Montco reports 34 COVID-19 cases over 7 days

NORRISTOWN >> The number of new, positive coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continued to fall in Montgomery County during the latest seven-day period, a sign that the virus is being suppressed as vaccinations increase, according to the latest weekly data compiled by health officials.

The 34 new positive COVID-19 cases, reported in the county during the seven-day period June 16 to June 22, brought the county’s total number of positive cases to 59,191 since March 7, 2020, when the first two cases of the virus were identified in the county, according to the county’s COVID-19 online dashboard. One of the new cases was an individual who resided in a long-term care facility and one new case was an incarcerated person at the county jail.

Officials reported three more COVID-19 deaths in the county during the sevenday period ending June 22, bringing the county’s death toll to 1,332 since the pandemic began a year ago.

There were 14 COVID-19 patients in the county’s nine hospitals on Tuesday, down from 25 a week ago. Officials said three of the current patients require ventilators.

Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported on Tuesday that 341,116 county residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Another 185,770 county residents have received a first dose of a vaccine, according to state data.

Everyone 12 or older is eligible to receive the twodose 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 singledose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to those aged 18 and older. The J&J vaccine has not been authorized for those under the age of 18.

Appointments are recommended but not required. Walk-up registrations are accepted at any clinic.

To make a vaccine appointment, residents can visit https://vaccine.montcopa.org and select “Start registration.”

The county Office of Public Health is operating several 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:

• Bethel Community Church, 575 N. Keim St., in Pottstown

• The former JCPenney store at the King of Prussia Mall in Upper Merion

• Parkside Shopping Center, in the former Petco location, in Willow Grove

• St. John’s Episcopal Church, 520 Church St., Norristown

All county-run clinics will be closed on Friday, June 25, according to the weekly schedule.

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.