There were 466 more COVID-19 coronavirus cases and 12 more deaths related to the virus across the region between Saturday and Monday. Eleven of the new cases were in Potter County — 4 in the Austin area, 3 in Shinglehouse, 2 in Genesee and 1 each in Coudersport and Harrison Township. Also over the past 48 hours, there were 23 more cases and two more deaths in Tioga County; 45 cases and three deaths in McKean; 126 cases and 6 deaths in Lycoming; 4 cases in Cameron; 13 cases in Elk; 42 cases and one death in Clinton; 57 cases in Cattaraugus County, N.Y.; and 98 cases in Allegany County, N.Y. Entering Monday, overall case counts since the virus was detected stood as follows: Potter, 708 cases and 15 deaths; Tioga, 2,089 cases, 77 deaths; McKean, 2,090 cases, 33 deaths; Cattaraugus, 3,040 cases, 57 deaths; Allegany, 2,196 cases, 75 deaths; Clinton, 2,225 cases, 32 deaths; Elk, 1,675 cases, 23 deaths; Cameron, 187 cases, 4 deaths; and Lycoming, 6,909 cases, 148 deaths. Statewide in Pennsylvania, there have been 726,154 cases with 17,853 deaths.
Meanwhile, some 45 emergency medical services personnel from Potter County agencies received an initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday. Front-line health care providers and residents of skilled care facilities have also been inoculated. Some 198 Potter County residents have received the initial dose and another 24 have been administered the full dose. Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration on Friday issued updates to the state’s plan to roll out the coronavirus vaccines. Officials outlined the order in which certain groups, including seniors, those in critical professions, pregnant women and those with certain health challenges, will be able to get the vaccine. A summary of the phases in the vaccine distribution can be found here.
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).
While some of the temporary health and safety mandates implemented by the state government in mid-December expired last week, many restrictions remain in place:
- Child care providers must comply with conditions
- Congregate care restrictions in place
- Prison and hospital restrictions determined by individual facilities
- Schools subject to CDC and commonwealth guidance.
- Telework must continue unless impossible
- Businesses with in-person operations must follow updated business and building safety requirements
- Masks are required in businesses
- All in-person businesses may operate at 75% occupancy, except where noted
- Self-certified restaurants may open at 50% capacity for indoor dining; restaurants that have not self-certified are at 25% capacity for indoor dining
- On-premises alcohol consumption prohibited unless part of a meal; cocktails-to-go and carryout beverages are allowed
- Serving alcohol for on-site consumption must end at 11 pm, and all alcoholic beverages must be removed from patrons by midnight
- Personal care services (including hair salons and barbershops) open at 50% occupancy and by appointment only
- Indoor recreation and health facilities (such as gyms and spas) open at 50% occupancy with appointments strongly encouraged; fitness facilities directed to prioritize outdoor activities.
- All entertainment (such as casinos, theaters, and museums) open at 50% occupancy.
- Construction at full capacity with continued implementation of protocol.
- Hospitals are still being monitored to determine if elective procedure reductions should be ordered regionally.
- The out-of-state testing requirement is still in place.
- Local governments may still have stricter guidance in place.
- Gatherings limits determined using maximum occupancy calculator.
- Face coverings are required to be worn indoors and outdoors if you are away from your home.
- Unnecessary travel should be limited.
