, with a ripple effect on our hotels, restaurants, to level off the peaks and valleys in our visitations.”

After months of planning, and a delayed announcement, Meckes said today’s launch is especially cause for celebration.

“As a beer fan myself, this project has been a special connection between my job and hobby… I’ll probably have a beer to celebrate.”

For more information, see brewbarons.com, and search for the app “Brew Barons.”

Participating breweries include:

Al’s of Hampden/Pizza Boy Brewing Co.
Boneshire Brew Works
Ever Grain Brewing Co.
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Lancaster Brewing Company – Harrisburg
Liquid Noise Brewing Co.
Mellow Mink Brewing Co.
Mount Gretna Craft Brewery & Red Canoe Store
Official BBQ/Pizza Boy Brewing Co.
Rotunda Brew Pub
Rubber Soul Brewing Co. (coming soon)
Spring Gate Brewery
Tattered Flag Brewery and Still Works
Tattered Flag Distillery and Lounge
The Brewery at Hershey
The Millworks Brewery
The Vegetable Hunter Brewery
The Watershed Pub (coming soon)
Troegs Independent Brewing
Zeroday Brewing Co. (reopening soon)
Zeroday Outpost at Broad Street Market

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

July 10, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

LeRon McCoy and Ryan Sanders, developers behind the Jackson Square project on N. 6th Street.

Making Harrisburg a better place to live was a common thread running through the news this week. Residents spoke up for change, the city introduced new initiatives, and some people took on important projects themselves. In case you missed any of our coverage, we have it all listed and linked below.

African American developers in Harrisburg are highlighted in our magazine article. Find out what inspires these men to give back to their community through revitalization projects.

Bob took a trip to Paxtang this past weekend and has all the must-see spots for art lovers. Read about the quirky Tiger Eye Coffee Co. and the beach-inspired gallery in his online art blog.

At the Broad Street Market, Gov. Tom Wolf announced a new grant program for food providers struggling from the COVID crisis. The initiative is meant to help small farmers markets, corner stores and other shops provide fresh food to low and moderate-income areas across the state. Check out our story here.

Choose Harrisburg campaign will launch in August to encourage people to buy local. Read more about how the city hopes to support small businesses that took a hit from the COVID crisis.

Compost waste from Harrisburg has found a temporary home after a long, frustrating search. Read our online story for more information about the new agreement with the Swatara Township Yard Waste Composting Facility.

COVID-19 cases rose again this week, we reported in our weekly coverage. The state reported an average of over 700 new diagnoses daily over the last seven days.

Electric bikes soon will roll out in Strawberry Square. Our online story tells about the city resident who is bringing Pedego Electric Bikes to our area.

Harrisburg Urban Growers is helping city residents start their own gardens. Our magazine story reveals why they believe gardening is good for the body and mind.

Harrisburg City Council will interrupt their summer hiatus to hold public hearings on the proposed citizen’s policing advisory board. Our reporting found that many residents are not pleased with the proposed bill as it stands and want the board to have more power.

Harrisburg University had planned to conduct classes fully online, but had to make a major change when new guidelines were imposed by the federal government. Our online story tells how the school shifted to include in-person instruction to avoid the risk of losing its international students.

Paper Moon Flowers has opened in Midtown for all your floral and décor needs. In our magazine story, owner Shawn Durborow-Bowersox described how he started his successful business in Hershey before opening a storefront in Harrisburg.

TheBurg Podcast this month focuses on maintaining a sense of community throughout strange times. Hear from guests Blake Lynch of the Harrisburg Bureau of Police, writer Deb Schell who talks about community gardening and 3rd in the Burg coordinator Kelsey Tatge.

Sara Bozich has everything from flower picking to art therapy on her to-do list for this weekend. Check out all the summer fun in store for Harrisburg in her weekly blog.

Unity Festival is taking over Reservoir Park on Saturday. Local activist Kevin Maxson and his group Voices for the Voiceless will host the day of fun, featuring free food and games. Find out more information in our online story.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events delivered right to your email inbox? If not, subscribe here!

Would you like to support our journalism and get some great benefits to boot? If so, become a Friend of TheBurg!

City introduces “Choose Harrisburg” campaign to encourage shopping local

July 10, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

A row of small businesses on N. 3rd Street

Empty that Amazon shopping cart and put down that Starbucks. It’s time to go local.

Jamal Jones, Harrisburg’s director of business development, has announced a new program designed to promote shopping local.

The “Choose Harrisburg” campaign encourages people to shop small city businesses for the month of August, Jones explained today on another edition of the city’s Facebook Live program, “Community Conversations.”

“It’s a way to provide businesses with much needed support,” he said.

Any business certified by the city with fewer than 50 employees is eligible to register between July 20 and 31. Participating businesses will be added to a list for the public to see, giving people options for buying local.

“Not only does it give a boost to those local businesses, but, long term, we hope it gives a boost to our local economy,” Jones said.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse explained that taxes from businesses in the city help fund city operations. With those revenues being lower than usual due to the COVID-19 crisis, he believes we will feel the effects next year. Millions of dollars will be lacking for city services such as the police and fire bureaus.

“When you’re shopping local, you’re not only helping the business itself, you’re ensuring that the basic services which everybody wants and needs in the city are being able to continue well,” he said.

The city will partner with the Downtown Improvement District and the African American Chamber of Commerce.

“For those of us that get take out once a week or so, let’s resolve for the month of August to only get takeout from businesses that are based here in Harrisburg,” Papenfuse said.

People can show their participation in August by using the hashtag #choosehbg on social media.

Jones said that more information will be provided in the coming weeks.

To watch past Community Conversations, visit the City of Harrisburg’s YouTube. For more information, visit https://harrisburgpa.gov/.

New COVID-19 cases rise over past week in PA, especially around Philly, Pittsburgh

July 10, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

COVID-19 cases and tests, over time. Source: PA Department of Health

New COVID-19 cases in PA were up again this past week, with the state reporting an average of more than 700 new daily diagnoses over the last seven days.

With today’s update, the state Department of Health reported an average of 733 new cases per day since last Friday. The previous week, the department reported an average of 624 new cases per day and 515 the week before.

For the past 24 hours, the department confirmed 1,009 new positive cases throughout Pennsylvania.

Today’s data represents the first time in over a month that new daily cases have exceeded 1,000, though, according to the department, much of the increase originates from Allegheny County, from Philadelphia County and from “an influx of private lab results” that did not occur in the past 24 hours.

Cases peaked in early April at nearly 2,000 daily new cases. While new diagnoses have increased recently, so have testing rates.

With the additional cases, 93,876 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus, an increase of 5,135 over the past week.

New case data around central PA was generally more restrained than in the eastern and western parts of the state. Locally, total diagnosed cases are as follows:

Adams County: 377 cases (prior Friday, 344)
Cumberland County: 930 cases (prior Friday, 871)
Dauphin County: 2,268 cases (prior Friday, 2,161)
Franklin County: 993 cases (prior Friday, 954)
Lancaster County: 4,783 cases (prior Friday, 4,530)
Lebanon County: 1,419 cases (prior Friday, 1,375)
Perry County: 90 cases (prior Friday, 86)
York County: 1,791 cases (prior Friday, 1,577)

Overall, 10.4 percent of PA residents tested have shown to be positive for the virus.

The department also reported an additional 134 deaths since last Friday, meaning that 6,880 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March.

Around central PA, the COVID-19 fatality data now stands as follows:

Adams County: 14 deaths (prior Friday, 13)
Cumberland County: 66 deaths (prior Friday, 64)
Dauphin County: 149 deaths (prior Friday, 140)
Franklin County: 46 deaths (prior Friday, 44)
Lancaster County: 382 deaths (prior Friday, 365)
Lebanon County: 48 deaths (prior Friday, 43)
Perry County: 5 deaths (prior Friday, 5)
York County: 61 deaths (prior Friday, 54)

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 22,735 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 8,790 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths statewide from the disease: 1,635 and 826, respectively.

“As the entire state is now in the green phase, we must remain committed to protecting against COVID-19 by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and avoiding large gatherings,” health Secretary Rachel Levine said.

Nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 4,699, or 68.3 percent, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 18,164 resident cases of COVID-19, and 3,428 cases among employees, for a total of 21,592 at 737 distinct facilities in 55 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 7,032 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 898,640 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 804,764 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Last Friday, the state reported that 804,144 people had been tested for the virus.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows, according to the health department:

Nearly 1 percent are aged 0-4
1 percent are aged 5-12
Nearly 3 percent are aged 13-18
Nearly 8 percent are aged 19-24
37 percent are aged 25-49
Nearly 24 percent are aged 50-64
26 percent are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, as are most of the reported deaths, according to the state.

Levine continued to emphasize that Pennsylvanians should do the following:

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.
Wear a mask whenever out of your house.

“Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach,” Levine said. “However, the virus has not gone away, and we are seeing cases rise, especially in southwest Pennsylvania.”

For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.

Currently, we are providing a COVID-19 update weekly, each Friday, or as breaking news warrants.

Weekend Recs

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Resources for to-go/delivery

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like