A patient with COVID-19 is being cared for at Mount Nittany Medical Center in Centre County, the first at the hospital, according to a news release.
The patient tested positive Wednesday evening. No other details were provided about the situation except that the patient is receiving care.
In a news release, Chief Medical Officer Nirmal Joshi said the center has "been preparing for months for this situation."
“Guided by our rigorous adherence to CDC procedures and protocols and the expertise of our Mount Nittany Health staff, proper protocols are in place for the patient’s care, and our facilities continue to be safe for our employees, providers and patients. The health and safety of our community, patients and staff is our highest priority," Joshi said.
Centre County has 28 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, according to Thursday's numbers from the state Department of Health. There are 7,016 cases in Pennsylvania, an increase of more than 1,200 from Wednesday.
Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said during Thursday's press conference that the state is speaking with the hospitals and health systems every day.
“We’re working with the hospitals, with the health systems, with the hospital associations to prepare for this surge, which all models say will occur over the next number of weeks or a month," Levine said.
Gov. Tom Wolf has put the entire state under stay-at-home orders and canceled K-12 schooling indefinitely.
“The most important thing we need to remember is to try to prevent the surge from potentially overwhelming our health care system," Levine said. "That is why prevention efforts and mitigation efforts the governor has put in place, including statewide stay-at-home order so important.”
Penn State Health has opened several drop-off locations where people can donate medical supplies. The initiative comes amid forecasts of medical supply shortages in hard-hit areas.
In a news release, Penn State Health CEO Steve Massini said, “Events are changing rapidly and we know we could experience shortage issues in the future.”
Wanted supplies include new and unused disposable exam gloves, surgical or medical masks, disinfecting wipes and thermometers. They do not want homemade face masks.
Drop-off points include the Benner Pike Clinic, 303 Benner Pike, State College.
