On Monday, the Potter County Commissioners closed all public access to the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building. Department heads and managers have made arrangements for continued operations for critical county services, available online or by mail or phone. A list of online options and telephone numbers can be found at pottercountypa.net. See below for office-by-office details.

Also on Monday, Potter County GIS Director Will Hunt has launched a COVID-19 map tracking the confirmed cases statewide. The higher the number of cases, the larger the dot. It also reflects graphs and information related to the virus, provided by the Pa. Dept. of Health and Penn State University. To access it, click here.

Pennsylvania lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf have reached agreement on postponing the state’s primary election from April 28 until June 2, with legislation poised to advance Monday and move quickly through the state legislature.

Enforcement of the state’s ban on the operation of “non-life sustaining” businesses is being conducted by multiple agencies. The governor has directed the following agencies to enforce the closure orders: Pa. Liquor Control Board, Pa. Dept. of Health, Pa. Dept. of Agriculture, Pa. State Police, and local officials, using their resources to enforce closure orders within their jurisdictions. Detailed information can be found here. Support services for affected businesses is being coordinated by the Pa. Dept. of Community and Economic Development. Details can be found here.

The Pennsylvania CareerLink office in Potter County is now closed. To reach a staff person, call 814-590-6837. For unemployment compensation issues, call 1-888-313-7284. For general inquiries, go the Pa. CareerLink website here.

Potter County Emergency Management Coordinator Glenn Dunn has released the latest Statewide Situational Report. The county’s Emergency Operations Center is coordinating local participation in Pa. Emergency Management Agency activities as follow:

• Development of countywide response and mitigation plans;
• Clarifying guidelines for schools and other targeted groups;
• Coordination of GIS data and layering of information for regional and statewide assessments;
• Health care coordination and monitoring;
• Collection and dissemination of credible information.

The Potter County Commissioners remain engaged with the National Assn. of Counties in a lobbying campaign to have county and local governments made eligible for federal funds as part of the Coronavirus State Stabilization Fund being debated in Congress. If the federal support is limited to states only, rural counties and communities could be left out. NACo has set up a COVID-19 resource page here.

To combat misinformation being circulated about the pandemic, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has unveiled a fact-check website. Its mission is to dispel false or misleading rumors. The website is at https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control

Meanwhile, more details have been released about the Potter County resident who has tested positive for COVID-19, while public officials await the results of tests from at least three other people. A Pa. Dept. of Health official confirmed that the young woman who tested positive is from the Coudersport area. She had been traveling in Europe and was quarantined upon her return home on March 14. It’s still not certain that she contracted COVID-19 while she was overseas. She may have been infected prior to departing the U.S. The victim remains quarantined under supervision at home.

All county operations have been reduced to essential functions indefinitely. County officials will continue to monitor developments and provide further guidance in the coming days. The following policies and provisions are in effect. Check back here for updates:

• Potter County Dept. of Emergency Services has partially activated the Emergency Operations Center and is limiting public access to its facilities.
• A Judicial Emergency has been declared by President Judge Stephen Minor. With very limited exceptions, all proceedings are continued until April 15 or later. Entry to the Courthouse remains limited. Security Guards at the Second Street main entrance can offer further guidance.
• At Potter County Human Services, Protective Services, Child Welfare, Crisis, and On-Call staff 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.
• The Potter County Treasurer’s Office is closed. Dog licenses can obtained by mail or online at pottercountypa.net (click on Treasurer’s Office). Fishing licenses can be purchased online at gonefishingpa.com.
• Potter County Assessment Office/Tax Claim Bureau is operating on a limited schedule. Delinquent tax payments may be made online at https://paylocalgov.com/pottercounty-pa or by mail to: Potter County Tax Claim, 1 North Main St., Suite 111, Coudersport, PA 16915. Arrangements are being made to accept stay-of-sale agreements by mail. Many forms and applications can be found online at pottercountypa.net (see Tax Claim/Tax Assessment tabs). For assistance, send email Jake to jostrom@pottercountypa.net, or call or text 814-203-0761.
• Potter County Planning/GIS office is closed. The online Tax Parcel Viewer has printing capabilities at no cost. Online mapping services can be found at www.pottercountypa.net. Tools are being developed for digital submission of subdivision & land development applications. In the interim, all plans and associated documents can be mailed to Planning Dept., 1 N. Main St., Coudersport PA 16915. If an in-person appointment is needed, call Will Hunt at 814-274-8290, ext. 229.
• All Potter County Senior Centers are closed. Center participants are being provided their normal lunchtime meals, three days a week, either by delivery or through arrangement for pickup at the centers.
• Visitation to the Potter County Jail has been suspended.
• Potter County Veterans Affairs Office is no longer available for walk-in service. Director Michael Pepper is available at 814-274-8290, ext. 210.
• 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. More information is available online at pottercountyhumansvcs.org.
• Potter County Sheriff’s Department has suspended the issuance of pistol permits. Further details on upcoming sheriff’s sales, permits and civil process can be found on the website pottercountypa.net (Sheriff/Jail Warden tab).
• Potter County Register and Recorder’s Office is closed. Information for those seeking access to documents or other services can be found at pottercountypa.net (click on Register of Will/Recorder of Deeds). The office will be available from 9-11 am weekdays to process mail and e-recordings and to return phone calls. Those with questions or concerns should send email to nlarsen@pottercountypa.net.

The Potter County Emergency Management Agency and the County Commissioners remain in contact with the Pa. Emergency Management Agency, Pa. Dept. of Health (DOH) and other public agencies for timely and accurate information as well as state and federal restrictions and related policies. The most accurate and timely information regarding this outbreak is available through the DOH, as well as the CDC’s website and social media channels. Those with concerns or questions can also call 1-877-724-3258 (which goes directly to DOH nurses). For resources, please visit the below links:

Pa. Dept. of Health: <https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx>

Pa. Emergency Preparedness Guide: <https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/Documents/Emergency%20Preparedness/2017%20DOH%20EP%20Guide.pdf>

Centers for Disease Control: <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html>