Montco records 297 new COVID-19 cases

Officials reported 297 tested positive and six more died from the virus during the seven-day period ending Tuesday.

NORRISTOWN » Montgomery County officials reported 297 individuals tested positive for the coronavirus and six more people died from the virus during the seven-day period ending Tuesday.

The 297 new positive cases, reported between July 15 and July 21, bring the county’s total number of cases to 9,091 since March 7 when the first two cases of the virus were identified in the county. Eight of the individuals resided in longterm care facilities and the remaining 289 individuals were other members of the community.

The new positive individuals, including 161 females and 136 males, ranged in age from 1 to 96 and they resided in 48 municipalities, officials said.

“While our positivity rate is 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,” county Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh said on Tuesday. “If you test positive, please cooperate with contact tracing. These simple steps will keep the virus at the current level, allow our businesses to continue to operate and our children to go back to school this fall.”

Officials also reported six more COVID-19 deaths over the seven-day period, which brought the county’s death toll to 817 since the pandemic began in March. The six individuals, who ranged in age from 79 to 101, resided in long-term care facilities.

Officials stressed that testing is still available for all county residents who want or need to be tested. The county has established walk-up testing sites in Pottstown, Norristown, Lansdale, Willow Grove, Ardmore and Green Lane to accommodate those who want to be tested.

The county-run sites provide testing at no cost, although insurance will be billed if you have it. The sites do require an appointment for testing.

In Pottstown, a testing site is located at the county’s Office of Public Health Pottstown Health Center at 364 King St. Testing is available by appointment Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 2 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

In Norristown, a testing site is located on the parking lot of the Delaware Valley Community Health Norristown Regional Health Center at 1401 DeKalb St. Testing is available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

In Lansdale, a testing site is located at 421 Main St. and is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m.

A testing site also is available at the county’s Willow Grove Office of Public Health at 102 Old York Rd. Testing is available there on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 2 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Another testing site is located at Deep Creek and Snyder roads in the Green Lane Park area, where tests are available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m.

In Ardmore, a testing site is located at 114 W. Lancaster Avenue where testing is available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m.

To register for a test at any of the six sites, residents can visit www. montcopa.org/COVID-19 and click on the county testing information button. Residents can also register for a test at any of the six sites by calling 610-970-2937.

That phone number as well as the online registration will open at 8:30 a.m. daily.

Officials added CVS and Rite Aid pharmacies are offering drive-thru testing at 12 locations throughout the county. Information about those locations can be found at www.montcopa.org/ COVID-19 by clicking on “testing sites map.”

“While our positivity rate is 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.”

- Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. Valerie Arkoosh