Nearly 181 more COVID-19 coronavirus cases and two more deaths related to the virus were confirmed across the region between Saturday and Monday, reflecting a slower rate of growth in both categories. At the same time, public health officials cautioned that new, more contagious strains of the coronavirus have been detected in a growing number of states. This will likely prolong the pandemic, extending health and safety restrictions and reinforcing the need for preventive measures for several months. The discovery also underscores the urgency of making the FDA-approved vaccine available across the country.
Eight of the new cases between Saturday and Monday were residents of Potter County — two each in the Coudersport, Harrison Valley and Roulette areas, and one each in the Genesee and Shinglehouse areas. For the first time in several weeks, UPMC Cole in Coudersport reported that it was treating no COVID-19 patients as of mid-day Monday. Since the pandemic began, there have been 830 cases and 19 COVID-related deaths in Potter County.
