Nearly 200 more COVID-19 coronavirus cases and three more deaths related to the virus were confirmed across the region between Friday and Saturday. At the same time, public health officials announced that new, more contagious strains of the coronavirus have been detected in a growing number 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.
Thirteen of the new cases between Friday and Saturday were residents of Potter County — seven from the Coudersport area and three each from Shinglehouse and Roulette.
Pa. Department of Health recently has added two additional categories of individuals eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine part of as Phase 1A, the highest priority. Added to 1A are individuals 65 and older, and those 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 . DOH indicates that eligible individuals can use Pennsylvania’s Vaccine Provider Map, accessible here, to find a place to schedule their shots 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, 276 Potter County residents have received the first dose of the vaccine and 292 have received both doses. Majority of those are front-line health care providers, residents of skilled care homes, emergency responders and residents 65 and older.
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).
