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Positive cases continue to rise for the county and today we saw a significant increase in our COVID reporting. Our weekly incidence rate increased 118 percent to 380 cases per 100,000 residents and our PCR positivity rate also saw an 82 percent increase to 14.2 percent. As of today, we have 236 active cases reported in the last 14 days with 158 of those being reported in the past 7 days.

We have also seen an uptick in positive cases in our nursing homes, and now have over 50 cases being reported among residents and staff. Presently, the Task Force is working closely with the nursing home administrators to manage this recent surge in positive cases as well as protect all the residents and staff.

This rapid uptick in both positive cases and positivity rate is concerning to the Task Force, but it’s something that we anticipated and have been preparing for. All 3 healthcare systems operating in the county remain well prepared, well-staffed and well supplied for the recent change in COVID activity and stand ready to provide care for anyone in need.

To manage this recent uptick in COVID activity, we are going to have to pull together as a community and work together to lessen the curve.

We need to take this recent uptick very seriously, but there is no need to panic. We have been preparing for this for the past several months and stand ready to face this challenge head-on. Community means everyone, Tioga County. We need an all-hands-on-deck effort to curb the spread. Please join the Task Force, Representative Owlett and our Commissioners in doing your part to protect our county.

The numbers are real. The disease is here, and now is the time to remain diligent in our fight against the virus.