Montco records 177 new COVID-19 cases in daily report

NORRISTOWN >> As the 54th week of the coronavirus pandemic in Montgomery County came to a close, officials reported another 177 county residents have tested positive for the virus, according to the latest daily data.

The 177 daily new positive COVID-19 cases reported in the county on Friday brought the county’s total number of positive cases to 49,134 since March 7, 2020, when the first two cases of the virus were identified in the county, according to the county’s COVID-19 dashboard.

Officials reported no new COVID-19 deaths on Friday, leaving the county’s death toll at 1,244 since the pandemic began a year ago.

Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported on Friday that 75,440 county residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, receiving either the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine or both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, during the ongoing Phase 1A of the state’s vaccine distribution program. Another 120,682 residents have received a first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, according to state data.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses to achieve optimum protection.

Appointments are required to receive the vaccine. All those eligible for the vaccine in Phase 1A can pre-register to receive the vaccine through the county Office of Public Health. The pre-registration link can be found at www.montcopa.org/COVID-19 under the green vaccination information button.

Residents who don’t have internet access can call the county’s COVID-19 hotline at (833) 875-3967 to connect with a volunteer who can assist them in preregistering for a vaccine.

The county Office of Public Health previously opened vaccination clinics at Norristown High School and another hosted by the Montgomery County Community College campus in Whitpain.

A third vaccination clinic opened on Friday at the Parkside Shopping Center, in the former Petco location, in Willow Grove.

Officials said testing is still available for all county residents and those who work in the county and want or need to be tested. The county established outdoor walk-up testing sites in Pottstown, Norristown, Lansdale, Willow

Grove, Ardmore and Green Lane.

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 and at varying hours. 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 610-970-2937 beginning at 8:30 a.m. daily.