Montco officials report 159 new cases
Another 159people tested positive for COVID-19in Montgomery County and 31deaths were reported Thursday.
EAGLEVILLE » Another 159 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Montgomery County and 31 deaths were reported, officials announced during Thursday’s press briefing at the county’s Emergency Operation Center.
Of those positive cases, there were 84 females, 74 males and one case without gender identification information, according to Montgomery County Commissioners Chairwoman Dr. Valerie Arkoosh. They range from one-month to 98 years old. There were eight patients hospitalized and six people are isolating at home, but information for the remaining 145 cases was not available.
The positive cases span across 37 municipalities in Montgomery County, according to Arkoosh.
There have been 4,192 cases of the novel coronavirus reported in 61 of Montgomery County’s municipalities since March 7, according to the county’s COVID-19 resources website.
Thirty-one people died in Montgomery County as a result of the novel coronavirus, Arkoosh reported Thursday. Fourteen people died at the hospital and 13 passed away at home. Information for the remaining four others was not provided.
This brings the county’s death toll to 275. Of those, 143 females and 132 males died, Arkoosh said. The racial breakdown is as follows: 12 Asian, two AsianIndian, three Asian-Korean, 28 African-American, 89 white. The ethnicity of the remaining 141 people was not known.
Additionally, Arkoosh said there were 145 “probable deaths” reported, which are “deaths defined as COVID-19 being listed on the death certificate as a cause of death but not confirmed by a lab test.”
Arkoosh also provided an update to the status of the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Eagleville. Of the total county COVID-19 cases reported Thursday, five were inmates of the prison. She added that 171 inmates have tested positive for the novel coronavirus and are currently in isolation. She said that “things are stable, and “as of noon [Thursday], all remained asymptomatic.”
According to Arkoosh, there are 90 long-term care facilities reporting positive cases of COVID-19: 1,114 residents and 449 staff members. This brings the total number to 1,563 people in long-term care facilities, Arkoosh said.
There are two county testing sites in Montgomery County: a drive-through mobile site at Montgomery County Community College’s central campus in Whitpain Township, and
There are two county testing sites in Montgomery County: a drivethrough mobile site at Montgomery County Community College’s central campus in Whitpain Township, and a walk up site in the parking lot of the Norristown Regional Health Center on 1401 DeKalb St. in Norristown.
a walk up site in the parking lot of the Norristown Regional Health Center on 1401 DeKalb St. in Norristown.
Both were closed Thursday due to inclement weather, Arkoosh said. The site at the county’s community college will reopen from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Friday, May 1. Those interested can make an appointment starting at 8 a.m. online or by calling 610-631-3000.
According to a Montgomery County Department of Public Safety spokesperson, the Norristown testing site will remain closed until May 4. For more information about making an appointment, call 610-592-0680.
Another private testing site opened Tuesday at Patient First, 400 E. Germantown Pike in East Norriton.
Testing is available seven days per week by appointment only, according to Commissioner Joe Gale, who added that the location has a capacity for up to 48 tests per day. Interested recipients must show COVID-19 symptoms, which include fever, cough or shortness of breath, or have a “high risk profession” such as a first responder or health care worker, Gale said.
If covered by insurance, there will be “no out of pocket expense for coronavirus testing,” Gale said. The test costs $90 per test for those without insurance.
Arkoosh stressed the importance of not having “barriers” for people who need tests during these uncertain times. “I don’t mind who’s doing the testing but there just can’t be barriers because that often means that people who need it the most are not able to be tested,” she said.
Arkoosh acknowledged the challenges of limiting contact with others over the past several weeks as area residents could not participate in momentous occasions.
“Together, we’re sharing a tough spring,” Arkoosh said.
Restrictions on golf courses and private campgrounds are expected to be lifted today, Friday, May 1 at the direction of Gov. Wolf, but Arkoosh said she doesn’t want people to get complacent.
“Each of us needs to think about what steps we can take in our personal lives and in our work lives to learn to live with social distancing,” Arkoosh said.
She used a visual example showcasing how just one person can have the potential to spread infection and expose others.
“One person alone can’t solve this, but it only takes one person to really screw this up,” she said.
Arkoosh added that she appreciates the dedication and discipline of area residents continuing to stay at home during this trying time.
“We can’t go to the gym, get our hair cut or go out to dinner, but we will get through this if we each do everything that we can to be part of the solution,” Arkoosh said. “If we all follow data driven recommendations and evidence based solutions, we will beat this thing.”