COUDERSPORT — The Potter County commissioners have been working hard to stay on top of the coronavirus and keep county residents safe.
To date, there are three positive cases in the county.
The commissioners will be hosting a call-in “virtual town hall” at 6 p.m. on April 20 to talk about the pandemic. More details will be provided in the coming days.
Potter County Emergency Management Coordinator Glenn Dunn and his staff continue to collaborate with local and state officials as well as health care representatives to plan for potential medical surge, personal protective equipment shortages, and community impacts of state and federal mitigation strategies.
According to the commissioners, the county department of emergency services has distributed personal protective equipment to all emergency agencies in the county. To date, “more than 1,400 n-95 masks, 300 gowns and 800 pairs of gloves have been provided to emergency medical services, quick response services and medics. More than 1,000 n-100 and regular masks and 900 pairs of gloves have been given out to firefighters and fire police. Hand sanitizer has also been provided to emergency responders. A shipment of additional protective equipment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency was received on Wednesday and will be held in inventory.”
While Potter County does not have its own department of health, the commissioners and EMA officials have been in steady contact with UPMC Cole. “Beyond notification of a case within the county, no further information is released to county officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.”
On Thursday, state health secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said the department is working to get more specific details to county emergency officials across the state.
County offices remain closed to the public, but many essential services are still provided through the county’s website, pottercountypa.net; by telephone, or by alternative arrangements.
At least two updates a day are made to the county’s website, which also contains information for businesses impacted by the pandemic and for residents who are seeking information on local businesses that remain open.
Services offered through the county’s Human Services department remain available, including Protective Services, Child Welfare, Crisis, and On-Call staff who remain available for emergencies. Caseworkers are regularly conferring with clients by phone to check on their welfare and offer assistance. The Medical Assistance Transportation Program continues to operate. Potter County Drug & Alcohol Services is conducting assessments by telephone. Inpatient referrals can still be made and outpatient providers are making therapy available by phone.
Potter County Director of Veterans Affairs Michael Pepper remains available to assist veterans at 814-274-8290, ext. 210. The VA has closed its Coudersport clinic. Those who need labs or face-to-face visits will need to go to the clinic in Wellsboro. VA is encouraging veterans to use virtual care services to get the care they need. More details are available on the Military Veterans of Potter County page on Facebook, or from Pepper.
