Montco officials report 146 new COVID-19 cases

As Montgomery County health officials launched a mobile COVID-19 vaccination program for some elderly residents, they also reported on Friday that nearly 150 additional county residents tested positive for the virus. The 146 new positive COVID-19 cases brought the county’s total number of positive cases to 47,459 since March 7, 2020, when the first two cases of the virus were identified in the county, according to the latest data available on Friday. No new COVID-19 deaths were reported on Friday, leaving the county’s death toll at 1,233 since the pandemic began a year ago. As of Friday, there were 131 COVID-19 patients in the county’s nine hospitals, and 13 required ventilators. Health officials, in coordination with the county Department of Public Safety, also launched a mobile vaccination program this week to begin taking vaccine to the county’s most vulnerable elderly residents who would otherwise not be able to visit a mass vaccination site. The program, under the direction of Dr. Alvin Wang, will serve elderly individuals who live in congregate senior housing, county Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Valerie Arkoosh explained. “Our mobile vaccination program is up and running. Each week, we will set aside a portion of the vaccine received by our Office of Public Health to supply this new mobile vaccination effort,” Arkoosh said. “I am so pleased to see this program get off the ground and I thank our team for getting everything in place for this important outreach effort. “By establishing a mobile vaccination program, we are well positioned to reach residents with barriers to access in our communities and we will be ready to serve more people as our vaccine supply increases,” Arkoosh added. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported on Friday that 47,593 county residents had received the full two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, during the ongoing Phase 1A of the state’s vaccine distribution program. Another 91,866 residents had received the first dose of the vaccine, according to state data. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses to achieve optimum protection. Appointments are required to receive the vaccine. All those eligible for the vaccine in Phase 1A can pre-register to receive the vaccine through the county health department. The pre-registration link can be found at www.montcopa. org/COVID-19 under the green vaccination information button. Residents who don’t have internet access can call the county’s COVID-19 hotline at (833) 875-3967 to connect with a volunteer who can assist them in pre-registering for a vaccine. Currently, the county Office of Public Health operates two vaccination sites. The county previously opened a vaccination clinic at Norristown High School to serve those who have ap