The U.S. Social Security Administration has created a new online tool for individuals with disabilities to complete required eligibility reviews. With the new tool, an individual who receives a request for an updated disability report in the mail may go online, complete the form, and sign it digitally.
Record High Testing of Over 49,500 PCR Tests
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2020
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., November 6, that there were 3,384 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 223,950. This is the highest daily increase of cases.
The most accurate daily data is available on the website with archived data also available.
The number of tests administered within the last seven days between October 30 and November 5 is 301,056 with 17,690 positive cases. There were 49,528 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m. on November 5. This is a record high number of PCR test results reported to the department.
There are 8,975 deaths attributed to COVID-19 with an increase of 38 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
There are 4,743 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 646 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.
There are 2,408,366 individuals who have tested negative to date. Of those who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows:
There are 1,599 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 351 patients are in the intensive care unit. Most of the patients hospitalized are age 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients aged 65 or older. More data is available here.
The department has seen significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics. Increases among 19 to 24-year-olds from April through November are available below:
In nursing and personal care homes, there are 27,104 resident cases of COVID-19 and 5,810 cases among employees for a total of 32,914 cases at 1,106 distinct facilities in 63 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,903 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.
Approximately 12,811 of our total cases are among health care workers.
Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon on November 5:
The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, and Graphics
All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online.
MEDIA CONTACT: Nate Wardle
Your input matters! The Department of Human Services (DHS) and other stakeholders are working on suggestions to improve Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP). Whether you use the program now or are eligible to use the program to get to your medical appointments, we welcome your feedback.
We invite you to attend one of the following three online sessions. You will hear more about the suggestions and have the chance to ask questions and give us your thoughts.
There are two ways to attend a session. You will receive more information closer to the date.
If you have questions about these sessions, please submit them here. Thank you for considering this opportunity to provide your opinion. We look forward to hearing from you.
On October 27, 2020, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) notified all providers that interim reporting of COVID-19 related costs under Act 24 would be due on November 6, 2020. Because of unforeseen delays in web portal user provisioning for OLTL providers and recognition that this delay may not allow enough time for providers to gather and report their data, OLTL has changed its reporting requirements. There will be no interim report required of non-nursing facility providers. In preparation for final reporting on the use of Act 24 funding, now due December 21, 2020, OLTL recommends that providers begin to populate the applicable Excel reporting template now.
OLTL will offer a webinar to give non-nursing facility providers a chance to ask questions about reporting COVID-19 related costs under Act 24. Information about the webinar, including date and time, will be issued in the near future.
As a reminder, providers are advised to review the guidance for eligible COVID-19 costs in DHS’s Frequently Asked Questions and on the following US Department of Treasury websites: Coronavirus-Relief-Fund-Guidance and Coronavirus-Relief-Fund-Frequently-Asked-Questions. These documents outline the conditions and acceptable uses of Cares Act and Act 24 funding. Most importantly, the deadline by which costs must be incurred to be eligible under Act 24 is November 30, 2020.
Any provider who does not expect to use all or part of the Act 24 funding may return the funds to OLTL at:
PA Department of Human Services
Office of Long-Term Living
PO Box 8025
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8025
Please send any remaining questions about OLTL Act 24 reporting here.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released updated Provider Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for phase 3 of the general distribution of provider funds. The document includes updated questions and answers. It also includes information on corrections of data entered by recipients after application submission, use of funds for salaries and employment compensation, reporting the calculation of lost revenues attributable to COVID-19, and defining the term “health care related expenses.”
November is Assistive Technology Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. To celebrate, the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation is hosting its sixth annual photo contest. They want you to Show Us Your Tech for a chance to win $500! Assistive technology doesn’t have to be complex or expensive to make a difference in your life.
Do you have a disability or health condition?
Then you’re most likely using assistive technology! It could be:
This contest is open to US residents of all ages.
What kind of assistive technology are you using to do the things you want to do?
Upload a photo of YOU using your assistive technology and write about it in the caption. Get your friends to vote for your photo for a chance to win up to $500!
Entries and voting are open from November 1 through November 30. Winners will be announced on December 4 by 12 pm.
Learn more about the contest here. To spread word about the contest to other communities, use the media toolkit.
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Service (CMS) are hosting a webinar discussing the experiences of home and community-based services payers and providers in altering their service delivery models in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Presenters will also discuss how they have addressed social determinants of health (SDOH). This webinar is part of a monthly webinar series highlighting Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) promising practices.
This webinar will be held on Thursday, November 12 from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm ET.
Click here to register
Phase 3 of the Department of Health and Human Services Provider Relief Fund closes NEXT Friday, November 6. The HHS Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has created a sheet describing the program and will host a webinar on Monday, November 2 at 3:00 pm Eastern. Disability service providers are eligible for lost revenue and expenses due to COVID-19 even if they have received a previous payment from the fund.
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