Montco reports 507 new cases in 4 days

>> As Montgomery County marked the 50th week that the coronavirus has been present in the county, officials on Tuesday reported more than 500 daily new positive cases of the virus and three more virus-related deaths during the latest four-day period.

The 507 new positive COVID-19 cases, reported between Feb. 13 and Feb. 16, brought the county’s total number of positive cases to 45,372 since March 7, 2020, when the first two cases of the virus were identified in the county. Officials said 11 of the daily new cases were individuals who resided in long-term care facilities. One of the new positive individuals is an inmate at the county jail.

Officials also reported three more COVID-19 deaths during the four-day period, bringing the county’s death toll to 1,181 since the virus surfaced in the county last March.

Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported on Tuesday that 24,287 county residents had received the full two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines through Feb. 15, during the ongoing Phase 1A of the state’s vaccine distribution program. Another 70,579 residents had received the first dose of the vaccine, 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 health department. The pre-registration link can be found at www.montcopa.org/COVID-19 under the green vaccination information button.

The Montgomery County Office of Public Health opened a vaccination clinic at Norristown High School to serve those who have appointments to receive their first dose of the vaccine.

Those receiving their second dose of the vaccine are being served at a clinic hosted by the Montgomery County Community College campus in Whitpain.

Additionally, testing is still 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 Monday through Friday, weather permitting and at varying hours. Same-day 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.

In Pottstown, the testing site is at the county’s Office of Public Health Pottstown Health Center at 364 King St.

In Norristown, a testing site is on the parking lot of the Delaware Valley Community Health Norristown Regional Health Center at 1401 DeKalb St.

In Lansdale, a testing site is at 421 Main St. Another testing site is located at Deep Creek and Snyder roads in the Green Lane Park area.

In Ardmore, a testing site is at 114 W. Lancaster Ave. In Willow Grove, a testing site is at First Baptist Church - Crestmont, 1678 Fairview Ave.