COVID-19 Information & Resources
COVID-19 Vaccine Virtual Town Hall
State Senators Lindsey Williams and Judy Schwank joined State Representatives Joanna McClinton and Sara Innamorato for a telephone town hall hosted by the State Innovation Exchange (SiX) to discuss COVID-19 legislation.
Senator Lindsey Williams Hosted a Telephone Town Hall on COVID-19
Department of Health Resources
LIVE daily briefings from the PA Department of Health:
pacast.com/live/doh or www.governor.pa.gov/live/ or watch on Facebook
COVID-19
The spread of COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving situation statewide and in Allegheny County. Below, please find links to local, regional and state sites that can help you navigate health recommendations, closures, and resources.
Economic Assistance:
- Information for PA Employees Impacted by COVID-19
- U.S. Small Business Administration: COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
- Hebrew Free Loan Association’s Coronavirus Financial Bridge Loan Program
- Business Resources from the PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development
- Emergency assistance to service industry employees who are parents
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- PA Chamber of Commerce
- Honeycomb Crowdfunded Small Business Relief Loan
- Pittsburgh Foundation: Emergency Action Fund
- COVID-19 Unemployment Compensation Guidance & Resources
- The University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (resources, technical assistance, and webinars)
Federal Information
- FAQ – Federal Stimulus Package (U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb)
- Federal Resources (U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle)
- Emergency Family & Medical Leave Expansion Act and Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (U.S. Dept. of Labor)
- IRS Information
- CDC
- CDC Coronavirus Self Checker Tool (click on the orange self-checker box in the lower right hand corner of the page)
- U.S. Treasury Department (Paycheck Protection Program and other resources for small businesses)
- U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship – The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
- How to make a homemade mask
Seniors
- COVID-19 Resource Guide for Older Pennsylvanians (PA Department of Aging)
- Call the Allegheny County SeniorLine at 412-350-5460 for information on services and assistance for seniors
- Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) Program can help older adult enrollees with prescription refill extensions
- Pittsburgh Senior News
State Information
- Apply for a mail in ballot for the April 28 primary
- PA 211
- COVID-19 & the Census
- Covid-19 Community Preparedness and Procedures Materials
- PA Government general guidance and information
- Guidance for Pet Owners
- Child Care Centers for Life-Sustaining Workers
- PA Department of Revenue Online Customer Service Center
- PennDOT Services (Drivers Licenses, Real ID Extension, etc…)
- Consumer Protection Alerts (PA Attorney General)
- PA Higher Education Assistance Agency COVID-19 Information
- Mental Health Support & Referral Helpline: 1-855-284-2494 (for TTY, dial 724-631-5600)
- Report price gouging to PA Attorney General’s Office: pricegouging@attorneygeneral.gov
- Unemployment Rights and Resources (PA Attorney General)
Regional Information
- Allegheny County Department of Health (24/7 hotline with United Way: 1-888-856-2774)
- Responding to COVID-19 Rumors (Allegheny County)
- Port Authority
- Pittsburgh International Airport
- Allegheny Conference of Community Development
Education Resources
- Allegheny County Intermediate Unit
- Free active learning platform for children at home
- School Guidance/Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Social Services
Latest News
Pennsylvania COVID-19 Vaccination Update for March 19: Pace Accelerating, More Than 4 Million Vaccinations Administered, More Than 1.4 Million People Fully Vaccinated
Governor Tom Wolf and Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today detailed the state’s vaccination rollout progress as the process accelerates and Pennsylvania outperforms its peer states. “The pace of vaccinations in Pennsylvania is accelerating each day,” Gov. Wolf...
PENNSYLVANIA NASP PROGRAM STAYS ON TARGET DURING PANDEMIC
HARRISBURG, PA - In a year that has been anything but typical for students across the state, Pennsylvania’s National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) has helped to keep student archers safely shooting their bows throughout the 2020-21 school year. The...
Gov. Wolf: Teacher and School Staff Vaccinations are Ahead of Schedule
Approximately two weeks after Governor Tom Wolf and the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force announced the voluntary single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine would be administered to Pre-K to 12 educators and school staff, the special initiative is ahead of schedule and...
Gov. Wolf Highlights COVID-19 PA Hazard Pay Grant Program at Brookings Panel Discussion on Essential Workers
Gov. Tom Wolf today highlighted the importance of supporting front line workers who put their health and lives on the line to provide essential services throughout the pandemic during an online event “Essential Workers: One Year into the COVID-19 Pandemic” hosted by...
Pennsylvania COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard Update for March 5-11: Case Increases at 12,483; Percent Positivity at 5.7% and 21 Counties with Substantial Transmission
Governor Tom Wolf and Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System dashboard, highlighting a seven-day case increase of 12,483 a...
Department Of Health Updates Order To Connect Everyone Currently Eligible For COVID-19 Vaccine To Appointments
Harrisburg, PA - Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today signed an updated order making March 31 the date by which all vaccine providers should have Phase 1A-eligible Pennsylvanians’ vaccine appointments scheduled. The amended orderalso requires...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: More Than 3.7 Million Vaccinations To Date
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., March 16, there were 3,119 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 970,717. There are 1,450 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that...
Wolf Administration Expands Partnership With Rite Aid Pharmacy To Vaccinate Pennsylvanians Enrolled In Long-Term Services And Supports Programs
Harrisburg, PA - Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today announced that Pennsylvania will expand its partnership with Rite Aid Pharmacy to vaccinate 9,000 individuals with physical disabilities and older Pennsylvanians...
Wolf Administration Receives Approval For Plan To Provide Food Assistance To Families Of Nearly 1 Million Pennsylvania Children
Harrisburg, PA - The Wolf Administration has received approval from the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue more than $1 billion in federally-funded benefits to the families of nearly 1 million Pennsylvania children who...
Department Of Health Highlights February 2021 Nursing Home Inspection, Sanction Information Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg, PA - In its February 2021 report, the Pennsylvania Department of Health notes that nursing home surveyors conducted 497 inspections, including 283 complaint investigations, of 377 separate nursing homes. Of these, 162 were COVID-19-specific...
Gov. Wolf: Effective April 4, More Options for Restaurants and Other Businesses, Mass Gathering Maximums Increase
As COVID-19 cases have declined and vaccination rates are climbing, Governor Tom Wolf today announced the lifting of some targeted restrictions on restaurants and other businesses, as well as increased gathering limits. Effective April 4, restaurants may resume bar...
Department Of Health Provides Update On COVID-19: More Than 3.6 Million Vaccinations To Date
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., March 15, there were 1,388 additional positive cases of COVID-19, in addition to 1,914 new cases reported Sunday, March 14, for a two-day total of 3,302 additional positive...
Resources
Economic Assistance:
- Information for PA Employees Impacted by COVID-19
- U.S. Small Business Administration: COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
- Hebrew Free Loan Association’s Coronavirus Financial Bridge Loan Program
- Business Resources from the PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development
- Emergency assistance to service industry employees who are parents
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- PA Chamber of Commerce
- Honeycomb Crowdfunded Small Business Relief Loan
- Pittsburgh Foundation: Emergency Action Fund
- COVID-19 Unemployment Compensation Guidance & Resources
- The University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (resources, technical assistance, and webinars)
Federal Information
- FAQ – Federal Stimulus Package (U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb)
- Federal Resources (U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle)
- Emergency Family & Medical Leave Expansion Act and Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (U.S. Dept. of Labor)
- IRS Information
- CDC
- CDC Coronavirus Self Checker Tool (click on the orange self-checker box in the lower right hand corner of the page)
- U.S. Treasury Department (Paycheck Protection Program and other resources for small businesses)
- U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship – The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
- How to make a homemade mask
Seniors
- COVID-19 Resource Guide for Older Pennsylvanians (PA Department of Aging)
- Call the Allegheny County SeniorLine at 412-350-5460 for information on services and assistance for seniors
- Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) Program can help older adult enrollees with prescription refill extensions
- Pittsburgh Senior News
State Information
- Apply for a mail in ballot for the April 28 primary
- PA 211
- COVID-19 & the Census
- Covid-19 Community Preparedness and Procedures Materials
- PA Government general guidance and information
- Guidance for Pet Owners
- Child Care Centers for Life-Sustaining Workers
- PA Department of Revenue Online Customer Service Center
- PennDOT Services (Drivers Licenses, Real ID Extension, etc…)
- Consumer Protection Alerts (PA Attorney General)
- PA Higher Education Assistance Agency COVID-19 Information
- Mental Health Support & Referral Helpline: 1-855-284-2494 (for TTY, dial 724-631-5600)
- Report price gouging to PA Attorney General’s Office: pricegouging@attorneygeneral.gov
- Unemployment Rights and Resources (PA Attorney General)
Regional Information
- Allegheny County Department of Health (24/7 hotline with United Way: 1-888-856-2774)
- Responding to COVID-19 Rumors (Allegheny County)
- Port Authority
- Pittsburgh International Airport
- Allegheny Conference of Community Development
Education Resources
- Allegheny County Intermediate Unit
- Free active learning platform for children at home
- School Guidance/Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Social Services
Medical
Testing services for COVID-19
- You will need a prescription from your doctor, and some providers are able to offer services virtually/over the phone.
- If you’re going to any medical facility in person, call before you go.
- If you don’t have a fever, you’re not eligible for a screening… even if you’ve been traveling internationally, had a known exposure, etc.
- For testing:
- Allegheny County Health Department
- State Hotline for COVID-19
- No provider? Call: 1-877-PA-HEALTH
- Have clinical questions? Call: 1-877-PA-HEALTH
Insurance Questions
- All Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP recipients will have testing and treatment covered.’
- UPMC, Highmark, and Aetna will waive applicable deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing when ordered by a member’s treating medical provider.
- Uninsured: refer to Metro Health Clinic (sliding scale); iHealth Clinic in East Liberty ($35 flat fee)
Democracy:
- Absentee and Mail-in Ballots: https://www.votespa.com/Voting-in-PA/Pages/Mail-and-Absentee-Ballot.aspx
Local Community Resources
| Community Org | Contact | Services and resources |
| Lawrenceville United | 412-802-7220; Dave@LUnited.org or info@LUnited.org | ● Lawrenceville “buddy system” for older adults or high-risk population sign-up
● Food box available for pick-up on Fridays (donations from Whole Foods Market and 412 Food Rescue)–call before noon to arrange a pickup
● Housing assistance |
| Bloomfield Development Corp. | (412) 681-8800; sam@bloomfieldpgh.org | ● Assistance getting groceries or prescriptions to neighbors in need |
| Bloomfield Mutual Aid | ● Bloomfield Mutual Aid Facebook Group
|
● Providing neighbor-to-neighbor services and support |
| City of Pittsburgh – all neighborhoods | ● Pittsburgh Mutual Aid Spreadsheet | ● Providing neighbor-to-neighbor services and support |
| Sharpsburg Neighborhood Org | ● Sharpsburg Urgent Needs Assessment Survey | ● Providing neighbor-to-neighbor services and support |
| North Hills Community Outreach | (412) 408-3830 ; 412-487-6316 | ● Emergency food services |
Service Industry and Small Businesses
| Organization | Contact | Details |
| USBG Emergency Fund | https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap | Grants available for all FOH staff |
| Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE) | https://coregives.org/ | Provides emergency assistance to service industry employees who are parents |
| Urban Redevelopment Authority of PIttsburgh | https://www.ura.org/news/ura-offering-resources-to-help-small-businesses-potentially-impacted-by-coronavirus | Small business resources for those impacted by COVID-19 |
| Kiva Loan | 0% interest up to $15,000 crowd-sourced loan; look | |
Childcare
| Organization | Contact | Details |
| Circles – Greater Pittsburgh | Tammy Thompson | If you need a babysitter in order to go to work, please contact Tammy Thompson via email: tthompson@Circlespgh.org
Please provide the following: 1. Number of children you need care for 2. Age of child/children 3. The hours that you need care for them 4. Name of Employer 5. Community that you live in
|
Older Adults
| Organization | Contact | Services |
| SeniorLine of Allegheny County | 412-350-5460 | SeniorLine staff members are highly-skilled care managers who will answer your questions, or help you begin the process of receiving services. |
| Meals On Wheels of Greater Pittsburgh | 412-350-5460 or 412-350-4234 (after hours, weekends and holidays). | You must first call the Allegheny County Senior Line to determine your eligibility and get your meals started. This is your single point of entry. Be prepared to complete a short assessment over the phone. |
Food/Nutrition
| Organization | Contact | Information |
| Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank | (412) 460-3663 | |
| Pittsburgh Public Schools Students | For Pittsburgh students that depend on our school breakfast & lunch program, Grab & Go meals will be available at all 54 PPS school locations from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Monday through Friday. Students are instructed to go to the school location closest to their home. | |
| 412 Food Rescue | 412.407.5287 | |
| Just Harvest | (9am-5pm) at (412) 431-8960 x602. | Assistance with SNAP and WIC benefit processing and applications |
College Students
| Organization | Contact | Details |
| Pitt Mutual Aid Society | Request housing, storage of belongings, etc | |
| CMU Mutual Aid | To help our students and peers cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, this form allows students to identify needs and other members of the CMU community to offer support. This is not an official CMU program — it is a mutual-aid project of CMU community members. | |
Freelance/Artists
Financial Support
| Organization | Contact | Details |
| Hebrew Free Loan Association – Pittsburgh | http://hflapgh.org/ | Providing interest-free loans for those in need of a financial “bridge” to cover lost wages, childcare costs, businesses losses, and other challenges. |
| Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HUD) | +1 877-350-4777 | The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program will provide financial assistance and services to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless and help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized. The funds under this program are intended to target individuals and families who would be homeless but for this assistance |
| Pittsburgh Presbyterian Lazarus | 412-323-1400 | Can offer at most $250 in one time assistance to help with rental evictions, pay utility bills, and even such expenses as medical bills |
| Veterans Leadership Program – Western PA | (412) 481-8200 | Administers the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF). Veterans and their families can receive government grants to pay rent and information on permanent housing placement. Other programs include funds for security deposits for the homeless, transportation, shelter, and more. |
Education
| Organization | Link/Contact | Details |
| Scholastic Learn-from-home | https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html | Subscriptions offering free educational programming for students home from school |
| Harm Reduction – Vital Strategies | https://www.vitalstrategies.org/resources/practicing-harm-reduction-in-the-covid-19-outbreak/ | Practicing harm reduction strategies during outbreak |
| National Domestic Violence Hotline | https://www.thehotline.org/; | For any victims and survivors who need support, we are here for you, 24/7. Call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-799-7233 for TTY, or if you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522. |
| AA Live Phone Meetings | http://aaphonemeetings.org/ | Meetings are being held by conference call. |