NORRISTOWN, PA – Montgomery County officials and the
Office of Public Health (OPH) today reported COVID-19 test results and deaths from December 2 to December 8, 2020. Over the past week, 3,427 additional people tested positive for coronavirus, and 18 people died of COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 24,420 cases and 894 deaths.
Three of the individuals who died of COVID-19 resided in a long-term care facility. Of the new cases, 103 of the new cases are in long-term care facilities. None of the reported positive COVID-19 cases resulted from antibody testing. More information is included in the
attached weekly report.
“Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 continue to increase in Montgomery County,” said Dr. Val Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “As a reminder, both hospitalizations and deaths lag behind cases so we assume that we have not yet seen the peak in hospitalizations or deaths with this surge. We want to remind our residents to continue to work from home if you are able to. Do not carpool unless you drive with the windows open and every person in the car has on a mask for the entire drive. Everyone should limit their non-essential trips and travel and always wear a mask when near non-household contacts, including when outdoors.”
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.
New Guidance for Returning to Work & School: Montgomery County has updated its return to work and school guidance to reflect the latest recommendations from the CDC and the Commonwealth. This includes information on when people should discontinue quarantine if they test positive for the virus or if they were in close contact with someone who tested positive. In addition, residents can now request a return to work letter electronically from the County. Updated information is available at
www.montcopa.org/covidreturn.
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: 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 9, 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 and a recording will be uploaded on the
County’s Public Safety YouTube channel.