Montco reports 52 virus deaths
NORRISTOWN » As doses of the coronavirus vaccine continue to be administered in Montgomery County, officials reported that more than 2,700 individuals tested positive for the virus and more than 50 people died from the virus during the latest sevenday period ending Tuesday.
The 2,725 new COVID-19 positive cases, reported between Jan. 6 and Jan. 12, brought the county’s total number of cases to 37,651 since March 7 when the first two cases of the virus were identified in the county. Officials said 67 of the new cases were individuals who resided in long-term
care facilities.
Officials also reported 52 people died of COVID-19 during the sevenday period ending Tuesday, bringing the countywide death toll to 1,080 since March. Fourteen of the 52 most recent deaths were individuals who resided in long-term care facilities.
The Montgomery County Office of Public Health last week began vaccinating eligible healthcare staff at a public vaccination clinic hosted by Montgomery County Community College. Due to the limited supply of vaccine at this time, only people in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s defined 1A category who live or work in Montgomery County will be given appointments.
“At this time, Montgomery County is still only vaccinating frontline healthcare workers in Phase 1A,” county Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh said on Tuesday. “We continue to ask for everyone’s patience due to our limited quantity of the COVID-19 vaccine. Because our supply is limited, we do not have a timeline for when we will be able to start vaccinating people in other phases.”
In the meantime, officials urged residents to abide by all handwashing, mask wearing and social distancing recommendations. To further 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
“We continue to ask for everyone’s patience due to our limited quantity of the COVID-19 vaccine. Because our supply is limited, we do not have a timeline for when we will be able to start vaccinating people in other phases.”
- Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. Valerie Arkoosh
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, there were 389 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 at the county’s nine hospitals and 42 of those patients required ventilators.
On Tuesday, state officials reported that through Jan. 12 there were 281,305 first doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines administered statewide as well as 30,172 full doses. The state reported on Tuesday that 18,352 first doses of the two available vaccines had been administered thus far in Montgomery County as well as 1,442 full doses.
County health officials have said the start of the vaccination program is promising news but added it will still take some time until everyone can be vaccinated and therefore people will have to continue to follow mitigation efforts to protect the health system and themselves.
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 walkup 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.
The six sites are open Monday through Friday, weather permitting. Sameday 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 610970-2937 beginning 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 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. This Saturday, Jan. 16, the Lansdale testing site will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For Saturday testing, appointments can be reserved online only starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15.
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. In Willow Grove, a testing site is at First Baptist Church Crestmont, 1678 Fairview Ave.
All six COVID-19 testing sites will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.