Montco records 2nd death from virus
Positive cases reported in Lansdale and Trappe; reports of ethnic intimidation against Asian residents
EAGLEVILLE » Montgomery County officials reported a second coronavirus death in the county, the first positive cases in several municipalities including Lansdale and Trappe and revealed they’ve received “a handful of reports” about ethnic intimidation against Asian residents of the county during the epidemic.
“I’m saddened to confirm that a second Montgomery County resident has lost their life to COVID-19. This individual was an 84-year-old male with underlying medical conditions who resided in Abington Township. On behalf of all of us at the county, I extend our heartfelt condolences to this gentleman’s friends, family and loved ones,” county Commissioners Chairwoman Dr. Valerie Arkoosh said during a news briefing on Wednesday, adding the man had been hospitalized.
Last week, officials reported the first coronavirus death in the county, a 72-year-old Abington man.
Arkoosh added that 60 new positive cases of COVID-19 were reported in the county since Monday, bringing the total number of cases to 219 since March 7.
“I do want to emphasize that as more testing has become available in the county we do expect and will continue to expect to see an increase in the number of positive individuals here in the county,” said Arkoosh, who was joined at the news conference by fellow commissioners Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. and Joseph C. Gale, and Dr. Alvin Wang, regional EMS medical director, and Dr. Brenda Weis, administrator of the Office of Public Health.
The new cases in the county included 35 men
and 25 women whose ages ranged between 5 and 81. Two of the individuals are hospitalized, officials said.
The new positive cases of COVID-19 included individuals from 27 municipalities, including four that reported their first cases, Ambler, Lansdale, Schwenksville and Trappe boroughs.
Arkoosh said that during the last few days she received “a handful of reports from county residents about ethnic profiling of Asian residents” in the county, including incidents involving verbal slurs. Arkoosh said she is not aware of any police reports being filed.
“We will not tolerate that. I want to express my personal commitment and that of my fellow commissioners and your county government’s steadfast and unwavering support for Asians and AsianAmericans in our communities,” Arkoosh said.
“Thankfully, the reports of intimidation have been few. But one report is one too many. We will beat this virus by working together as a community, not by falsely blaming any individual or group. By sticking together, sixfeet apart, we are Montco strong,” added Arkoosh, making reference to the social distancing practice of staying six-feet away from one another.
Law enforcement officials, Arkoosh said, will not tolerate “any attacks on anyone in our community.” Arkoosh said residents should call 911 “if you feel threatened.”
“We are here to protect everyone,” said Arkoosh, adding those who commit such acts can be charged with harassment, terrorist threats or ethnic intimidation.
Lawrence echoed Arkoosh’s remarks that ethnic intimidation or threats against the Asian community will not be tolerated.
“There is never a time for hatred and discrimination in our society and there should certainly be none now during a public healthcare crisis,” Lawrence said.
The commissioners said there have been no positive cases of COVID-19 among inmates and no COVID-19 related deaths at the county jail in Lower Providence. However, Arkoosh said one correctional facility staff member who returned from an out-ofstate trip did test positive for the virus and contact tracing was completed in the correctional facility.
“Five close contacts have been identified. None are inmates. All are asymptomatic but in an abundance of caution they have been tested and we are awaiting the results,” Arkoosh said. “These five individuals are in isolation at home.”
County jail officials have taken measures to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19, including previously declaring state of emergency operations and closing the facility to the visiting public and lawyers. Law enforcement interviews have also been curtailed but “alternatives have been made available,” Arkoosh said.
“The correctional facility has updated their pandemic plan and are aggressively sanitizing, providing staff and inmate education on social distancing and taking the temperature of all staff entering the facility on a daily basis,” Arkoosh explained. “The prison maintains an ample supply of N95 masks, gowns, goggles, surgical masks, gloves, sanitizing chemicals and cleaning supplies.”
All new inmates remain in quarantine for 15 days before being placed in the general population. Officials added there is medical screening for all food handlers and all package deliveries and mail are being sanitized before opening or distribution.
“We have urged the courts and district attorney to take steps to limit the introduction of new inmates into the correctional facility unless absolutely necessary for the public’s safety,” Arkoosh said.
Officials said the county’s community-based COVID-19 testing site, which began operating last Friday at Temple University’s Ambler Campus in Upper Dublin, initially for first responders and healthcare workers and currently for members of the general public who meet specific criteria, continues to be available.
The site will provide testing by appointment only. There will not be any treatment conducted at the site, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily as testing supplies allow.
The link to register is available at www.montcopa.org/COVID-19 as well as at the county’s official social media accounts, officials said.
Individuals who do not have access to the Internet or do not have an email address can call 610-631-3000 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily to register for a testing appointment.
“I do want to emphasize that as more testing has become available in the county we do expect and will continue to expect to see an increase in the number of positive individuals here in the county.”
- Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. Valerie Arkoosh