COVID-19 Resources STATE: Pennsylvania COVID-19 Statistics per Pennsylvania Department of Health Data updated as of 12:00pm on 5/28/2020 Total Cases 1 Negative Tests 2 Total Deaths Recovered 3 70,042 357,804 5,373 64%

1 Total case counts include confirmed and probable cases. 2 Negative case data only includes negative PCR tests. Negative case data does not include negative antibody tests. 3 Individuals who have recovered is determined using a calculation, similar to what is being done by several other states. If a case has not been reported as a death, and it is more than 30 days past the date of their first positive test (or onset of symptoms) then an individual is considered recovered.

STATE: Pennsylvania COVID-19 Statistics per Pennsylvania Department of Health Data updated as of 12:00pm on 5/28/2020 Cases Total Cases 70,042 Confirmed Case 68,104 Probable cases by Definition and 1,938 High-Risk Exposure

STATE: Cases by Age Range to Date per Pennsylvania Department of Health Data updated as of 12:00pm on 5/28/2020 Age Range Cases 0-4 <1% 5-12 <1% 13-18 2% 19-24 6% 25-49 37% 50-64 25% 65+ 28%

STATE: Hospitalization Rates by Age Range to Date per Pennsylvania Department of Health Data updated as of 12:00pm on 5/28/2020 Age Range Cases 0-4 < 1% 5-12 < 1% 13-18 < 1% 19-24 1% 25-49 16% 50-64 26% 65+ 56% REGIONAL: COVID-19 cases by county to Date per Pennsylvania Department of Health Data updated as of 12:00pm on 5/28/2020 New New Positive Negative cases County Deaths* deaths Cases Tests since since 5/27 5/27 10-County 3,586 56,853 309 +39 +1 Region Allegheny 1,851 28,965 161 +23 +1 Armstrong 62 1,210 4 +1 - Beaver 579 3,533 72 +9 - Butler 226 3,608 12 +4 - Fayette 95 3,152 4 - - Greene 27 750 - - - Indiana 90 1,346 5 - - Lawrence 74 1,267 8 - - Washington 139 4,123 5 +1 - Westmoreland 443 8,899 38 +1 -

* This information has been extracted from death records registered with the Department’s Vital Records Program as of 11:59 pm on May 27, 2020.

State Coronavirus Updates

 Wolf Highlights PA Businesses Rising to Meet COVID-19 Needs: As Pennsylvania continues to take measured steps to reopen, Governor praised Pennsylvania businesses that have pivoted to produce critical products during the COVID-19 public health crisis, which undoubtedly contributed to the commonwealth’s efforts to protect public health and safety. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020052760.HTM  Wolf Issues Green Phase Order, Guidance on Dining and Professional Sports: As more counties move to yellow and green, Governor Tom Wolf issued an order to elaborate on the reopening process for green phase counties and guidance on outdoor dining in yellow counties, dining in green counties, and professional sports in yellow counties. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020052761.HTM  Wolf Administration, Federal Delegation: Pennsylvania Farmers Eligible for $16 Billion in Direct Relief Payments: Farmers who have been directly affected by the coronavirus pandemic are eligible for direct relief payments through the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. CFAP provides vital financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a five-percent or greater price decline or who had losses due to market supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 and face additional significant market losses. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020052763.HTM  Pennsylvania Offers Accessible Write-In Ballots for Voters with Disabilities for June 2 Primary: Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar announced that the Department of State will provide accessible write-in ballots to voters with disabilities who request one. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020052893.HTM  Wolf Administration Launches LIHEAP Recovery Crisis Program to Ease Utility Costs for Pennsylvanians Affected by COVID-19 Crisis: Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary announced a Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Recovery Crisis Program to help Pennsylvanians during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Beginning in May, DHS will work with utility companies and deliverable fuel vendors to help Pennsylvanians at risk of losing access to electric, natural gas, or deliverable fuels such as oil, pay utility bills, and maintain access to home energy services. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020051465.HTM

 Yellow Phase Orders Updated to Include 13 Additional Counties Moving on May 15: The yellow phase orders were amended to include 13 counties moving to the yellow phase at 12:01 a.m. May 15. Those counties include Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020051465.HTM  Pennsylvania’s Second Annual 1-4-3 Day Takes on New Meaning during COVID-19 Crisis: Governor Tom Wolf proclaimed Friday, May 22, the 143rd day of the year, as 1-4-3 Day, a statewide day of kindness in honor of Pennsylvania native Fred Rogers. Fred Rogers, best known from his beloved television series, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, exemplified compassion and regularly used 1-4-3 as another way of saying “I love you,” with 1-4-3 representing the number of letters in each word. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020051582.HTM  Governor Wolf Announces New Funding for Agriculture, Business Development Projects: Governor Tom Wolf announced the approval of four projects through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) that will spur economic development, create jobs, and support Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020051575.HTM  Limited Services Available at Additional PennDOT Driver License and Photo License Centers in Yellow Phase Counties: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that beginning May 15, 2020, additional Driver License and Photo License Centers in yellow phase counties will reopen, adhering to restrictions on work and social interaction set by Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020051450.HTM  Pa Leads Nation in Local Government Revenue Loss Due To Pandemic: According to a recent analysis by the National League of Cities, Pennsylvania leads the nation in a very dubious category -- local government revenue loss due to the pandemic. Cities, boroughs, towns and townships across the Commonwealth will sustain an overall loss of $6 billion representing 40% of local revenues. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020051573.HTM

 Department of Human Services Supports Child Care Providers’ COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts as Counties Transition to Reopening: As child care providers across Pennsylvania reopen in counties transitioning to the yellow phase in Governor Tom Wolf’s reopening plan, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is committed to supporting this crucial industry and the families of young children who depend on it. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020051146.HTM  Wolf Administration Approved to Delay Implementation of Family First Prevention Services Act: The Wolf Administration announced that approval was received from the United States Department of Health & Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families’ to delay opting into full implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act until July 1, 2021, to give child welfare stakeholders the necessary time to implement these critical reforms. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020051158.HTM  Wolf: Free N95 Decontamination System for Healthcare Facilities, First Responders Now Available: Governor Tom Wolf today Wednesday May 6 announced the availability of a program to provide free N95 respirator decontamination to healthcare facilities, first responders, and other eligible organizations that may be experiencing a shortage of the respirators due to limited availability through normal procurement channels. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020050690.HTM/  Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 825 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 50,092: The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 4, that there are 825 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 50,092. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020050464.HTM  Wolf Administration Applies for $523 Million in Emergency Funds to Support Schools: The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) submitted its Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund application to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to obtain approximately $523.8 million in emergency, one-time funds to help schools respond to COVID-19 impacts. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020050473.HTM.  Re-opening Pennsylvania as issued by Governor Wolfe - https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/  PennDOT Extends Expiration Dates on Driver Licenses, ID Cards, and Learner’s Permits: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today Friday May 1 that expiration dates for driver licenses, identification cards, and learner’s permits, will be extended for Pennsylvania residents in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Effective April 30, 2020, expiration dates for driver licenses, photo ID cards and learner's permits scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020 through May 31, 2020, are now extended through June 30, 2020. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020050199.HTM.  Wolf Administration: New Funding Awarded to Assist Hospitals Across Pennsylvania: Governor Tom Wolf announced that nearly $324 million in funding has been awarded to 31 hospitals across the commonwealth through the Hospital Emergency Loan Program, or HELP, which provides short-term financial relief as hospitals combat the surge of COVID-19 cases in their area. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020043083.HTM.  Wolf Signs Two Bills into Law, Vetoes Flawed Telemedicine Bill, Releases Cross-Agency Guidance for Telehealth: Governor Tom Wolf signed into law two bills: House Bill 1869 allows for National Guard members called to active duty to be covered under the Heart and Lung Act if they contract COVID-19 while performing their duties, and House Bill 752 provides for the Game Commission to pay a fair market value for land in Allegheny County. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020043095.HTM.  L&I Offers Six Tips to Get Unemployment Compensation Benefits Quicker: With the historic surge in people seeking unemployment compensation (UC), Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary today Thursday April 30 offered six tips to help Pennsylvanians more quickly receive the benefits they have earned and deserve. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020043073.HTM.  PA Council on Aging Releases Findings from Survey of Older Adults During Pandemic: The Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Pennsylvania Council on Aging (PCoA) today Thursday April 30 released the findings of a statewide survey conducted by PCoA to assess the status, needs and interests of older adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. The survey inquired about food access, public risk factors, and social connection. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020043084.HTM.  Secretary of Agriculture: Farmers Market Season is Here, Markets Prepared to Safely Serve Pennsylvanians Amid COVID-19: Agriculture Secretary today Thursday April 30 reminded Pennsylvanians that with spring and warm weather comes farmers market season in the commonwealth. Farmers markets, like grocery stores, offer life-sustaining food and essentials and have been provided guidance from the department for how to continue operations safely and with minimal risk amid the COVID-19 public health crisis. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020043087.HTM.  PennDOT Construction Projects to Resume Beginning May 1: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today Thursday April 30 that in accordance with Governor Tom Wolf’s plan for a phased-in reopening of public and private construction, PennDOT highway and bridge construction projects will resume beginning May 1. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020043085.HTM.  Wolf Calls for Mandated Race and Ethnicity Data Collection and Increased Testing Amid COVID-19: On a call today Monday April 27 with reporters and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman about the newly formed Health Disparity Task Force, Governor Tom Wolf called for COVID-19 health care providers and medical facilities conducting tests to follow the Department of Health’s mandate to include race and ethnicity data in demographics provided to the department with COVID-19 test results. He also asked for more robust, free and accessible testing for minority and vulnerable populations. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020042773.HTM.  Governor Announces May 1 Statewide Reopening of Limited Outdoor Recreational Activities to Help Pennsylvanians Maintain Positive Physical, Mental Health: To ensure that Pennsylvanians have opportunities to safely enjoy outdoor recreation as a way to maintain positive physical and mental health, and in keeping with the commonwealth’s stay-at-home orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Governor Tom Wolf today Monday April 27 announced that the Wolf Administration is lifting some restrictions on businesses related to certain outdoor activities. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020042763.HTM.  In-person graduation events likely won’t be in the cards for the Class of 2020, Pa. Health Secretary says: Pennsylvania will start its phased reopening plan amid the coronavirus pandemic on May 8, but it’s unlikely that the state will reach a point where in-person high school and college graduations can be held, Health Department Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said Monday April 27. Read more: https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/in-person-graduation-events- likely-wont-be-in-the-cards-for-the-class-of-2020-pa-health-secretary-says.html.

 Health Secretary announces guidance to resume elective surgeries released: Health Secretary Rachel Levine said during her daily briefing that guidance was released today Monday April 27 for hospitals and other facilities in the state to resume elective surgeries. Read more: https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/pa-health-secretary-to-give-april-27-update- about-coronavirus-live.html.  State will use smartphones to help with contact tracing of COVID-19: The Apple and Android devices of people with COVID-19 will be used, at least voluntarily, to help state officials in its effort to prevent the virus from spreading as more of Pennsylvania will open up. See attached.  Wolf Administration Issues Guidance as Construction Industry Prepares to Resume Work May 1: As the construction industry prepares to resume work, the Wolf Administration issued guidancefor all construction businesses and employees to mitigate the spread of COVID- 19. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020042499.HTM.  Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to Expand Curbside Delivery Program on Monday: The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced on Friday, April 24 it will expand its recently introduced curbside pickup service to 389 more Fine Wine & Good Spirits locations across the commonwealth on Monday, April 27, to serve more customers seeking wine and spirits while maintaining social distancing practices in the interest of public health and safety. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020042485.HTM.  Wolf Administration: New Funding Available for Technology-Based Companies: Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary announced that new funding is available to help technology-based companies impacted by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. “DCED remains committed to identifying new resources that can support Pennsylvania’s businesses during this unprecedented time,” said Sec. Davin. “Our tech companies have been stepping up to provide us with innovative ways to produce personal protective equipment and other supplies, and we must make sure they remain in a position to provide those critical services and ideas in our response to this pandemic.” Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020042497.HTM.  AARP calls on Pennsylvania to release list of nursing homes with coronavirus cases: The nation’s largest advocate for senior welfare has urged Gov. Tom Wolf to release a list naming which Pennsylvania long-term care facilities have confirmed coronavirus cases. “With the crisis continuing to worsen, we cannot afford to wait another second to shine a light on the situations facing our nursing facility residents and staff,” AARP State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh wrote in a letterto the governor. “Our system must be more transparent.” Read more: https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/aarp-calls-on-pennsylvania-to-release-list-of- nursing-homes-with-coronavirus-cases.html.  Wolf Administration Announces Housing and Transportation Funding for Pennsylvania Communities: Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin announced new funding assistance for transportation and housing activities to address the COVID-19 pandemic under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “COVID-19 has had a major impact on communities across Pennsylvania, and this funding will serve as a critical resource for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents,” said Sec. Davin. “By working together with the federal government, we can safeguard the health and wellbeing of individuals across the commonwealth.” Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020042479.HTM.  Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,599 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 38,652: The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 24, that there are 1,599 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 38,652. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Today, the state is reporting 1,492 confirmed deaths in Pennsylvania. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here. All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020042478.HTM.  Wolf Encourages Voters to Apply for a Mail-in Ballot: As Pennsylvania continues mitigation efforts to fight COVID-19, Governor Tom Wolf is encouraging registered voters to apply for a mail-in ballot for the June 2 primary election. The governor also announced the Department of State has launched an awareness campaign to inform the public about the new primary election date and how to apply for a mail-in ballot, including sending 4.2 million postcards to primary voters. In-person voting at polling places will remain available. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020042275.HTM.  Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,156 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 35,684: The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., April 22, that there are 1,156 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 35,684. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The department is continuing to work to increase the types of cases that are being added to our death case counts. Today, 58 new deaths are reported among positive and probable cases, bringing the statewide total to 1,622. County- specific information and a statewide map are available here. All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020042267.HTM.  Wolf Administration Announces Business Loan Deferrals: Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin announced that the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA), Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority (PMBDA), and Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) are deferring loans and that the maturity dates and amortization schedules of all applicable loans are extended by three additional calendar months. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020042293.HTM.  Governor Press Briefing - Yesterday, Governor Tom Wolf announced a Plan for Pennsylvania that will set citizens and businesses on a path to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to protect life from the dangers of this deadly virus. The governor outlined six key points to his Plan for Pennsylvania: 1. Using a data-driven approach to determine re-openings. 2. Abiding by guidance and recommendations for employers, individuals, and health care facilities for assured accountability while reopening. 3. Making available adequate personal protective equipment and testing before reopening. 4. Using a monitoring and surveillance program that allows the commonwealth to deploy swift actions for containment or mitigation. 5. Keeping in place protections for vulnerable populations throughout the reopening process, such as limitations on visitors to congregate care facilities and prisons. 6. Limiting large gatherings unrelated to occupations through the reopening process. You can read the full press release here.

 More than 1.5 million unemployment claims filed in Pa. as jobless numbers continue to climb: The number of Pennsylvanians filing unemployment claims continues to climb. On Monday April 20, Pennsylvania Labor & Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak said that the state had surpassed 1.5 million unemployment claims filed since March 15, when the state rolled out coronavirus mitigation efforts. Read more: https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/pa-unemployment-numbers-continue-to- climb-pandemic-unemployment-portal-logs-thousands-of-claims.html.  Spike in coronavirus deaths reflects better reporting, Pa. health secretary says: Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said Tuesday April 21 the state’s sharp uptick in deaths due to the coronavirus seen in recent days reflects better reporting. Read more: https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/updates-on-coronavirus-in-pennsylvania-from- health-secretary-watch-live.html.  Tom Wolf vetoes bill that could allow more Pa. businesses to reopen: Pennsylvania’s Gov. Tom Wolf, as expected, vetoed legislation that would allow more businesses to reopen provided they comply with certain COVID-19 safety standards. Read more: https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/gov-tom-wolf-vetoes-bill-that-could-allow-more-pa- businesses-to-reopen.html.  Governor Wolf on Southwestern Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday April 21 said southwestern Pennsylvania's relatively low rate of COVID-19 infection will play a role in determining what parts of Pennsylvania will reopen beginning May 8. Whether that would mean the Pittsburgh region would be able to get opened more quickly than other parts of the state was something that Wolf didn't commit to specifically. He said that the time line for reopening is based on data, a methodical approach that will include ramping up testing, and what the virus is doing.  Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Rate At 6.0 Percent in March: Friday, April 17, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) released its employment situation report for March 2020. The March unemployment and jobs surveys collected data that referenced the week from March 8 – 14 before many necessary coronavirus (COVID-19) - related business and school closures occurred in the second half of the month. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020041797.HTM.  Wolf: Emergency SNAP Benefit Distribution to Begin Friday, April 17, Local Feeding Programs Available: Governor Tom Wolf announced on Friday, April 17 that the Department of Human Services (DHS) will begin emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit issuance today in line with the federal government’s interpretation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Read more: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf- emergency-snap-benefit-distribution-to-begin-today-local-feeding-programs-available/ .  Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 1,706 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 29,441: The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed on Friday, April 17 as of 12:00 a.m., April 17, that there are 1,706 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 29,441. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. The department also reported 49 new deaths among positive cases, bringing the statewide total to 756. County- specific information and a statewide map are available here. All people are either in isolation at home or being treated at the hospital. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020041779.HTM.  Pennsylvania Businesses to Benefit from Waiver for Prepayments of Sales Tax: As part of the effort to help businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tom Wolf on Tuesday, April 14 announced businesses that collect Pennsylvania sales tax will not have to make Accelerated Sales Tax (AST) prepayments over the next three months. That means businesses that normally have a monthly prepayment requirement will not be charged penalties for missing the prepayment deadline during this three-month period. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020041489.HTM.  Department of Health Releases Interim Crisis Standards of Care Guidance for Hospitals: Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine on Tuesday, April 14 announced the department has finalized interim guidance for hospitals should they become overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients who have critical medical needs. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020041351.HTM.  Pennsylvania Launches COVID-19 Job Hiring Portal: Pennsylvanians looking for work can now find life-sustaining businesses that are hiring through a new online COVID-19 job portalthe Department of Labor & Industry is launching today. Read more: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020041361.HTM.  Wolf: ‘New normal’ will take time, 3 phases of response: Wolf sees the battle against COVID-19 as a three-stage process, adding Pennsylvania is still in the first stage of fighting to reduce the rate of infection among the population by sheltering in place. During this time, the governor said the state still needs to build capacity so the health system is not overwhelmed by the disease. He acknowledged this has not come without “a whole host of sacrifices” — closing schools and businesses and keeping social distance from each other. Read more: https://triblive.com/local/regional/gov-wolf-neighboring-states-work-on-regional-plan-to- reopen-economy/ .  Governor Wolf will be addressing all Pennsylvanians about his Plan for PA. This plan will encompass his efforts to date, and his forward looking vision for Pennsylvania as we move through the Covid-19 crisis and begin to focus on recovery. His remarks can be viewed at www.governor.pa.gov/live and will begin at 2pm. Regional Coronavirus Updates

 Pittsburgh International Airport o A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) worker at Pittsburgh international Airport has tested positive for coronavirus, according to the TSA website. The worker was a screening officer and last worked on April 25.

Federal Coronavirus Updates.

 United States House of Representatives o The U.S. House of Representatives is set on Friday to debate and vote on a $3 trillion Democratic bill aimed at saving the heavy human and economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic that has caused almost 85,000 U.S. deaths and shut much of the economy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her fellow Democrats crafted the far-reaching legislation that Senate Republicans have promised will be “dead on arrival” in their chamber. The House measure includes $500 billion in aid to state governments, another round of direct payments to individuals and families to help stimulate the ailing economy, and hazard pay to healthcare workers and others on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic. If passed, it would double the amount of spending that Congress has authorized since March to fight the coronavirus. The White House has threatened to veto, but the president has left the door open to additional measures in the future to spur the economy, including direct aid to Americans. o Speaker Pelosi urged her caucus during a Member call today to “build our environment” by going straight to the public to garner support. Members have been advised to be on the lookout for a call to return for a vote this Friday. The Speaker highlighted Items in the House Democratic bill, which could be released imminently: . Three Pillars for the legislation: . Open up the economy by testing, tracing, treatment, isolation . Honor those on the front lines . Put money in the pockets of the American people . Aid to states and cities . Safe work environment . Hazard pay for front-line workers . Extension of unemployment insurance . More direct payments to individuals o As for some Republicans balking at further stimulus because of the cost, the Speaker referred to the $2.3 billion TCJA package that is estimated to have added $1.5T to the federal deficit, characterizing it as a package that disproportionately benefited the wealthy. She said the head of the Federal Reserve advised them to “go big” - that money will never be cheaper with the current low interest rates. She views the stimulus measure as an investment in people and a stimulus to the economy. Re: the GOP priority for liability protection, her response was that the best protection for employers is to provide space/safety in the workplace It goes without saying that this is not going to be a bipartisan bill. o Healthcare workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic would have some of their student loan debt forgiven under a new bill introduced in Congress. The "Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act," introduced by New York Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney on Tuesday, would create a program that forgives federal and private loans obtained "to receive medical and professional training held by health care workers who have made significant contributions to COVID-19 patient care, medical research, testing and enhancing the capacity of the health care system to respond to this urgent crisis. Doctors, nurses, medical researchers, lab workers and other health care workers responding to the pandemic would be eligible along with others who are giving their support to fight the virus. o House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Monday April 27 that Congress might need to consider offering guaranteed income to some Americans to help the country recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Her comments came as House Democrats push forward to unveil a major new economic rescue bill in coming days. Democrats want to boost aid for cities and states, increase funding for nutrition assistance and raise financial support for individual Americans. The emerging Democratic bill is certain to run into opposition from most Senate Republicans, and could set off a fierce ideological and partisan battle about how much further the federal government should go in its response to the novel coronavirus as the nation’s economy reels heading into the election. o The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday April 23 to approve a roughly $480 billion package to deliver aid to small businesses and hospitals and expand COVID-19 testing. The vote was 388-5. The measure passed the Senate earlier this week and will now go to President Donald Trump, who has expressed support for the legislation and indicated that he will sign it. The bill authorizes an additional $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, $75 billion for hospitals and health care providers to address coronavirus expenses and lost revenue and $25 billion to facilitate and expand COVID-19 testing. o The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday April23 to establish a new panel with broad authority to oversee the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic. The vote was 212-182. The panel, which will be a select investigative subcommittee of the House Oversight Committee, will have far-reaching power to investigate how the trillions of dollars already approved by Congress for coronavirus relief are being used. It will be able to issue subpoenas, review US preparedness for the crisis and examine decisions about the crisis within the administration. o A new bill being proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives could allow Americans to forgo their mortgage and rent payments through the duration of the coronavirus crisis in the United States, according to reports. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act on Friday. All Americans would be eligible regardless of income and would provide full rent and mortgage forgiveness at their place of residence for up to a year.  United State Senate o The Republican chairman of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee will step down while an insider trading inquiry is carried out. Richard Burr of North Carolina said he had decided to do so because he did not want the investigation to distract the committee from its work. Mr. Burr's phone has been seized by the FBI as part of the inquiry. The senator, who denies wrongdoing, allegedly used inside information to avoid market losses from coronavirus.

o The Senate appears to be feeling no particular sense of pressure to act quickly. Senate Majority Leader McConnell continues to churn through nominations as White House officials say they want to wait a bit to see how prior stimulus legislation and the reopening of the economy shake out before they move on more stimulus. Leader McConnell also appears in sync with this approach, saying he is in constant communication with the White House and “if we decide to go forward we’ll go forward together.” Citing concerns about the deficit, Republicans generally favor an emphasis on recovery based on reopening the economy rather than relying on aid to businesses and individuals. Waiting a while before taking action will also give time for various factors to play out, including the effect of reopening states on the rate of infections, hospitalizations and deaths, and the incidence and outcomes of the cases of children testing positive for COVID-19 and becoming seriously ill. These outcomes could pivot the discussion one way or another. Bottom line, there is a very good chance that we will not see another round of stimulus legislation before Memorial Day. o U. S. senators returned to the Capitol from their home states today Monday May 4, more than five weeks after their last formal gathering and roll call votes. That means up to 100 senators — along with their staffs, support workers, visitors and others — will return to the Capitol building, with some new health guidelines. o The Senate will return on Monday, May 4 after an extended recess amid the coronavirus pandemic, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced. The GOP leader said the Senate will "modify" its routines but will not try to legislate long-distance anymore. "We will honor our constitutional duty to the American people and conduct critical business in person," he said o The Senate approved a $484 billion coronavirus relief package on Tuesday April 21 that would revive a depleted loan program for distressed small businesses and provide funds for hospitals and coronavirus testing, breaking a partisan impasse over the latest infusion of federal money to address the public health and economic crisis brought on by the pandemic. The measure was the product of an intense round of negotiations between Democrats and the Trump administration that unfolded as the small-business loan program created by the $2.2 trillion stimulus law quickly ran out of funding, collapsing under a glut of applications from desperate companies struggling to stay afloat.  White House

o The Trump administration will not issue a midyear update to its economic forecasts this summer, breaking decades of tradition amid the uncertainty of a pandemic recession, administration officials confirmed on Thursday May 28. The decision will spare the administration from having to reveal its internal projections for how deeply the recession will damage economic growth and how long the pain of high unemployment will persist. When the administration last published official projections in February, it forecast economic growth of 3.1 percent from the fourth quarter of 2019 to the fourth quarter of 2021, and growth rates at or around 3 percent for the ensuing decade. It forecast an unemployment rate of 3.5 percent for the year. The virus has rendered those projections obsolete. Unemployment could hit 20 percent in June, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told CNN this week. The Congressional Budget Office said in April that it expects the economy will contract by 5.6 percent this year and end with unemployment above 11 percent. o The President announced yesterday, and confirmed by the vice-president today, that the Coronavirus Task Force will disband later this month in favor of a group focused on reopening the economy. Earlier today, Wednesday May 6, he stated that his coronavirus task force would continue indefinitely o Presidential Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow said the administration is “pursuing some kind of liability safeguard program” for businesses that reopen that would protect them from coronavirus-related lawsuits. There would be exceptions for gross negligence. o President Trump said Tuesday April 21 he would sign legislation pending in Congress to replenish a small business loan program that’s been overrun by demand and also boost spending for hospitals and coronavirus testing. Final text was still being reviewed ahead of a scheduled 4 p.m. vote in the Senate, but Trump’s tweet endorsed those efforts. The $484 billion legislation would increase funding for the Paycheck Protection Program by $310 billion, boost a separate small business emergency grant and loan program by $60 billion, and direct $75 billion to hospitals and $25 billion to a new coronavirus testing program. o Senior White House and Trump administration officials are planning to launch a sweeping effort in the coming days to repeal or suspend federal regulations affecting businesses, with the expected executive action seen by advisers as a way to boost an economy facing its worst shock in generations, two people familiar with the internal planning said. The White House-driven initiative is expected to center on suspending federal regulations for small businesses and expanding an existing administration program that requires agencies to revoke two regulations for every new one they issue, the two people said. While the plan remains in flux, changes could affect environmental policy, labor policy, workplace safety and health care, among other areas. o President Trump announced a series of guidelines to help states reopen when the worst of the coronavirus threat has passed. Under the guidelines, if a state records a 14-day decrease in cases and is able to return hospitals to pre-crisis conditions, then social distancing measures recommended by the CDC can be lifted. Ultimately, governors still decide when and how states reopen. More governors seem to be getting behind coalition-style plans. Seven Midwestern governors from Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky announced they will work together to reopen their economies.

o U.S. Department of the Treasury - Glitches prevent $1,200 stimulus checks from reaching millions of Americans. Several million people who filed their taxes via H&R Block, TurboTax and other popular services were unable to get their payments. Some parents reported they didn’t get the $500 promised for their dependent children. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has instructed the Internal Revenue Service to get payments out as fast as possible to help offset the pain of losing jobs and shutting down businesses, but numerous glitches — affecting filers who used tax preparers, parents of dependent children and people with 2019 tax returns still to be processed — are delaying payments and causing confusion. o Department of Transportation - S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao on Tuesday, April 14 announced that the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is making over $1 billion available to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to support the railroad’s activities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States and its impacts on operations and business. The funding is being provided under the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. o Federal Courthouses in the Western District of Pennsylvania - Those entering federal courthouses in the Western District of Pennsylvania will have to wear face coverings, according to an order issued Tuesday April 21 by Chief Judge Mark R. Hornak. Hornak said the order is meant to protect the health and safety of those doing business in the courthouses. Anyone attempting to enter one of the three courthouses — in Pittsburgh, Erie and Johnstown — without a face covering will be stopped by security officers, who will check if the visitor’s business can be handled without entering the building. o U.S. Department of Justice - Scott Brady, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, stated that the Justice Department has launched an investigation into two foreign entities suspected of trying to defraud U.S. healthcare companies out of millions of dollars as they work to respond to the growing number of coronavirus patients. Brady said the fraud was disrupted before any funds were transferred. o Labor Department - Another 2.1 million new unemployment claims were filed last week, the Labor Department reported Thursday May 28, pushing the total past 40 million since the coronavirus pandemic grabbed hold in mid-March. The report marks the eighth week in a row that new jobless filings dipped from their peak of almost 6.9 million, but the level is still far above historic highs. The latest claims may not only be a result of fresh layoffs, but also evidence that states are working their way through a backlog. State unemployment offices that manage and distribute benefits have been stretched by the scale of the layoffs. And overcounting in some places and undercounting in others has made it difficult to precisely measure the number of layoffs caused by the pandemic — and devise policy responses — as shutdowns lift and state and local economies start to reopen. Shelter-in-place orders and business restrictions have been lifting across the country, and some workers have been called back to work. But the reopenings remain bumpy and incomplete, and flare-ups of the coronavirus continue to disrupt business. o -The American economy continues to stagger under the weight of the coronavirus pandemic, with another 3.8 million workers filing for unemployment benefits last week. The figures announced Thursday by the Labor Department bring the number of workers joining the official jobless ranks in the last six weeks to more than 30 million, and underscore just how dire economic conditions remain. If anything, according to many economists, the job losses may be far worse than government figures indicate. A study by the Economic Policy Institute found that roughly 50 percent more people than counted as filing claims in a recent four-week period may have qualified for benefits but were stymied in applying or didn’t even try because they found the process too formidable. o U.S. Economy -The federal guidelines put in place to slow the spread of the virus by encouraging people to curtail nearly all public life are set to expire today and President Trump has indicated he has no intention of extending the measures as states across the country move ahead with a variety of plans to gradually reopen their economies. The devastating cascade of dismal financial news has increased pressure on all levels of government to restart commercial activity. Economists expect figures from the current quarter, which will capture the shutdown’s impact more fully, to show that G.D.P. contracted at an annual rate of 30 percent or more, a scale not seen since the Great Depression. o U.S. Department of Education U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced that nearly $1.4 billion in additional funding will be directed to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), as well as institutions serving low-income students to help ensure learning continues during the coronavirus national emergency. This funding is part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) Fund. Institutions may use this funding to cover the cost of technology associated with a transition to distance education, grants to cover the costs of attendance for eligible students, and faculty and staff trainings. Additionally, funds may be used to cover operational costs, such as lost revenue, reimbursements for prior expenses and payroll. o Department of Health and Human Services - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is processing payments from the Provider Relief Fund to hospitals with large numbers of COVID-19 inpatient admissions through April 10, 2020, and to rural providers in support of the national response to COVID-19 which will include 17 providers in Pennsylvania. o The Federal Reserve announced it will reveal the names of companies that borrow under its emergency lending programs on a monthly basis. It will include the names of participants, how much they borrowed and at what rate, and the overall costs, revenue and fees for each emergency facility. The transparency pledge covers roughly $2.3 trillion in emergency loans that the central bank has said it will offer to large corporations, smaller businesses and municipal governments. Under another program, the Fed is attempting to boost consumers’ access to credit by lending to banks against collateral that includes bundled student loans, auto loans and credit card loans. Because the Fed isn’t set up to take on the risk of borrowers defaulting, the Treasury Department will cover any losses with the money set aside by Congress. o Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - With hundreds of millions of people still seeking advice on resuming their lives safely, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued six pages of recommendations Thursday to guide schools, businesses, day-care facilities and others into the next phase of the coronavirus pandemic. The six checklists — which also address restaurants, mass transit and camps — come days, and in some cases weeks, after many states have begun to lift restrictions on their own. The advice is less detailed than draft recommendations the agency sent to the White House for review last month. The nation is still awaiting that detailed technical guidance, which the White House has held up and not shared publicly. The delay has left the responsibility for decision-making about reopening to states and localities. It has also left many health experts clamoring for greater transparency.