Pa. Dept. of Health has released more information on the 21 new COVID-19 coronavirus diagnosed in Potter County between Saturday and Sunday. Eight were from the Coudersport area, four Harrison Township, four Ulysses area, two Austin area, and one each in Galeton, Shinglehouse and Roulette. A new DOH report also revealed that, entering Sunday, there were upwards of 200 active COVID-19 coronavirus cases in Potter County. These are defined as cases that were confirmed over the past 14 days, resulting in the carrier being advised to quarantine due to contagion. Of the active cases, more than half are in the Coudersport area. There are smaller clusters in the Ulysses, Galeton, Austin, Harrison Township, Roulette and Shinglehouse areas. Also between Saturday and Sunday, McKean County had 25 more cases; Tioga County 56 new cases; Allegany County, N.Y., 26 more cases; Cattaraugus County, N.Y., 128 new cases; Lycoming County, 162 more cases; Cameron County, three new cases; Elk County, 19 more cases; and Clinton County, 45 cases.
Potter County’s overall case count since the virus was detected now stands at 421 with 9 known fatalities. Other totals in the region: Tioga, 1,557 cases and 38 deaths; McKean, 1,032 cases and 6 fatalities; Cattaraugus, 1,722 cases and 28 deaths; Allegany, 1,407 cases and 64 fatalities; Clinton, 1,267 cases and 51 deaths; Elk, 855 cases and 11 fatalities; Cameron, 62 cases and two deaths; and Lycoming, 3,817 cases and 64 fatalities. Statewide, there have been 491,801 cases, an increase of 10,683 over the past 24 hours, with 12,565 deaths. The latter figure grew by 119 between Saturday and Sunday.
Gov. Tom Wolf announced new steps to combat the surge in coronavirus cases, including temporary measures to prohibit indoor dining in restaurants, the closure of casinos and theaters and a halt to scholastic sports. In a news conference, Wolf imposed other limits on all businesses serving the public, capping retailers, barber shops and salons and other businesses to 50% of indoor occupancy limits. More information can be found here.
Meanwhile, the Potter County Commissioners have joined with several agencies in organizing free drive-through COVID-19 coronavirus tests at a Coudersport site for five days, Dec. 27 to Dec. 31. A limited number of walk-ins will also be accommodated. Up to 450 tests will be administered per day for anyone age 3 or older. Additional details will be announced. Three testing sites for the COVID-19 coronavirus remain available in Coudersport. In addition to the testing site at UPMC Cole for physician-referred patients, tests are also being administered at Buchanan Brothers Pharmacy (visit the website here or call 1-800-635-8611 to complete an eligibility assessment) and Rite Aid Pharmacy (visit the website here or call 814-274-0439).
A Pa. Dept. of Health (DOH) report shows that UPMC Cole in Coudersport is currently treating 14 victims of the COVID-19 coronavirus, with one in the intensive care unit. Entering Sunday, all four of the hospital’s ventilators were available.
A recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control model has found that the actual number of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. could be about eight times as much as the total reported cases. Details can be found here.
