By RANDY BARTLEY
Staff writer
The county first adopted the disaster declaration in March 2020 and has renewed it periodically since that time.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Clarion County has reported 52 new cases of the virus since Friday, Sept. 10.
The previous declaration stated emergency management measures are required to be proactive to reduce the potential severity of this disaster and to “protect the health, safety, and welfare of the affected residents of Clarion County.”
The board also authorized Commissioner Ted Tharan to locate and negotiate for a COVID-19 vaccine booster clinic site.
During the COVIC-19 outbreak in 2020 the county had rented the former Pebbles store at the Clarion Mall as a vaccination center.
“The hospital does not have the facilities to get people through quickly,” said Tharan. “We would rather be proactive than reactive. You know it’s coming. We just want to be ready. The numbers are increasing.”
Commissioner Wayne Brosius added, “They (Clarion Hospital officials are) awaiting guidance from the Center for Disease Control.”
Tharan said the county would not be implementing a mandatory vaccination policy or a mask mandate at this time.
“The county will follow whatever rules are established by the government,” said Clarion County Administrator Jillian Fisher.