Montco sees downturn in COVID cases
57residents tested positive for the virus. This is the 7th consecutive day cases were under 100.
NORRISTOWN >> As the 62nd week of the coronavirus pandemic in Montgomery County came to a close on Friday, health officials reported 57 additional residents tested positive for the virus, the seventh consecutive day the number of daily new cases fell below 100.
The 57 daily new positive COVID-19 cases reported on Friday brought the county’s total number of positive cases to 58,385 since March 7, 2020, when the first two cases of the virus were identified in the county. Five of the daily new cases were individuals who resided in long-term care facilities.
As of Thursday, the 14-day average of daily positive COVID-19
cases stood at 94.7 which was a decrease from the 14-day average of 174.7 cases reported on May 1. The daily figures this week included:
• May 8 – 77 cases
• May 9 – 41 cases
• May 10 – 43 cases
• May 11 – 54 cases
• May 12 – 88 cases
• May 13 – 91 cases
• May 14 – 57 cases Officials reported no new COVID-19 deaths on Friday, leaving the county’s death toll at 1,316 since the pandemic began a year ago.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported on Friday that 241,037 county residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Another 220,718 county residents have received a first dose of the vaccines, according to state data.
Everyone 12 or older is eligible to receive the two-dose Pfizer vaccine.
Officials said anyone under the age of 18 attending a county COVID-19 vaccination clinic must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The county will continue to administer the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to those aged 18 and older. The J&J vaccine has not been authorized for those under the age of 18, officials said.
Appointments are recommended but not required. Walk-ups are accepted at any clinic.
The county Office of Public Health is operating seven vaccination clinics, at various hours, at multiple locations including malls and churches. Specific weekly vaccine clinic schedules, including dates and hours, are posted at www.montcopa. org/COVID-19Vaccine
Those county-run vaccination clinics are at the following locations: the former JCPenney store at the King of Prussia Mall in Upper Merion; the former Sears location at the Montgomery Mall in Montgomery Township; the Parkside Shopping Center, in the former Petco location, in Willow Grove; Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 W. Main St., in Lansdale; Bethel Community Church, 575 N. Keim St., in Pottstown; and St. John’s Episcopal Church, 528 Church St. in Norristown.
Another vaccination clinic is available on Saturdays at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 712 Penllyn Pike in Spring House.
To make a vaccine appointment, residents can visit https://vaccine.montcopa.org and select “Start registration.”
For general COVID-19 questions residents can email covid19@montcopa. org or call the Montgomery County COVID-19 hotline at (833) 875-3967. The hotline is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Additionally, testing is still available for all county residents and those who work in the county. The county 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 located at the county’s Office of Public Health Pottstown Health Center at 364 King St.
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.
In Lansdale, a testing site is located 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 located at 114 W. Lancaster Ave. In Willow Grove, a testing site is at First Baptist Church Crestmont, 1678 Fairview Ave.