Montco reports 13 new COVID-19 deaths
>> As Montgomery County officials announced the temporary closure of first dose COVID-19 vaccine clinics due to low supply and inclement weather, they also reported 175 daily new positive cases of the virus and 13 additional virus-related deaths on Wednesday.
The 175 new positive COVID-19 cases recorded on Wednesday brought the county’s total number of positive cases to 45,541 since March 7, 2020, when the first two cases of the virus were identified in the county. Officials said 17 of the daily new cases were individuals who resided in long-term care facilities.
Officials also reported 13 more COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, bringing the county’s death toll to 1,194 since the virus surfaced in the county last March.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported that 27,796 county residents had received the full two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines through Wednesday during the ongoing Phase 1A of the state’s vaccine distribution program. Another 73,253 county 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 is operating 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.
However, on Wednesday, officials announced that first dose clinics would be closed on Thursday, Feb. 18, and Friday, Feb. 19 due to a combination of decreased supply and the impending snowstorm.
The county’s decision came in the wake of Wednesday’s announcement by the state Department of Health regarding a statewide shortage of the Moderna vaccine.
“We have been told that we will not receive a sufficient amount of second dose Moderna vaccine to cover the 5,279 people scheduled for second doses next week,” county Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh said on Wednesday. “I want to reassure anyone who is expecting to receive a second dose next week that if we are not able to offer you a second dose next week, we will contact you and schedule you for a future date. We will ensure that this future date is within the CDC maximum approved interval of 42 days.”
The county’s vaccination clinics will operate on the following schedule due to supply shortages and inclement weather:
• Thursday, Feb. 18 – Both Norristown Area High School and Montgomery County Community College clinics were closed due to inclement weather. Those scheduled for Thursday will be moved to Monday.
• Friday, Feb. 19 – The Norristown Area High School clinic is closed for first doses, and the Montgomery County Community College clinic for second doses will be open pending weather forecast.
• Monday, Feb. 22 – Both the Norristown Area High School and Montgomery County Community College clinics will be open.
• Tuesday, Feb. 23 – Schedule pending, please check www.montcopa.org/ COVID-19 under “Vaccine Information” for updates.
Officials said if appointments need to change due to bad weather, anyone with an appointment will be automatically rescheduled and notified by two emails from the name “Vaccination Clinics” at no-reply@multistatep4p.com. The first email will tell residents the date and time of their rescheduled appointment. The second email will tell residents that their original appointment was canceled.
Additionally, COVID-19 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 walkup 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.