Cases, hospitalizations continue to fall in Montco

NORRISTOWN >> As vaccinations increased, the numbers of new, positive coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths fell in Montgomery County during the latest seven-day period, a sign that the virus continues to be suppressed, according to the latest weekly data compiled by health officials.

The 37 new positive COVID-19 cases, reported in the county during the seven-day period June 23 to June 29, brought the county’s total number of positive cases to 59,228 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. No new cases of the virus were reported in long-term care facilities or at the county jail during the seven-day period.

As of June 29, the 14-day average of daily positive COVID-19 cases stood at 5.1 which was a decrease from the 14-day average of 9.7 cases reported on June 17.

The daily figures during the last week included:

• June 23 – 2 cases

• June 24 – 5 cases

• June 25 – 9 cases

• June 26 – 8 cases

• June 27 – 5 cases

• June 28 – 5 cases

• June 29 – 3 cases No new COVID-19 deaths were reported between June 23 and June 29, leaving the county’s death toll from the virus at 1,332 since the pandemic began a year ago.

There were 10 COVID-19 patients in the county’s nine hospitals on Tuesday, down from 14 a week ago and down from 25 two weeks ago. Officials said none of the current patients require ventilators.

Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported that by Tuesday, 349,648 county residents had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Another 182,555 county residents had received a first dose of a vaccine through Tuesday, 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

The current 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

• Health Science Center, first floor, 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown

All county-run clinics will be closed on Friday, July 2 and Monday, July 5, 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.

Additionally, testing is still available for all county residents and those who work in the county. The county established outdoor walk-up testing sites at several locations to accommodate those who want to be tested.

The 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.

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 section. Residents can also register for a test at any of the sites by calling 610-9702937 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 Ardmore, a testing site is located at 114 W. Lancaster Ave.

In Willow Grove, a testing site is at the Parkside Shopping Center, in the former Petco store, at 2522 West Moreland Road.