McKean County has seen its first cases of COVID-19 associated with nursing homes/personal care homes.
Additionally, all four local counties reported new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, two employees from the same McKean County nursing home/personal care facility have the disease. No cases were reported in facility residents.
The facility in question was not available as of press time Sunday.
No other local counties have reported cases associated with such a facility.
The care facility news comes as the case count is inching up over the local area.
As of noon on Sunday, McKean County was up to 20 cases, with 12 confirmed and eight probably. Elk County was also up to 20 total, with 17 confirmed and three probable. Potter County is up to 17 total, with 14 confirmed and three probable; and Cameron County is up to four total, all confirmed cases.
In McKean County, 1,896 people have tested negative; in Elk, 1,085; in Potter, 313; and in Cameron, 277. The only COVID-19 death on record in the four-county area was in McKean County.
Statewide, the Department of Health confirmed 634 new cases on Saturday and 479 cases on Sunday, bringing the total to 89,854. Three new deaths reported Saturday and four on Sunday bring the total of deaths to 6,753.
A press release from the Department of Health reminds Pennsylvanians of the actions they can take to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus.
These include washing one’s hands for at least 20 seconds; using hand sanitizer if hand-washing is not possible; covering coughs and sneezes with one’s elbow, staying home, especially people who feel sick; cleaning surfaces often; and wearing a mask when around other people.
It is required in all counties to wear a mask in businesses or in places where proper social distancing is not possible.