Montco positivity rate ‘staying pretty flat’
NORRISTOWN » While Montgomery County officials are seeing a slow but steady increase in the number of positive coronavirus cases in the community, the overall positivity rate remains stable, according to the latest county data.
“Our positivity is staying pretty flat. That means that we’re doing enough testing in our community to be able to rapidly get a handle on any outbreaks that might be beginning,” county Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Valerie Arkoosh said during a weekly news briefing on Wednesday.
The overall 14-day COVID-19 positivity rate for the county, as of Oct. 16, was 2.31%, according to data gathered by county health officials. That marked a slight increase from the 2.28% positivity rate recorded for the 14day period ending Oct. 9.
Health officials believe having a positivity rate less than 5% indicates the county is controlling
the spread of the virus and keeping it suppressed. The county has been below the 5% benchmark since June 18.
“Working together we continue to suppress viral spread here in Montgomery County but like many other parts of the Commonwealth and the country, Montgomery County is seeing an increase in confirmed positive COVID-19 cases. In our community, we’re seeing a steady rise of cases,” Arkoosh said.
“This increase is partially due to more individuals being tested, whichwe strongly encourage. But it also serves as a reminder that as the weather is getting cooler, we’re seeing increased transmission in our community,” Arkoosh added. “We expected this, but we must all continue to take commonsense steps to reduce the spread of this very, very contagious virus. While I fully expect to see an increase in our numbers, hopefully, it is one that is manageable.”
To keep the positivity rate below 5%, Arkoosh stressed residents should continue to abide by all mask wearing, handwashing and social distancing recommendations.
“It is truly in the hands of the people in this community. If people continue to do what they’ve been doing I’m hopeful we will get through this OK. But if they throw caution to thewind, we could really start to seequite a rise here,” Arkoosh warned.
More people in the county do appear to be taking advantage of testing opportunities for the virus. Officials reported that for the 14-day period ending Oct. 16, there were 30,447 county residents tested for COVID-19, which is an increase of 2,103 people tested compared to the 14-day period ending Oct. 9.
“This is great. This is so helpful to our tracking and to our understanding of exactly what’s going on in our community,” said Arkoosh, who was joined at the news briefing by fellow Commissioner Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr.
Officials said more testing provides the county the opportunity to do more surveillance and learn how the virus is circulating in the county and suppress any outbreak that may surface.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, officials reported 41 more individuals tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the county’s total number of cases to 12,975 sinceMarch 7, when the first two cases of the virus were identified in the county.
The new positive individuals included 20 females and 21males, who ranged in age from 11 to 77, and who resided in 23 municipalities, according to the latest statistics.
Officials reported no new COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, leaving the county’s death toll at 837.
On Wednesday, officials reported 39 individuals were currently hospitalized with the coronavirus in county hospitals, with seven requiring a ventilator. At the peak of the pandemic in April, the county reported several hundred hospitalizations.
“The good news is that our hospitals are better prepared. Ourmedical colleagues have a much greater understanding of how to treat this disease and so you’re seeing fewer patients who need ventilators and high intensity care,” Arkoosh said.
Officials said testing is available for all county residents and thosewho work in the county andwant 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 Monday through Friday.
The six 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.
Toregister 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 610970-2937.
That phone number as well as the online registration will open at 8:30 a.m. daily.
In Pottstown, the testing site is located at the county’s Office of Public Health Pottstown Health Center at 364King St. Testing is available by appointment Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays fromnoon to 2 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from4 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 onTuesdays andThursdays from3 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.
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.
In Willow Grove, testing is available at First Baptist Church - Crestmont, 1678 Fairview Ave. Testing there is available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 2 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.