Officials report 52 new deaths over 7 days

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 seven-day 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 seven-day 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 longterm 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