By Michael T. Baldwin
Three more Potter County residents died from COVID-related causes and 72 more were confirmed to be infected between Wednesday and Saturday, according to the Pa. Dept. of Health (DOH). Since the pandemic began, there have been 2,470 known cases — more than one in seven county residents age 5 and older — and 70 lives lost. DOH said Potter County’s “active” case count is 225. That’s based on the number of residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 over the past two weeks and are considered highly contagious. The figure includes only those people who have been tested. According to DOH, for every case that is confirmed there are approximately four other victims whose infection has not been diagnosed.
Similar scenarios are playing out across the region. Five more Tioga County residents died from the coronavirus between Wednesday and Saturday, while 115 more tested positive. Tioga has had 5,831 cases and 161 deaths since the pandemic was declared. Also between Wednesday and Saturday, McKean County had 92 more cases and two more deaths. Totals in McKean are 6,084 cases and 108 fatalities. Clinton had 109 new cases and two deaths; Cameron, 12 cases; Allegany County, N.Y., 105 cases and two deaths; Elk, 107 cases and one death; Lycoming, 367 cases and 11 deaths; and Cattaraugus County, N.Y., 194 cases and three deaths.
Pressure has eased to some extent at UPMC Cole. The hospital reported that it is treating 15 COVID patients. One of them is in the Intensive Care Unit.
There has been a slight uptick in the pace of Potter County residents age 5 and older being vaccinated. Just over 43 percent (6,666 people) have now received at least one dose. UPMC Cole offers the vaccine to eligible patients at its outpatient offices. To schedule an appointment for an adult, call 814-274-5460; for pediatric patients, call 814-274-9198. Buchanan Brothers Pharmacy in Coudersport administers the vaccine by appointment; call 814-274-8660. Rite Aid pharmacies continue to book appointments. To access the online reservation form, click here.
