Two of the four local counties have COVID vaccination rates above 50, while case counts and deaths from the virus continue to rise.
Elk and Cameron counties have vaccination rates above 50%, while McKean and Potter are lower.
McKean County was at 5,355 cases on Monday, which is 125 additional cases from a week ago, and 668 more than last month at the same time. Year to date there have been 3,622 cases. A total of 42.8% of people in the county are fully covered by vaccines, according to the health department.
There were 95 deaths reported as of Monday, according to the health department, seven of those deaths have been since Friday.
Elk County was at 4,312 cases on Monday, which is 105 additional cases from last week, and 528 more than last month at the same time. Year to date there have been 2,847 cases. A total of 56.7% of residents are fully covered by vaccines.
There were 61 deaths reported as of Monday, the health department reported.
Potter County was at 2,001 cases, which is 76 more cases than last week, and 333 from last month at the same time. Year to date there have been 1,406 cases. A total of 35.1% of people in the county are fully covered by vaccines, according to the health department.
There were 49 deaths reported as of Monday, according to the health department.
Cameron County was at 528 cases on Monday, which is 12 more cases than last week at the same time and 91 more than last month at the same time. Year to date there have been 371 cases. A total of 55.7% of people in the county are fully covered by vaccines.
There were 11 deaths reported as of Monday, the health department indicated.
On Monday, the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce released a list of where to get vaccines in the Bradford area. The Centers for Disease Control has a website to check for the information in other locations.
According to the chamber’s list, appointments are required to be vaccinated at Bradford Regional Medical Center. Email kkmurphey@brmc.com to make an appointment (includes booster shots). Appointments are required at CVS Pharmacy in Bradford, at 814-362-4559; Port Pharmacy at 814-642-2871 or http://portpharmacy.com/covid-19/; Rite Aid’s located in Kane, Smethport, Port Allegany Link: https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/scheduler; UPMC Kane Link: https://vaccine.upmc.com; and Walmart Pharmacy Bradford PA 814-368-4700 (walk-ins may be available).
For COVID testing, primary care providers at BRMC will order tests and direct patients on scheduling; Buchanan Brothers Pharmacy in Smethport requires an appointment but not a referral, and does drive-through testing. Call 814-887-5375.
The McKean County VA Clinic requires a referral, limits tests to certain patients and appointments are required. Call 814-368-3019.
A drive-through testing site will be coordinated near the end of the month for Eldred and Kane. More details will be released.
