Montco reports 262 new cases, six more deaths

Montgomery County recorded 262 new, positive coronavirus cases and six more deaths from the virus during the latest two-day period ending Wednesday.

The 262 new positive COVID-19 cases, reported in the county during the two-day period Oct. 19 to Oct. 20, brought the county’s total number of positive cases to 69,932 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. Four of the new positive cases were individuals who resided in long-term care facilities and one new case was reported among incarcerated persons at the county jail.

County health officials currently update the coronavirus online dashboard on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

As of Oct. 18, the 14-day average of daily positive COVID-19 cases in the county stood at 148.0, up from the 14day average of 144.9 cases a week earlier on Oct. 11. Comparatively, the 14day average of daily COVID-19 cases in the county stood at only 5.2 cases on June 24, before the delta surge of the pandemic began, according to the data.

Health officials also reported six new COVID-19 deaths in the county between Oct. 19 and Oct. 20, bringing the county’s death toll from the virus to 1,383 since the pandemic began.

There were 110 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Montgomery County’s nine hospitals as of Wednesday, down from 124 a week ago, and 11 of the current patients required ventilators. Comparatively, there were 19 COVID-19 patients in the county’s hospitals on July 26 before the delta surge

erupted.

Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported that by Wednesday, 459,504 county residents had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Another 65,335 county residents had received a first dose of a vaccine through Wednesday, 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 continues 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.

The county Office of Public Health is operating several vaccination clinics, at various hours, at multiple locations including malls and churches. To make a vaccine appointment or to find specific weekly vaccine clinic schedules residents can visit 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

• King of Prussia Mall at the Court, third floor, former Thomasville Furniture, 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

The county-run COVID-19 vaccination clinics are also offering flu shots to help prepare for the upcoming cold and flu season.

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.

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 Green Lane, a testing site is located at 2144 Snyder Rd., in Green Lane Park

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.