McKean and Potter counties are ranked as substantial risk for community transmission of COVID-19, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
In a weekly status update, Gov. Tom Wolf and Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam indicated that Cameron County remains in low risk, and Elk County is at moderate risk.
McKean County’s percent positivity for April 16 to 22 was 10.3%, with 12 fewer confirmed cases during this time frame. The incidence rate was 152.6 per 100,000 residents. The prior time frame, of April 9 to 15, saw a percent positivity of 12.1%.
Elk County’s rate was 6.6%, down from 9.5% during the prior time frame. There were 16 fewer confirmed cases during this time frame. There were 16 fewer confirmed cases during this time frame. The incidence rate was 90.3 per 100,000 residents.
Potter County’s rate was 19.1%, with 22 additional confirmed cases during this time frame. The incidence rate was 187.6 per 100,000 residents.
Cameron County’s rate was 2.6%, with no additional cases during this time frame. The incidence rate is 22.5 per 100,000 residents.
“This week we saw a decrease in reported cases and a lower statewide percent positivity — which is encouraging news,” Wolf said. “We need all Pennsylvanians to stay the course. We need to get vaccinated, continue washing hands, wearing a mask and social distancing.”
As of April 22, the state had seen a seven-day case increase of 21,167 cases; the previous seven-day increase was 25,339 cases, indicating 4,172 fewer new cases across the state over the past week compared to the previous week.
The statewide percent-positivity decreased to 8.6 percent from 9.6 percent the previous week. There are now six counties that have a positivity rate lower than 5 percent. There are no counties reporting a positivity rate of more than 20 percent.
“All Pennsylvanians are eligible for safe and effective vaccines — and we encourage you to find a provider nearest you,” Beam said. “We know getting vaccinated is a personal choice, but we will continue to educate residents on how this vaccine will provide the best layer of protection against the virus as we believe good information leads to good decisions.”
