Montgomery County officials announced 69 new COVID-19 cases and 8 new deaths on Tuesday afternoon, including five new cases in the North Penn area and six new cases in the surrounding communities.
The 69 new cases marks the lowest single-day increase since April 2, according to data provided by the county, though Montgomery County Commissioners Chair Dr. Valerie Arkoosh said the numbers were artificially low due to minimal reporting from the community testing site.
In the North Penn area, Montgomery Township has the most cases with 94 and six deaths, followed by Hatfield Township with 89 and two deaths, Upper Gwynedd Township with 63 and 20 deaths, Lansdale Borough with 39 and one death, Towamencin Township with 39 and two deaths, Hatfield Borough with 14 cases and North Wales Borough with five cases.
Total cases in the North Penn area currently stand at 343 and 31 deaths. Cases in the neighboring communities are as follows:
Totals across the surrounding municipalities currently stand at 394 cases and 19 deaths. As of Tuesday afternoon, the only municipality within the county to not report a positive case is Bryn Athyn.
The countywide death toll from the coronavirus now stands at 172, of which 107 have come from residents of long-term care and congregate living facilities. Upper Gwynedd Township has the second highest amount of deaths in the county at 20, behind only Springfield Township with 34.
Regarding long-term care facilities, nursing homes and congregate living facilities across the county, there are 787 residents who have tested positive and 377 staff members who have tested positive. The breakdown of cases by facility is as follows:
Earlier on Tuesday, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine reported 1,296 new coronavirus cases, bringing the state’s total to 34,528.
For the first time, the state has begun including both positive cases—where a resident is tested and receives a positive—and probable cases—where a resident shows symptoms and was linked to a confirmed case but was not tested. As such, 981 of the cases reported on Tuesday were positive, and the other 315 were probable cases.
Additionally, 360 new deaths were reported, bringing the state’s total to 1,564—all of which have occurred in adults, and half of which have occurred in residents of nursing homes. Of the 360 new deaths, 300 were considered probable deaths, meaning the death certificate either listed COVID-19 as a cause or contributing factor without a positive test.
Levine reiterated that the increase in deaths over the past few days is a matter of reconciliation between reporting systems, and they did not happen overnight and are not related to any kind of surge.
“As we see the number of new COVID-19 cases continuously change across the state that does not mean we can stop practicing social distancing,” Levine said. “We must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families and our community. If you must go out, please make as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but others. We need all Pennsylvanians to continue to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our health care workers and frontline responders.”
In nursing and personal care homes, there are 5,026 resident cases of COVID-19, and 572 cases among employees, for a total of 5,598 at 396 distinct facilities in 38 counties. Out of the state’s total deaths, 796 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.
To date, 132,323 residents have tested negative.
See also:
Daily Update: County Reports 184 New Coronavirus Cases, North Penn Area Total At 338
Daily Update: Montco Reports 116 New Coronavirus Cases, North Penn Area Total At 313
Daily Update: Montgomery County Sees Highest Single-Day Increase Of Coronavirus Cases
Daily Update: 11 New COVID-19 Cases Reported Across North Penn Area, Countywide Total Over 2,400
Daily Update: North Penn Area Coronavirus Cases Increase To 265, Hatfield Township Up To 71
