NORRISTOWN, PA – Montgomery County officials and the Office of Public Health (OPH) today reported COVID-19 test results and deaths from November 25 to December 1, 2020. Over the past week, 1,927 additional individuals tested positive for coronavirus, and 12 individuals died of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 20,997 cases and 876 deaths.
None of the individuals who died of COVID-19 resided in a long-term care facility. Of the new cases, 85 are in long-term care facilities. None of the reported positive COVID-19 cases resulted from antibody testing. More information is included in the linked weekly report.
“Our goals as we continue to fight COVID-19 in Montgomery County include protecting our hospitals and first responders,” said Dr. Val Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “For those elected school boards across the County that vote to offer in-school education, we want to keep our positivity rate and incidence rate of new cases as low as possible to minimize risk for students, teachers, support staff, and bus drivers in our schools. In addition, we want to continue to allow businesses that are operating safely without COVID-19 transmission to continue to operate.”
A full breakdown of all Montgomery County COVID-19 cases can be found on the COVID-19 Data Hub. The Hub hosts the County’s COVID-19 maps, data, and charts that show the number of daily cases and deaths related to COVID-19, including hospitalizations and ventilator use. There is also demographic information on cases by age, gender and race.
Virtual School Order: The Montgomery County Board of Health voted on November 13 to require all Montgomery County public and private K-12 schools to move to virtual or remote learning between November 23 and December 6. Health officials at the Montgomery County Office of Public Health and CHOP have determined that the move to virtual instruction is prudent given the current surge in community case counts, which can impact schools and school operations, in addition to an increase in hospitalizations in Montgomery County. The order seeks to prioritize the health and safety of the students, staff, and community. The order as passed allows schools to offer the educational method(s) they choose beginning on Monday December 7, 2020. Resuming in-person education does not require any vote or other action by the Montgomery County Board of Health.
No-Cost Flu Shots: The Montgomery County Office of Public Health continues to offer appointment-only flu shots. Flu shots are available at no cost to anyone age 6 months and older who live, work, or go to school in Montgomery County. Residents can call (610) 278-5145 to make an appointment at the Norristown Public Health Center, 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA 19404 (Entrance on DeKalb Street).
COVID-19 Testing Sites Hours Expanded: Starting this week, Montgomery County has expanded its operating hours to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its six community-based testing sites across the County. Testing is available to anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Montgomery County. Appointments can be made weekdays starting at 7 a.m. online or starting at 8:30 a.m. by calling (610) 970-2937.
COVID-19 Media Briefing: The next press briefing on COVID-19 cases and mitigation efforts will be held Wednesday, December 2, at 3 p.m. A link for media to register will be announced through a media advisory. It will be streamed live to the public on Montgomery County’s Facebook page.
For all other COVID-19 resources in Montgomery County, please visit https://www.montcopa.org/COVID-19.
Media Contact: Kelly Cofrancisco, kcofrancisco@montcopa.org