There were 358 more COVID-19 coronavirus cases and five more deaths related to the virus across the region between Wednesday and Friday. Each of the figures reflected a slight reduction in trends that rose over first three weeks of the new year. Potter County’s active case count stands at approximately 100, with the largest infestations in the Coudersport, Shinglehouse and Austin areas. Pa. Dept. of Health considers a case to be “active,” and the victim contagious, if a positive test result occurred over the past 14 days. A recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control model has found that the actual number of COVID-19 infections in a locale could be as much as eight times higher than the detected cases. See details here.
Between Wednesday and Friday there were nine more cases in Potter County; 47 cases and one more death in McKean County; three cases in Cameron; 14 cases in Tioga; 116 cases and one death in Lycoming; 35 cases and one deaths in Elk; 15 cases and one death in Clinton; 101 cases and one death in Cattaraugus County, N.Y.; and 18 cases in Allegany County, N.Y. Entering Friday, overall case counts since the virus was detected stood as follows: Potter, 791 cases and 17 deaths; Tioga, 2,184 cases, 87 deaths; McKean, 2,379 cases, 51 deaths; Cattaraugus, 3,528 cases, 62 deaths; Allegany, 2,437 cases, 75 deaths; Clinton, 2,407 cases, 46 deaths; Elk, 2,031 cases, 30 deaths; Cameron, 224 cases, 6 deaths; and Lycoming, 7,649 cases, 193 deaths.
Pa. Department of Health recently added two additional categories of individuals to receive the COVID-19 vaccine part of as Phase 1A, the highest priority. Added to 1A are all individuals 65 and older, and individuals ages 16-64 with certain medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus. These conditions are outlined by the CDC here . The updated plan is available here. DOH indicates that eligible individuals can use Pennsylvania’s Vaccine Provider Map, accessible here, to find a place to schedule their vaccine directly with the provider. However, supply of the vaccine remains limited. A set of frequently asked questions and answers to them can be found here. Entering Saturday, 151 Potter County residents have received the first dose of the vaccine and 267 have received both doses. Majority of those are front-line health care providers, residents of skilled care home and emergency responders.
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).
