Senior centers in Dauphin County begin closing in response to COVID-19

HARRISBURG, PA (March 13, 2020) – To protect older adults who are at-risk for COVID-19, Dauphin County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Mike Pries and George P. Hartwick, III are working with area senior centers to begin closing their doors temporarily. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease have a higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.

The following senior centers have closed until further notice:

“Nothing is more important that the health and safety of our residents,” said Hartwick, who oversees the county’s Area Agency on Aging. 

“Earlier this week, we proactively reached out to all our staff, providers and volunteers and clients of the Area Agency on Aging and provided safety tips and instructions to prevent COVID-19. Now, we’re taking an unprecedented step of asking them to close.”

Although there are no reports of COVID-19 cases in Dauphin County at this time, the commissioners and public safety officials continue to monitor COVID-19; coordinate with local, state and federal partners; and take action based upon state and federal guidelines.

“Recognizing that COVID-19 has significantly impacted adults age 60 and older, we’re doing all we can to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus,” said Haste. “We stand ready to assist senior centers with continuing critical services like hot meals for those in need.”

Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying. Symptoms of the COVID-19 can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure.

“If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or a serious long-term health problem, it’s incredibility important for you to minimize your risk of getting sick,” said Pries.

The commissioners expect to announce more senior center closures soon. 

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 and the county’s response, visitwww.DauphinCounty.org/coronavirus.

For safety tips and the latest information, visitwww.health.pa.gov or www.cdc.gov.