In Pictures: Photographer documents quarantine, donates funds to Salvation Army of Harrisburg

June 18, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Roger Baumgarten of Roger That Photography presents check to Salvation Army Director of Resource Development Kathy Anderson-Martin.

Stuck in quarantine for so long, the last thing many of us thought about was getting dressed up to be photographed. We may have thrown on a nice shirt for a Zoom meeting, but pants? Maybe not.

This morning, Roger Baumgarten presented a $10,327 check to the Salvation Army of Harrisburg Capital City Region for doing just that, photographing people.

Since March, Baumgarten of Mechanicsburg-based Roger That Photography has traveled around the region taking free photos of families on their front steps. Sales from downloads and print purchases went directly to his fundraiser for Salvation Army.

“My choice to do this for Salvation Army came when I saw what they were doing for the COVID crisis,” Baumgarten said. “It was a very easy call to say, ‘I’ll do it!’”

Over the course of around three months, he photographed 422 families in four counties. Some people dressed up for the occasion, pulling out the dresses and slacks that had gone unused for so long. Others truly documented the time, wearing pajamas and holding rolls of toilet paper.

One family’s front step photo.

When Baumgarten embarked on his project, he thought he would cover his own neighborhood and possibly a few others, but quickly started receiving calls from all over the area. He estimated that he’d raise a few thousand dollars, but was blown away by the generosity of the donors towards the Salvation Army fundraiser.

“Salvation Army has done more in 12 weeks than they did in the previous year; it is just so incredible,” he said. “My part was the easy part.”

The photographer got the idea from a friend who introduced him to #TheFrontStepsProject, an initiative started by two Massachusetts photographers. Lacking paying work, photographers wanted a productive way to occupy their time by giving back to their communities. Nationwide, the project has garnered an estimated $2 million for charity.

Kathy Anderson-Martin, director of resource development for the local Salvation Army, explained how much Baumgarten’s work meant to the organization.

“Our level of services has increased, so this is huge,” she said. “This was a sacrifice.”

The Salvation Army has experienced a rise in demand for emergency food distribution during the pandemic and, with children and youth programs now starting back up, the need is great. Anderson-Martin said there have been around 1,200 families receiving food who never needed to before.

“I was grateful to be in a position to help,” Baumgarten said. “It also got me out of the house, which was good.”

Roger That Photography is based in the Mechanicsburg area. For more information, visit his website. Salvation Army is located at 506 S. 29^th St., Harrisburg. To learn more about their work, visit their website.

Receivership year one: Harrisburg school district officials assess progress

June 18, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

File photo of Receiver Janet Samuels at a 2019 school board meeting.

A year has passed since the Harrisburg School District was transferred into the hands of state receivership.

Before appointing Dr. Janet Samuels as receiver of the district, Dauphin County Judge William Tully presented his “Memorandum Opinion.” He noted the failure of the district to meet the academic objectives in the 2013 recovery plan and the 2016 amended plan. Graduation rates and standardized test scores were among the reasons why receivership was necessary.

The receivership was planned to last three years. Here we are, one-third of the way through. What has changed?

“We want to be transparent, and we want everything to be laid out,” Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer said in a school board meeting on Monday.

At the meeting, the district highlighted several changes they said they’ve made:

New math and literacy curriculums developed
After school enrichment program created
Harrisburg Virtual Academy created
Moved to one-on-one technology
Corrective Action Planning coordinated
Implemented internal controls in business office
Anti-fraud programs put in place
Revised 2019-2020 budget
Proposed a structurally balanced 2020-2021 budget
Fully audited the 2018-2019 school year
Director of Operations position added
Ensured employees had proper clearances for 2019-2020 school year
Workplace Safety Committee established
Sold Woodward property located at 18^th and Herr streets

“As a district, I feel we have all come together,” Celmer said. “I’m happy where we are today. We still have a lot to do when you talk about the stability.”

Celmer explained that, moving into the next year, the main focus will be financial stability in the district. They plan to take advantage of historically low interest rates to work on debt restructuring.

He explained, however, the COVID-19 crisis may cause complications with the district’s plan.

“I’m still very concerned about the overall economy and how it impacts our revenues,” Celmer said.

School Board Vice President James Thompson doesn’t believe finances, strictly speaking, have been the district’s issue in the past, but rather the organization and how the money is used. He supports the efforts made by Samuels and Celmer, but sees education as a higher priority.

“I’m very concerned about the academic performance of our kids,” he said. “I have no hope that the academics are going to improve.”

Jody Barksdale, president of the teachers’ union, the Harrisburg Education Association, has recognized changes to the curriculum. She pointed out that the school has implemented a new English Language Arts (ELA) program and expanded their “Eureka Math” curriculum to include K-8^th grades.

“I’ve seen changes in the actual curriculum,” Barksdale said. “It’s hard to say if it’s working. It takes time.”

In Thompson’s opinion, there’s no time for waiting.

“I’m optimistic, but chop-chop, let’s go,” he said. “There have been two generations of kids that passed through the district with horrific results.”

Overall, both Barksdale and Thompson are pleased with the new leadership under state receivership.

“I think we are in much better shape,” Thompson said. “Now let’s get some results.”

Of course, results have been difficult to get for the past couple of months in a time when schools are focused on learning how to function during a pandemic. Celmer highlighted achievements made during the crisis.

The district developed a continuity of education plan, secured technology devices for students, reworked graduation plans and implemented a “grab-and-go” food program.

The school board also proposed a 2020-21 academic year budget of $158.2 million on Monday night. This is a slight increase from the proposed budget in May, but there is no deficit. One-time CARES Act funding filled the $4.2 million gap, leaving the district with a balanced budget. There will still be no tax increase this year.

On June 22, a final decision on a 2020-21 spending plan is expected.

Throughout the transitions in administration and changes due to the crisis, Barksdale is happy with the management and oversight the district is providing.

“They’ve done a wonderful job communicating with, helping and guiding teachers,” she said. We’ve felt like we are working together as a team.”

Celmer expressed a similar gratitude for teamwork. While improvements have been made, he recognizes there are still two more years worth of work needed.

“I’m not satisfied with where we are at, but I’m pleased,” he said.

For more information, visit the Harrisburg School District’s website.

PA reports just over 400 new COVID-19 cases as total diagnoses pass 80,000

June 18, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

An image from the PA Health Department lab in Exton

Total coronavirus cases in PA now exceed 80,000, though new positive cases continue their long, slow descent.

The state Department of Health today reported 418 new positives for the 24-hour period ending at midnight.

This breaks a trend of four straight days with fewer than 400 cases, though the long-term trend of lower cases remains intact overall.

Cases peaked in early April at nearly 2,000 daily new cases. Since then, cases have shown a gradual decline, despite increasingly greater testing levels for the virus.

With the additional cases, 80,236 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Locally, total diagnosed cases are as follows:

Adams County: 304 cases (yesterday, 300)
Cumberland County: 758 cases (yesterday, 751)
Dauphin County: 1,708 cases (yesterday, 1,693)
Franklin County: 855 cases (yesterday, 852)
Lancaster County: 3,867 cases (yesterday, 3,830)
Lebanon County: 1,210 cases (yesterday, 1,200)
Perry County: 77 cases (yesterday, 76)
York County: 1,209 cases (yesterday, 1,195)

Overall, 12.8 percent of PA residents tested have shown to be positive for the virus.

The department also reported an additional 42 deaths, meaning that 6,361 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March.

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

Adams County: 10 deaths (yesterday, 9)
Cumberland County: 61 deaths (yesterday, 61)
Dauphin County: 111 deaths (yesterday, 108)
Franklin County: 42 deaths (yesterday, 42)
Lancaster County: 336 deaths (yesterday, 333)
Lebanon County: 40 deaths (yesterday, 40)
Perry County: 5 deaths (yesterday, 5)
York County: 34 deaths (yesterday, 32)

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 20,276 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 8,014 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths statewide from the disease: 1,540 and 773, respectively.

“With more than half of the state now in the green phase of the process to reopen, it is essential that we continue to take precautions to protect against COVID-19,” health Secretary Rachel Levine said. “The commonwealth’s careful, measured approach to reopening is working as we see case counts continue to decline even as many other states see increases. But the virus has not gone away.”

Much of the Harrisburg area is now in the “green” phase of reopening, which means fewer restrictions on businesses and gatherings. Dauphin and Perry counties are slated to enter the green phase on Friday.

Nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 4,332, or 68.1 percent, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 16,850 resident cases of COVID-19, and 2,986 cases among employees, for a total of 19,836 at 649 distinct facilities in 47 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 6,092 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 624,068 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 543,832 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 612,832 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
2 percent are aged 13-18
6 percent are aged 19-24
Nearly 37 percent are aged 25-49
Nearly 25 percent are aged 50-64
28 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.

“Each of us has a responsibility to protect ourselves, our loved ones and others by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and washing our hands frequently,” Levine said. “Together, we can protect our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our essential workers and our healthcare system.”

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

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

June 18, 2020 | by Sara Bozich

Okay, now we’re all in the green (tonight at midnight I think). What does that mean? You can probably get a haircut, a sugaring, a facial, continue to shop locally (but now in person, where you can), and dine inside and out! NOTE: For the love of god, can you people PLEASE be kind, follow the rules, and cut employees everywhere a break? Honestly. Everyone is doing the best that they can. Don’t forget Sunday is Father’s Day! I always recommend consumables as gifts — local beer, cheese, wine, spirits, pastries, coffee. 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.

Top Picks:

Book your appointments at Bronzed Bunny now (I went yesterday)
Visit R.G. Hummer’s in the Broad Street Market for all your grilling needs
Need something pretty? Meeka Fine Jewelry is open!
MoMo BBQ Co. is OPEN for outdoor and indoor seating!
ABC Mechanicsburg is OPEN! Check Facebook for details!
ABC Harrisburg is OPEN! Check Fa c ebook for details!
All Tattered Flag locations are open! Check Facebook for details!
Enjoy outdoor and indoor beers at Boneshire Brew Works all weekend!
Check out Midtown Cinema’s full list of on-demand films!
Grab some local brews and binge-watch Poured in PA: The Series free on YouTube!
Midtown Scholar Bookstore now offering curbside pickup.
The Millworks is now open Tuesday-Sunday at 4 p.m.

Sunday

Top picks 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
Ways to give back

Black Lives Matter protest focuses on next steps: photo gallery

June 17, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Black Lives Matter protesters gathered at the state Capitol on Wednesday evening, the rally led by local activist Brent Lipscomb. The focus was on maintaining the momentum of the movement and working for national and local change. Community leaders and members spoke, and a march around downtown Harrisburg followed.

Protesters march down N. 3rd Street.

Co-founder of Harrisburg’s Young Professionals of Color Kimeka Campbell speaks at the rally.

PA Auditor General Eugene DePasquale speaks at the rally.

Protest organizer Brent Lipscomb speaks.

Shaq Glover, community development manager at the Central PA LGBT Center, speaks.

The march continues down N. 3rd Street in Harrisburg.

Harrisburg groups to hold Juneteenth celebrations, encourage people to take day off

June 17, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Harrisburg Young Professionals of Color’s Juneteenth event last year.

It was just last year that Gov. Tom Wolf passed a bill officially recognizing June 19 as a state holiday celebrating freedom from slavery, known as Juneteenth.

In the wake of the death of George Floyd and other black men and women at the hands of police, Juneteenth takes on special meaning this year in the midst of protests and calls to action.

The Harrisburg Young Professionals of Color, La Cultura, Capital Rebirth and The Bridge are joining forces to host festivities in Harrisburg this Friday.

“It’s a celebration,” Mikell Simpson, founder of the nonprofit Capital Rebirth, said. “We have gained a lot of momentum. Now, let’s take a break for a day and celebrate.”

Young Professionals of Color will host events during the day, including time for rest and wellness activities, a cookout and a Juneteenth affirmation.

“We are encouraging people to take the day off,” co-founder Kimeka Campbell said.

In the evening, Capital Rebirth and The Bridge development group will hold a parade starting at The Bridge’s building (the former Bishop McDevitt school) that will continue to Market Street over to Herr Street and end at Sunshine Park.

There will be over 25 vendors, including healthcare providers, retail shops and businesses present, Simpson said. He added there will be no shortage of food as they plan to have enough hot dogs and hamburgers for over 700 people. Free T-shirts are available for the first 300 people, as well.

In addition to food and shopping, speakers will present on the history of Juneteenth and black culture in Harrisburg.

“Juneteenth isn’t something that is taught in schools,” Simpson said. “We want to get people educated.”

For the city’s weekly “Community Conversation” at noon, Simpson will join Mayor Eric Papenfuse along with representatives from All You Can Inc. and Harrisburg’s Peace Promenade to discuss the holiday.

A packed-full day, events will continue with the leadership of La Cultura at 3rd in the Burg. They will host pop up vendors in their storefront on the 200-block of Verbeke Street.

Closing out the Juneteenth celebrations, Capital Rebirth is showing Marvel’s “Black Panther” on their inflatable movie screen outside

“Everything is going to be black culture,” Simpson said. “That day is for us. All races are welcome, but it’s for us to celebrate.”

Simpson explained that mask-wearing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be enforced, and anyone who doesn’t comply will be asked to leave.

Even with the COVID-19 crisis complicating things, Juneteenth celebrations will continue, allowing time for people in Harrisburg to take a break, reconnect with friends and commemorate the important holiday.

“Police shootings are traumatizing, celebrating Juneteenth helps us remember black people have overcome before and we will overcome again.”

Juneteenth celebrations in Harrisburg will take place on June 19. Harrisburg Young Professionals of Color events will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hurston Manor on Front Street. For more information on YPOC, visit their website. Capital Rebirth and The Bridge’s parade will take place at 5 p.m., starting at The Bridge Eco Village on Market Street. For more information, visit https://www.capitalrebirth.com/ or https://www.thebridgeecovillage.com/. La Cultura’s pop up shop at 3^rd in The Burg will take place from 7-10 p.m. For more information, visit https://laculturahbg.com/.

New coronavirus cases in PA affirm lower level, fourth day below 400

June 17, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

An image from the PA Health Department lab in Exton

New coronavirus cases in PA continue to gradually diminish, as the commonwealth again record fewer than 400 newly positive diagnoses.

The state Department of Health today reported 335 new positives for the 24-hour period ending at midnight.

The department has reported sub-400 new cases since Sunday.

Cases peaked in early April at nearly 2,000 daily new cases. Since then, cases have shown a gradual decline, despite increasingly greater testing levels for the virus.

With the additional cases, 79,818 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Locally, total diagnosed cases are as follows:

Adams County: 300 cases (yesterday, 298)
Cumberland County: 751 cases (yesterday, 746)
Dauphin County: 1,693 cases (yesterday, 1,674)
Franklin County: 852 cases (yesterday, 849)
Lancaster County: 3,830 cases (yesterday, 3,802)
Lebanon County: 1,200 cases (yesterday, 1,193)
Perry County: 76 cases (yesterday, 73)
York County: 1,195 cases (yesterday, 1,183)

Overall, 13 percent of PA residents tested have shown to be positive for the virus.

The department also reported an additional 43 deaths, meaning that 6,319 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March.

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

Adams County: 10 deaths (yesterday, 9)
Cumberland County: 61 deaths (yesterday, 61)
Dauphin County: 111 deaths (yesterday, 108)
Franklin County: 42 deaths (yesterday, 42)
Lancaster County: 336 deaths (yesterday, 333)
Lebanon County: 40 deaths (yesterday, 40)
Perry County: 5 deaths (yesterday, 5)
York County: 34 deaths (yesterday, 32)

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 20,184 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 7,990 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths statewide from the disease: 1,518 and 769, respectively.

Nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 4,331, or 68.5 percent, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 16,774 resident cases of COVID-19, and 2,966 cases among employees, for a total of 19,740 at 649 distinct facilities in 47 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 6,060 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 612,832 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 533,014 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 603,092 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
Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12
Nearly 2 percent are aged 13-18
6 percent are aged 19-24
Nearly 37 percent are aged 25-49
Nearly 25 percent are aged 50-64
28 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.

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

New COVID-19 cases in PA continue to show downward trend

June 16, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

An image from the PA Department of Health lab in Exton

The coronavirus pandemic seems to be taking another step down in PA as the commonwealth today reported a third straight day with new cases below 400.

The state Department of Health today reported 362 new positives for the 24-hour period ending at midnight.

The department has reported sub-400 new cases since Sunday, though today’s data may be more significant because, in the past, new cases have spiked on Tuesdays following lower reporting to the department over weekends.

Cases peaked in early April at nearly 2,000 daily new cases. Since then, cases have shown a gradual decline, despite increasingly greater testing levels for the virus.

With the additional cases, 79,483 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Locally, total diagnosed cases are as follows:

Adams County: 298 cases (yesterday, 296)
Cumberland County: 746 cases (yesterday, 738)
Dauphin County: 1,674 cases (yesterday, 1,655)
Franklin County: 849 cases (yesterday, 843)
Lancaster County: 3,802 cases (yesterday, 3,777)
Lebanon County: 1,193 cases (yesterday, 1,190)
Perry County: 73 cases (yesterday, 72)
York County: 1,183 cases (yesterday, 1,162)

Overall, 13.2 percent of PA residents tested have shown to be positive for the virus.

The department also reported an additional 33 deaths, meaning that 6,276 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March.

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

Adams County: 10 deaths (yesterday, 9)
Cumberland County: 61 deaths (yesterday,60)
Dauphin County: 108 deaths (yesterday, 107)
Franklin County: 42 deaths (yesterday, 42)
Lancaster County: 333 deaths (yesterday, 331)
Lebanon County: 40 deaths (yesterday, 40)
Perry County: 5 deaths (yesterday, 5)
York County: 32 deaths (yesterday, 32)

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 20,096 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 7,950 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths statewide from the disease: 1,518 and 769, respectively.

Nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 4,268, or 68 percent, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 16,720 resident cases of COVID-19, and 2,955 cases among employees, for a total of 19,675 at 650 distinct facilities in 47 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 6,033 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 603,092 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 523,609 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 593,030 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
Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12
Nearly 2 percent are aged 13-18
6 percent are aged 19-24
Nearly 37 percent are aged 25-49
Nearly 25 percent are aged 50-64
28 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.

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

For second straight day, new coronavirus cases in PA sink to lowest level since March

June 15, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

An image from the PA Department of Health lab in Exton

New COVID-19 diagnoses hit another long-term low in PA today, with just over 300 new positive cases.

The state Department of Health today reported 323 new COVID-19 diagnoses, 13 fewer than yesterday. This represents the fewest newly reported cases for any 24-hour period since late March.

Cases peaked in early April at nearly 2,000 daily new cases. Since then, cases have shown a gradual decline, despite increasingly greater testing levels for the virus.

With the additional cases, 79,121 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Generally, data tends to be lower on weekends due to less reporting to the state health department.

Locally, total diagnosed cases are as follows:

Adams County: 296 cases (yesterday, 290)
Cumberland County: 738 cases (yesterday, 728)
Dauphin County: 1,655 cases (yesterday, 1,634)
Franklin County: 843 cases (yesterday, 843)
Lancaster County: 3,777 cases (yesterday, 3,752)
Lebanon County: 1,190 cases (yesterday, 1,182)
Perry County: 72 cases (yesterday, 72)
York County: 1,169 cases (yesterday, 1,162)

Overall, 13.3 percent of PA residents tested have shown to be positive for the virus.

The department also reported an additional 28 deaths, meaning that 6,243 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March.

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

Adams County: 9 deaths (yesterday, 9)
Cumberland County: 60 deaths (yesterday, 59)
Dauphin County: 107 deaths (yesterday, 107)
Franklin County: 42 deaths (yesterday, 42)
Lancaster County: 331 deaths (yesterday, 329)
Lebanon County: 40 deaths (yesterday, 40)
Perry County: 5 deaths (yesterday, 5)
York County: 32 deaths (yesterday, 31)

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 20,007 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 7,930 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths statewide from the disease: 1,509 and 764, respectively.

Nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 4,268, 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 16,612 resident cases of COVID-19, and 2,936 cases among employees, for a total of 19,548 at 642 distinct facilities in 45 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 5,996 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 593,030 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 513,909 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 583,233 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
Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12
Nearly 2 percent are aged 13-18
6 percent are aged 19-24
Nearly 37 percent are aged 25-49
Nearly 25 percent are aged 50-64
28 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.

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

Bethesda Women’s Shelter faces renewal project, construction begins

June 15, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Director Shelley Brooks (far right) and other staff at Bethesda Women’s Mission take sledgehammers to the old building.

Not too long ago, a car hit the main Bethesda Women’s Shelter building on Forster Street.

Director Shelley Brooks ran out to check the damage. Not even one brick had come loose, but to her, that was bad luck.

“I always tell everyone who visits, when they leave to take a brick with them,” she said.

Brooks finally saw her dream for renovation come true as demolition began today for the shelter renewal project.

Bethesda Women’s Mission has occupied the 120-year-old former pair of school buildings for 37 years. Brooks has worked there for 35 of them.

The 120-year-old buildings sit on the 1900-block of Forster Street.

“The buildings served us well for many years, but over the last decade, we saw deterioration,” Executive Director Scott Dunwoody said.

The shelter offers long-term and transitional living for women in crisis to seek restoration and personal growth. Many of these women have faced abuse and addiction. The buildings house 25 beds for women and their children.

Brooks explained the growing need in the Harrisburg area for young women’s support as a motivating factor in the expansion.

“It’s time to spread out a little because the need is great,” she said.

The transitional living building will be demolished and rebuilt first, followed by the main building. Once completed, the half-acre site will hold a new four-story building with 51 beds, the new transitional living building and outdoor garden and park space.

“The shelter has given women who have been in crisis a whole new opportunity for a different life,” Dunwoody said.

Within the past two years, Bethesda has raised over 85% of the $4.2 million price tag on the project through grants and private donors. They are now looking for community donations to meet their goal.

The project, taken on by Pyramid Construction, is expected to be completed by the fall of 2021.

With excitement, Brooks and other staff members took sledgehammers to one of the old brick buildings this morning.

“I feel very privileged to be where I am,” Brooks said. “This has been very much a home, and I will miss that. But I won’t miss calling the maintenance person a lot.”

Bethesda Women’s Mission is located at 1933 Forster St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit https://www.bethesdamission.org/take-action/womens-mission-renewal/.

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