New cases of COVID-19 in the area remain low, but access to the COVID-19 vaccine still remains an issue for local residents.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, as of Monday, McKean County had two additional cases for 3,043 total cases of COVID-19 to date — 2,297 confirmed, 746 probable and 9,735 negative tests. There have been 62 deaths.
Elk County had three additional cases for 2,332 total — 1,238 confirmed, 1,094 probable and 5,496 negative tests. There have been 35 deaths.
Potter County had no change. There have been 937 cases — 820 confirmed, 117 probable and 3,139 negative tests. There have been 21 deaths.
Cameron County had one additional case for 261 total — 176 confirmed, 85 probable and 958 negative tests. There have been seven deaths.
As for vaccines, so far in McKean County, there have been 1,978 first doses and 2,158 second; in Elk, 4,092 first and 3,935 second; in Potter, 538 first and 569 second; and in Cameron, 886 first and 452 second.
Potter County has administered the least number of vaccines to date in the state. In fact Sullivan County, which has a population of 6,135 in comparison to Potter County’s population of 16,806, has been given more doses of the vaccine.
Sullivan County, as of Monday, had administered 922 first doses and 431 second doses.
Warren County, which is similar in size to McKean, has been given more doses, too. As of Monday, Warren administered 2,361 first doses and 2,365 second doses. Warren County has had 2,166 cases of COVID-19, and 98 deaths.
Jefferson County, also similar in size to McKean, had administered 5,924 first doses and 3,623 second doses. Jefferson County has had 2,786 cases of COVID-19, and 90 deaths.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has offered no explanation as to why McKean County has received fewer vaccines, as spokespersons direct reporters to the state’s distribution plan on the department’s website. Officials remind, too, that the vaccine remains in short supply.
Senior centers in McKean County have been helping seniors who cannot navigate the internet in attempts to make appointments for the vaccine. Many local people have resorted to making appointments outside the area in an effort to receive it.
The cases of COVID-19 to date in McKean County are as follows: Bradford, 980 confirmed, 169 probable; Lewis Run, 124 confirmed, 329 probable; Kane, 290 confirmed, 83 probable; Smethport, 289 confirmed, 39 probable; Port Allegany, 202 confirmed, 28 probable; Eldred, 134 confirmed, 28 probable; Mount Jewett, 46 confirmed, 12 probable; Duke Center, 28 confirmed, 7 probable; Derrick City, 15 confirmed, 5 probable; Rixford, 34 confirmed, 6 probable; Rew, 24 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable; Gifford, 15 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable; Cyclone, 20 confirmed, 8 probable; Turtlepoint, 15 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable; Ludlow, 9 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable; Crosby, 7 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable.
The cases in Elk County are as follows: St. Marys, 558 confirmed, 470 probable; Ridgway, 275 confirmed, 181 probable; Johnsonburg, 126 confirmed, 85 probable; Kersey, 83 confirmed, 110 probable; Sigel, 51 confirmed, 10 probable; Brockport, 46 confirmed, 34 probable; Weedville, 67 confirmed, 42 probable; Wilcox, 34 confirmed, 34 probable; Byrnedale, 5 confirmed, 6 probable; Benezette, 7 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable; James City, 1 to 4 confirmed and probable.
The cases in Potter County are as follows: Coudersport, 335 confirmed, 45 probable; Shinglehouse, 152 confirmed, 34 probable; Roulette, 54 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable; Austin, 63 confirmed, 22 probable; Genesee, 62 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable; Ulysses, 52 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable; Galeton, 62 confirmed, 7 probable; Harrison Valley, 27 confirmed, 5 probable; Mills, 7 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable; and Cross Fork, 5 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable.
In Cameron County, the cases are as follows: Emporium, 153 confirmed, 73 probable; Driftwood, 8 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable; and Sinnemahoning, 8 confirmed, 1 to 4 probable.
Regarding patients hospitalized with COVID-19, McKean County had one and Elk County had two. There were none in Potter County.
As for long-term care facilities, nine facilities in McKean County reported 400 residents to date have had COVID-19, as have 111 staff members. There have been 48 deaths.
Three facilities in Elk County reported 122 cases among residents, 50 among staff and eight deaths. Three facilities in Potter County reported 45 cases among residents, 16 among staff and three deaths. One facility in Cameron County reported 36 cases among residents, 10 among staff and two deaths.
