Montco adds 367 cases over 7 days
NORRISTOWN >> For the fourth consecutive week, the weekly number of new, positive coronavirus cases increased in Montgomery County during the latest seven-day period and the county has now recorded more than 60,000 cases since the pandemic began 17 months ago, according to data compiled by county health officials.
The 367 new positive COVID-19 cases, reported in the county during the seven-day period July 28 to Aug. 3, brought the county’s total number of positive cases to 60,114 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. Ten of the weekly new positive cases were individuals who resided in long-term care facilities and one new case was an incarcerated person at the county jail.
The 367 cases represented an increase from the 268 cases reported in the county during the seven-day period July 21 to July 27. Comparatively, there were 129 new cases reported during the seven-day period July 14 to July 20 and 78 new COVID-19 cases reported in the county during the seven-day period spanning July 7 to July 13. There were 44 new 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 28 and Aug. 3, leaving the county’s death toll from the virus at 1,333 since the pandemic began in March 2020.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported that by Tuesday, 416,659 county residents had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Another 56,688 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
• Human Services Center, first floor Innovation Room, 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown
All county-run clinics will be closed on Friday, Aug. 6, according to the weekly schedule.
However, on Aug. 6, the Montgomery County Immunization Coalition will partner with Montgomery County Community College, Giant Pharmacy, and GBS Foods to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the college’s Blue Bell campus. The clinic will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Advanced Technology Center, 340 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell.
As an incentive, anyone 21 years and older who gets vaccinated at the Aug. 6 clinic will be entered into a drawing to win free meat to feed a family of four for a year.
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 4:30 p.m.