New COVID cases more than double in week

NORRISTOWN >> The weekly number of new, positive coronavirus cases in Montgomery County more than doubled during the latest seven-day period, according to data compiled by county health officials.

The 268 new positive COVID-19 cases, reported in the county during the seven-day period July 21 to July 27, brought the county’s total number of positive cases to 59,747 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. Three of the new positive cases were individuals who resided in long-term care facilities.

The 268 cases represented an increase from the 129 new cases reported during the previous seven-day period July 14 to July

20. Comparatively, there were 78 new COVID-19 cases reported in the county during the seven-day period spanning July 7 to July 13 and 44 cases reported during the period spanning June 30 to July 6.

County health officials currently update the coronavirus online dashboard on a weekly basis.

No new COVID-19 deaths were reported in the county between July 21 and July 27, leaving the county’s death toll from the virus at 1,333 since the pandemic began in March 2020.

There were 18 COVID-19 patients in the county’s nine hospitals on Tuesday, which was equal to the number of patients a week ago. None of the current patients require a ventilator, officials said.

Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported that by Tuesday, 412,738 county residents had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Another 56,036 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 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.

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

• Human Services Center, first floor Innovation Room, 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown

All county-run clinics will be closed on Friday, July 30, 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 five days a week, Monday through Friday 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.