BETHLEHEM

VACCINATION CLINIC: Mayor Bob Donchez has announced the Bethlehem Health Bureau is partnering with the Wind Creek Event Center to deliver COVID-19 vaccine to individuals age 65 or older and individuals 18-64 years of age with certain medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus. The Bethlehem Health Bureau was in need of a venue large enough to accommodate those seeking vaccinations under the newly expanded 1A category. Beginning the week of Feb. 1, all vaccine clinics will be held at the Wind Creek Event Center. An email notification will be sent to everyone who scheduled an appointment in February to inform them of the change in clinic location.

When more vaccine becomes available, the Bethlehem Health Bureau will post a pre-registration form on their website at https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/Health-Bureau/Communicable-Diseases/COVID-19. The Bethlehem Health Bureau will be prioritizing appointments for City of Bethlehem, Northampton County and Lehigh County residents as well as individuals living in areas not serviced by a local public health department. Individuals residing in counties with a local public health department are asked to schedule appointments through their respective health department due to limited vaccine supply. Proof that individuals are eligible to receive a vaccine in the 1A phase will be required at the time of appointment. Individuals can contact the Bethlehem Health Bureau at 610-865-7083 with any questions.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

COUNTY PRISON: The Director of Corrections reports that, since the beginning of the outbreak last year, 171 inmates at the Northampton County Prison (NCP) have tested positive for COVID-19. One-hundred-sixty-three have finished their quarantine periods or are no longer in the institution; eight are currently in quarantine. Since March, NCP has conducted 2,144 tests for COVID-19 on inmates. All new inmates coming into the facility receive a test before they are transferred to General Population; residents are tested on a random basis.

Forty-nine NCP employees have tested positive for the virus since the start of the pandemic. Two are currently in quarantine.

To protect the health of inmates and staff, volunteers, visitors and tours were banned from the prison March 10, 2020. NCP has suspended all programs and is reevaluating when to restart those services. Inmates can contact their loved ones via phone, tablets or mail.

There are currently 515 inmates in residence at NCP. Thirty non-violent offenders have been granted extended furloughs.

PENNSYLVANIA

STATE UPDATE: The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed as of 12 a.m., Feb. 1, there were 2,854 additional positive cases of COVID-19, in addition to 3,985 new cases reported Sunday, Jan. 31 for a two-day total of 6,839 bringing the statewide total to 846,078.

There are 3,370 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 695 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

The trend in the 14-day moving average number of hospitalized patients per day has increased by nearly 3,500 since the end of September.

Statewide percent positivity for the week of Jan. 22-28 stood at 9.3 percent.

RESTAURANT ENFORCEMENT: The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from Jan. 18-24, 2021. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants, including social distancing, masking and occupancy limits.

These numbers include actions taken during routine food safety inspections and inspections prompted by consumer complaints.

From Jan. 18–24, the department’s Bureau of Food Safety performed 600 inspections, 33 of which were complaint-driven. All 33 complaints were related to COVID-19 mitigation measures. The department received 236 food facility COVID-19 related complaints, five of which were referred to local and county health jurisdictions.

Inspectors closed three restaurants by order after each was confirmed to be violating the Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health for Mitigation and Enforcement and Order of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for Mitigation, Enforcement and Immunity Protections issued Nov. 27, 2020 and refused to make corrections while the inspector was present.

PLCB ENFORCEMENT: Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 533 licensed liquor establishments from Friday, January 29 through Sunday, January 31 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include social distancing, masking, and other health and safety requirements of the liquor code.

Liquor Control Enforcement Officers issued 19 notices of violation and 22 warnings for failing to follow COVID-19 requirements.

Complaints regarding licensees not complying with COVID-19 mitigation mandates may be directed to the BLCE at 1-800-932-0602 or reported through the BLCE’s online complaint form.

COVID-19 ENFORCEMENT: The Department of State’s Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation (BEI) today released data related to COVID-19 enforcement actions from Jan. 17-Jan. 24. These numbers include actions taken during routine inspections and investigations prompted by consumer complaints.

From Jan. 17-Jan. 24, BEI performed 383 total inspections and opened 16 investigations during which COVID-19-specific compliance was a focus. This week, the Bureau distributed no warning letters and no compliance letters relating to COVID-19 mitigation efforts.