Positivity rate decreasing in SE Pa.

>> The coronavirus positivity rate decreased in Montgomery County and in the six neighboring counties in Southeast Pennsylvania, according to the latest week-to-week data compiled by state health officials.

Montgomery County recorded a coronavirus positivity rate of 8.1% for the period April 16 to April 22, which was a slight decrease from the 8.7% positivity rate recorded for the period April 9 to April 15, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard.

Health officials believe having a positivity rate less than 5% indicates a county is controlling the spread of the virus and keeping it suppressed.

The county recorded the first two cases of the virus on March 7, 2020, and this week marks the 60th week since the virus surfaced in the county.

While all six of Montgomery County’s neighboring counties also recorded positivity rates above the preferred 5% threshold, each of the counties recorded decreases from the previous week.

Neighboring Berks County recorded the highest COVID-19 positivity rate in the region, 11.4% for the seven-day period ending April 22, but it was a decrease from the 12.0% positivity rate recorded the previous week.

In Bucks County, the COVID-19 positivity rate was 9.5% for the week ending April 22, down from 10.5% the previous week. Lehigh County also recorded a current positivity rate of 9.5%,

down from 10.1% the previous week.

The COVID-19 positivity rate decreased in Delaware County to 8.4% during the seven-day period ending April 22, down from 8.8% the previous week, according to state data.

Chester County recorded the lowest COVID-19 positivity rate in the region at 7.2% on April 22, down from 8.7% recorded on April 15.

Finally, Philadelphia’s COVID-19 positivity rate decreased to 8.9% on April 22, from 9.6% on April 15.

The statewide positivity rate as of April 22 was 8.6% which was a decrease from the 9.6% positivity rate recorded the previous week, according to state data.

Gov. Tom Wolf said the state’s COVID-19 dashboard is designed to provide early warning signs of factors that affect the state’s mitigation efforts.

“This week we saw a decrease in reported cases and a lower statewide percent

positivity — which is encouraging news,” Wolf said on Monday. “We need all Pennsylvanians to stay the course. We need to get vaccinated, continue washing hands, wearing a mask and social distancing.”

As of April 22, the state recorded a seven-day case increase of 21,167 COVID-19 cases. The previous seven-day increase was 25,339 cases, indicating 4,172 fewer new cases across the state over the past week compared to the previous week.

“All Pennsylvanians are eligible for safe and effective vaccines — and we encourage you to find a provider nearest you,” state Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said on Monday. “We know getting vaccinated is a personal choice, but we will continue to educate residents on how this vaccine will provide the best layer of protection against the virus as we believe good information leads to good decisions.”

Meanwhile, state and local officials urged residents to continue to abide by COVID-19 mitigation measures regarding the wearing of masks and social distancing, downloading the COVID Alert PA app, and getting vaccinated when it’s their turn.

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.

State health officials said mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home, even if fully vaccinated. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19, officials added.