Montco reports 27 virus deaths

NORRISTOWN » As the first doses of the coronavirus vaccine arrive in Montgomery County, officials reported that more than 2,600 individuals tested positive for the virus and 27 more people died from the virus during the latest seven-day period ending Tuesday.

The 2,609 new COVID-19 positive cases, reported between Dec. 16 and Dec. 22, brought the county’s total number of cases to 30,085 since March 7 when the first two cases of the virus were identified in the county. Officials said 129 of the new cases were individuals who resided in longterm care facilities.

“As we continue to vaccinate the frontline workforce of our community, everyone should be hopeful that in a few short months this safe and effective vaccine will be available for all our residents.”

- Commissioner Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh

Officials also reported 27 people died of COVID-19 during the sevenday period ending Tuesday, bringing the countywide death toll to 968 since March. Nine of the 27 most recent deaths were individuals who resided in longterm care facilities.

“This week we saw the first doses of the vaccine given to our frontline hospital workers in Montgomery County. As we continue to vaccinate the frontline workforce of our community, everyone should be hopeful that in a few short months this safe and effective vaccine will be available for all our residents,” county Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh said on Tuesday.

“As a reminder, the safest way to celebrate winter holidays is with the people you live with. If you gather with others, please remember to choose outdoor or well-ventilated spaces and wear a mask that covers both your mouth and nose. Stay at least 6 feet apart from people you don’t live with, and wash your hands often,” Arkoosh added.

To help thwart the spread of the virus officials have also urged residents 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.

According to the county’s latest data, as of Tuesday, 450 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in the county’s nine hospitals and 49 of the patients required ventilators.

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/COVID-19 and clicking on the county testing information button. Residents can also register for a test at any of the six sites by calling 610-9702937 beginning at 8:30 a.m. daily.

However, due to the upcoming holiday, the hours at the six sites have changed. On Thursday, Dec. 24 all sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All the sites will be closed on Friday, Dec. 25.

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.

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. Officials announced the Ardmore location also will be open on Saturday, Dec. 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For Saturday testing, appointments can be reserved online only beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday.

In Willow Grove, a testing site is at First Baptist Church - Crestmont, 1678 Fairview Ave.