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Coronavirus

The latest reporting on the Pennsylvania state government's response to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

In June, the legislature voted to force Wolf to end the state’s COVID-19 disaster declaration, which greatly expanded the Democratic governor’s powers.

Thwarted at every turn, Pa. GOP lawmakers hatch new plan to curtail Wolf’s emergency powers

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Advocates say prisons and jails need to release more inmates to ensure proper social distancing. Protesters rallied in Philadelphia this April to make that demand.

Review of COVID-19’s effect on communities of color largely ignores Pa. inmates

by Joseph Darius Jaafari of Spotlight PA

State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D., Chester) questioned whether the state's recommendations, in reality, operate as mandates because districts are concerned about being sued.

Pa. lawmakers concerned ‘guidance’ for schools could open the door to COVID-19 lawsuits

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Early on in the pandemic, Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine cited a decades-old law as a reason for withholding the number of COVID-19 tests the state was conducting and the number of cases in nursing homes. She later reversed course.

A decades-old law is shielding the Wolf administration from scrutiny of its coronavirus response

by Aneri Pattani of Spotlight PA

The PCR test is the current gold-standard for detecting active coronavirus infections. Pennsylvania wants to expand the use of another, less precise test — known as an antigen test — to combat delays in getting test results.

Are antigen tests the silver bullet to Pa.’s coronavirus testing delays? Not so fast.

by Sara Simon of Spotlight PA

Spotlight PA reporter Sara Simon breaks down some of the most pressing questions about the coronavirus in Pennsylvania.

WATCH: Answers to the most frequently asked questions about COVID-19 in Pennsylvania

by Sara Simon, Yaasmeen Piper and Kent Wilhelm of Spotlight PA

Penn State officials said Thursday they never intended a student agreement regarding the coronavirus to be a waiver of the university's potential liability.

Penn State reverses course, plans to provide modified COVID-19 agreement for students

by Sara Simon of Spotlight PA

Many rehab patients in Pennsylvania are forced to choose between going to treatment and risking getting the virus, or staying at home and struggling with substance use alone.

Inside some Pennsylvania rehabs, ‘it’s like COVID doesn’t exist’

by Aneri Pattani of Spotlight PA

Penn State, which plans to hold in-person classes for the fall semester, is requiring all students to sign a waiver freeing the university of any responsibility should they contract COVID-19 while on campus.

Students at Penn State forced to sign COVID-19 liability waiver to participate in fall semester

by Sara Simon of Spotlight PA

One major pain point in Congress’ current negotiations is whether the feds will provide any additional money to states.

How arguments in Washington are holding up coronavirus relief in Pennsylvania

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Through a patchwork system of state health nurses, county health departments, and nonprofits, there are about 650 people currently doing contact tracing in Pennsylvania.

Pa. cancels on volunteer coronavirus contact tracers, moves to hire 1,000 paid staff

by Sara Simon of Spotlight PA and Sarah Gantz of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Pent-up demand from shoppers (like those seen here at the King of Prussia Mall) buoyed sales taxes.

Tax collections in Pa. rebound on pent-up shopper demand, but state still faces huge budget deficit

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

The money will fund a pilot program in the Capitol Complex with “superior results in comparison with standard cleaning and disinfection methods.”

Pa. pursuing huge cleaning plan for Capitol Complex after custodial worker tests positive for the coronavirus

by Julia Shanahan for Spotlight PA

Karen Sawyer, seen here at The Party Palooza in York, is the kind of small business owner the state is trying to reach with a new grant program. Still, she hasn't applied.

Minority-owned small businesses were largely shut out of Pa.’s first coronavirus loan program

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

Rep. Russ Diamond (seen here at a Capitol demonstration on May 15, 2020) has been one of the loudest opponents of a Wolf administration order requiring most people to wear a mask while in public.

Lawmaker mimics top health official’s call for transgender acceptance to defend not wearing a mask

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Julia Shanahan for Spotlight PA

Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said transphobic remarks and actions hurt all LGBTQ Pennsylvanians.

Pa. health secretary denounces transphobic attacks: ‘Our children are watching’

by Sara Simon of Spotlight PA

Original illustration for data confusion story.

Death reports are still lagging. Pa. hasn’t made it easy to find out just how badly.

by Sara Simon of Spotlight PA

Gov. Tom Wolf said he supports transparency, but argued the bill was flawed.

Gov. Tom Wolf will allow transparency bill to become law despite veto threat

by Julia Shanahan for Spotlight PA

Contact tracing has been a challenge for Pennsylvania throughout the pandemic.

Citing ‘overwhelming’ spread, Pa. moves to add staff, app to trace the coronavirus

by Aneri Pattani of Spotlight PA and Sara Simon of Spotlight PA

In recent weeks, Gov. Tom Wolf (seen here in Harrisburg on July 9) has repeatedly justified the decision, saying he provided ample warning to counties.

Gov. Tom Wolf cited his emergency powers to withhold millions from a Pa. county. Now it's suing.

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Sen. Tom Killion (R., Delaware), seen here in the Capitol in December 2019, plans to introduce a bill that would provide additional financial assistance to individuals and small businesses.

More help may be on the way for Pennsylvanians struggling to pay utility bills

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

The debate surrounding how the state should handle the coronavirus pandemic has descended into an all-out interbranch war.

Pa. lawmakers want voters to weaken governor’s emergency powers, boost their own

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Gov. Tom Wolf is expected to announce new coronavirus restrictions at a 3:30 p.m. news conference.

Gov. Tom Wolf imposes new restrictions on bars, restaurants, businesses as the coronavirus surges

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Justine McDaniel of The Philadelphia Inquirer

State Sen. Anthony Williams, seen here at the Delaware County Courthouse, said in a statement he is following recommended health guidelines.

Pa. Democratic state senator tests positive for the coronavirus

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

UPMC has at times found itself at odds with state and local officials over the coronavirus.

UPMC’s claim of ‘less severe’ coronavirus strain in Pa. is not supported by science

by Sara Simon of Spotlight PA

“Estoy tomando esta medida para ayudar a las familias a que sepan que tendrán un techo y un lugar para vivir mientras todos luchamos contra la pandemia de COVID-19”, dijo Wolf en un comunicado.

Pa. emite nueva moratoria de desalojo tras temores de que el alivio de pagos de alquiler sería demasiado lento

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

"I am taking this action to help families know they will have a roof over their heads and a place to live while all of us fight the COVID-19 pandemic," Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement.

Pa. issues new eviction moratorium after fears rent relief would be too slow

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

Asked at a press conference Monday whether he would extend the eviction moratorium, Gov. Tom Wolf said he was “not ready to say anything.”

Evictions loom large as Pa. renter relief program stumbles, lacks Spanish-language application

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

Philadelphia paused some aspects of its plan for reopening, delaying the start of indoor dining until at least Aug. 1.

A promising year for Pennsylvania’s state budget ends with a $3.2 billion thud

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

In March, Gov. Tom Wolf issued the emergency order as Pennsylvania began reporting its first COVID-19 infections.

Pa. GOP can’t unilaterally end Gov. Tom Wolf’s coronavirus disaster declaration, state Supreme Court rules

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

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