Montco records 26 new deaths
NORRISTOWN » As doses of the coronavirus vaccine continue to be administered in Montgomery County, officials reported that nearly 2,500 individuals tested positive for the virus and 26 more people died from the virus during the latest seven-day period ending Tuesday.
The 2,489 new COVID-19 positive cases, reported between Dec.
30 and Jan. 5, brought the county’s total number of cases to 34,930 since March 7 when the first two cases of the virus were identified in the county. Officials said 131 of the new cases were individuals who resided in long-term care facilities.
Officials also reported 26 people died of COVID-19 during the sevenday period ending Tuesday, bringing the countywide death toll to 1,028 since March. Nine of the 26 most recent deaths were individuals who resided in longterm care facilities.
T he Mont g ome r y County Office of Public Health will begin vaccinating eligible healthcare staff this week 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.
“We ask that everyone have patience as we start the initial roll-out of vaccinations in Montgomery County. The vaccine is in limited supply and vaccination efforts will focus on those at highest risk for contracting COVID-19 such has hospital workers, doctors, dentists and medical first responders,” county Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh said on Tuesday.
“We want to remind everyone that the three W’s are still in force. Wash your hands, wear a mask, and watch your distance by staying six feet apart,” Arkoosh added.
To 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 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.
According to the county’s latest data, as of Tuesday, there were 445 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 at the county’s nine hospitals and 47 of those patients required ventilators.
On Tuesday, state officials reported that through Jan. 4 there were 144,863 first doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines administered statewide. The state reported on Tuesday that 8,231 doses of the two available vaccines had been administered thus far in Montgomery County.
Pennsylvania is still in Phase 1A of the three-phase vaccine distribution plan.
County health officials have said the start of the vaccination program is promising news but added it will still take some time until everyone can be vaccinated and therefore people will have to continue to follow mitigation efforts to protect the health system and themselves.
Testing is available for all county residents and those who work in the county and want or need to be tested. The county has established outdoor walk-up testing sites in Pottstown, Norristown, Lansdale, Willow Grove, Ardmore and Green Lane to accommodate those who want to be tested.
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 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, weather permitting.