Montco records 15 more deaths from virus
Testing sites anticipate reduced hours, closure during predicted winter storm Wed. into Thurs.
NORRISTOWN » Montgomery County officials reported on Tuesday that another 324 individuals in the county tested positive for the coronavirus.
The 324 new COVID-19 positive cases brought the county’s total number of cases to 27,494 since March 7 when the first two cases of the virus were identified in the county. Fifteen of the daily new cases were individuals who resided in longterm care facilities, according to the county’s latest data.
County officials also reported 15 additional COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, which brought the county’s death toll to 941 since the pandemic began in March.
Earlier this week, officials said there were 546 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the county’s nine hospitals and 56 of the patients required ventilators.
“As COVID-19 cases remain high in Montgomery County, we are once again asking our residents to help us by standing united against the virus. This includes limiting your outings to essential travel, wearing a mask when you have to go out, washing your hands frequently, and maintaining social distance,” county Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh said on Tuesday.
“Together, we can continue to protect our hospitals and first responders. There is light at the end of this tunnel. In a few short months there will be safe and effective vaccine available for our community but we need to continue to stay home to stay safe,” Arkoosh added.
To help thwart the spread of the virus county health officials urged residents to wear a mask when near non-household contacts, to avoid social gatherings, to fully cooperate if they receive a call from a contact tracer and to download the COVID Alert PA app onto their phone.
COVID Alert PA is a free mobile app, offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, that uses Bluetooth low energy technology and the Exposure Notification System, created jointly by Google and Apple, to notify and give public health guidance to anyone who may have been in close contact with a person who also has the app and has tested positive for COVID-19.
Testing is 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 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.
Normally, each of the six testing sites is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments can be made weekdays starting at 7 a.m. by visiting www.montcopa.org/COVIDand clicking on the county testing information button. Residents can also register for a test at any of the six sites by calling 610-970-2937 beginning at 8:30 a.m. daily.
However, due to the impending winter storm projected to arrive in the area on Wednesday and Thursday, officials made changes to the testing site schedule.
On Wednesday, the testing sites will be open from 9 a.m. to noon. Sites may close early if the weather deteriorates.
All of the testing sites will be closed on Thursday, officials said.
In Pottstown, the testing site is located at the county’s Office of Public Health Pottstown Health Center at 364 King St.
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. The county also will open its Norristown testing location from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19. Residents can book appointments starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18.
In Lansdale, a testing site is located at 421 Main St. Another testing site is located at Deep Creek and Snyder roads in the Green Lane Park area.
In Ardmore, a testing site is located at 114 W. Lancaster Avenue and in Willow Grove, a testing site is at First Baptist Church - Crestmont, 1678 Fairview Ave.