Punxsutawney Borough declares COVID-19 disaster emergency

Punxsutawney, PA — Officials in Punxsutawney declared a disaster emergency to precaution residents of COVID-19.

According to Robert Santik, Punxsutawney Borough manager, the borough building is closed off to the public but all operations are running as normal.

He says they do not want to raise any more concern than necessary.

In the event that COVID-19 does hit Punxsutawney, Santik says they will plan to rotate crew members in and out.

If it gets to the point where the virus is actively spreading in the area, he says they will shut down everything and only respond in the event of an emergency.

Currently, the Punxsutawney Community Center is locked down and the Punxsutawney Area Hospital is locked down from visitors.

Officials say a call center is available at the hospital for residents to get phone screened if they're experiencing respiratory symptoms.

The area hospital also has COVID-19 testing available but first the test has to be ordered by a doctor.

Officials are urging the public to use social distancing and extra precautions are also being taken with first responders.

“If you do see the fire department out in protective suits they are only doing it for precautionary reasons. When they are dispatched they are dispatched through county, and the county does not know the situation. So they [firefighters] are going to respond appropriately for the situation," said Bill Williams, Borough Council President.

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