Montco records 2 COVID-19 deaths over 7-day period

NORRISTOWN » Montgomery County officials reported 276 individuals tested positive for the coronavirus and two people died from the virus during the latest seven-day period ending Tuesday.

The 276 new positive cases, reported between July 29 and Aug. 4, bring the county’s total number of cases to 9,747 since March 7 when the first two cases of the virus were identified in the county. Four of the individuals resided in long-term care facilities and the remaining 272 individuals were other members of the community.

The new positive individuals included 132 females and 143 males, who ranged in age from 1 to 92 and resided in 50 municipalities, officials said. The gender of one of the positive individuals was not available.

“While our positivity rate is holding steady, I want to remind Montgomery County residents that it is absolutely criti

cal that we all continue to wear masks when outside of our homes and practice social distancing. If you do not feel well, please stay at home,” county Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh said on Tuesday. “If you test positive, please cooperate with contact tracing. These simple steps will keep the virus at the current level.”

Officials also reported

two more COVID-19 deaths over the seven-day period, which brought the county’s death toll to 820 since the pandemic began in March. The two individuals who died did not reside in a long-term care facility, officials said.

Officials stressed that testing is still available for all county residents and those who work in the county and want or need to be tested. The county has established outdoor walk-up testing sites in Pottstown, Norristown, Lansdale, Willow Grove, Ardmore and

Green Lane to accommodate those who want to be tested.

The county-run sites provide self-administered tests at no cost, although insurance will be billed if you have it. The sites do require an appointment for testing.

In Pottstown, a testing site is located at the county’s Office of Public Health Pottstown Health Center at 364 King St. Testing is available by appointment Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 2 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

In Norristown, a testing site is located on the parking lot of the Delaware Valley Community Health Norristown Regional Health Center at 1401 DeKalb St. Testing is available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

In Lansdale, a testing site is located at 421 Main St. and is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m.

A testing site also is available

at the county’s Willow Grove Office of Public Health at 102 Old York Rd. Testing is available there on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 2 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Another testing site is located at Deep Creek and Snyder roads in the Green Lane Park area, where tests are available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m.

In Ardmore, a testing site is located at 114 W. Lancaster

Avenue where testing is available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m.

To register for a test at any of the six sites, residents can visit www.montcopa. org/COVID-19 and click on the county testing information button. Residents can also register for a test at any of the six sites by calling 610-970-2937.

That phone number as well as the online registration will open at 8:30 a.m. daily.