Montco announces 227 new cases, 11 deaths

NORRISTOWN » Amid the continued presence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Montgomery County, 227 new cases and 11 deaths occurred over a seven-day period in Montgomery County, officials said in a statement Tuesday.

According to findings, 227 cases were reported and 11 deaths took place from July 8 to 14. The highest case rate happened July 8 with 46 reported cases, while the lowest cases were reported Monday with 21 cases.

These figures bring the total to 148,802 cases and 811 deaths since March, county officials said in a statement.

Of the 227 individuals who tested positive, 137 were female and 90 were male, according to county officials. They ranged in age from 1 to 100 years old and are from 48 municipalities.

The reported cases and deaths also found 15 cases and 8 deaths in people who reside in long-term care facilities, according to county officials.

“While our case numbers are holding steady, I want to remind Montgomery County residents that it is absolutely critical 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,” Montgomery County Commissioners Chairwoman Dr. Valerie Arkoosh said in a statement.

Officials also held a press conference Wednesday that was streamed live on the Montgomery County Facebook page.

Local leaders stressed the importance of getting tested as more outdoor walk-up sites become available to area residents and others working in Montgomery County of all ages, “with the exception of infants,” officials said in a statement. Testing opportunities are offered at “no cost” and do not require a prescription.

Those interested should make an appointment by calling 610-970-2937 or online at montcopa.org/COVID-19, and click on the “county testing information” button on the date of the specified appointment window. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and Spanish-speaking operators are on hand. For more information on testing and resources in Montgomery County, visit www.montcopa.org/COVID-19.

The county’s response to the coronavirus continued in cost items at last week’s commissioners’ meeting. Elected leaders authorized a $10 million transfer of funds to the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority in order to support the third round of the MontcoStrong Small Business Grant Program to provide financial assistance to establishments affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The application window will open at 10 a.m. on July 16 and close at around 12 p.m. on July 17.

“They’re doing more than ever so we wanted to keep the program open for more than 24 hours to give people ample time to get that application in,” Dave Zellers, department head of the Montgomery County Commerce Department, said.

For more information about the program and application materials, visit the program’s website at montcopa.org/montcostrongsbgp.

Since the program’s inception, there have been more than 4,400 applications submitted and roughly $6 million awarded through 480 grants, according to Zellers. Of the first two rounds, there were around 1,500 applications submitted in the first round and approximately 2,900 turned in during the second round.

Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman Ken Lawrence inquired about the availability of language and translation services for the application. Zellers replied that while the applications are offered in other languages including Spanish and Korean, LanguageLine Solutions offers several other translation options including Hindi and Mandarin.

In other pandemic-related business, the Montgomery County Commissioners approved the following contracts totaling more than $200,000:

• A $56,030.40 one-year agreement was awarded to West Publishing Corporation, of Eagan, Minn. for contact tracing services and access to the “CLEAR data location system,” according to the contract description.

• A $35,000 contract was awarded to Philadelphia-based RSM US LLP for “implementation of a disease and outbreak management system,” according to the contract description.

• A $67,426 contract was awarded to Port A Bowl Restroom Company, of Plumsteadville, Pa. “for portable restrooms and hand-washing stations at the COVID-19 testing sites,” according to the contract description.

• A $43,100 agreement with D’Antonio’s Catering of Philadelphia “provides for catering services through June 30 at the COVID-19 testing site” located at the Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell.

The next Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting is expected to be held in person at 10 a.m. on July 23 in Norristown. Arkoosh noted attendees will need to comply with several policies including getting temperature checked and wearing a mask per Gov. Tom Wolf’s order. Additionally, due to limited availability in the boardroom, “overflow space” will be provided.