Latest on the Coronavirus pandemic in Montgomery County, including one thing we do not believe is commonly understood

Montgomery County reports that there were 46 new cases of Coronavirus reported on August 18th and 40 on August 19th. That brings the total number of cases countywide since the start of the pandemic to 10,351.

One death was reported over those two days (on August 18). That brings the total number of deaths in August to four and the number countywide since the start of the pandemic to 824.

During a press conference on August 19th, Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. Val Arkoosh reported that the number of patients hospitalized in hospitals throughout the county totals approximately 47. Four patients require a ventilator.

The 14-day PCR positivity rate is 2.79%. The rate has been below 3% since August 4th and below 5% since June 18th. Having this number below 5% is considered having the virus under control.

The county’s agreement with a lab in North Carolina is now in live. Testing results from the county’s testing sites are now guaranteed within 36 hours.

During the press conference, Dr. Arkoosh also pointed out something that we found interesting (and not what we believe is commonly understood). A negative test after you are believed to have been exposed and told to quarantine for 14-days does not release you from quarantine. Dr. Arhoosh stated that there are cases where a person didn’t test positive until 12 or 13 days after exposure.

DATEDaily Positive Test ResultsGoal to Move to Yellow Phase
6-Aug3330
7-Aug3130
8-Aug5730
9-Aug3930
10-Aug3330
11-Aug3930
12-Aug4030
13-Aug5030
14-Aug4330
15-Aug5430
16-Aug4130
17-Aug2630
18-Aug4630
19-Aug4030
14 DAY AVERAGE40.85714286
14 DAY TOTAL572
14 Day AVERAGE GOAL30
DIFFERENCE10.85714286

The two charts above show the number of positive cases reported over the past 14 days. The number of cases over the past 14 days is 69 less than the previous 14 days. The number of cases over the past seven days is 28 more than the previous seven days.

The local data is as follows:

  • Ambler is at 157 cases, which is one more than since August 17th. There have been 16 deaths, which is no change
  • Lower Gwynedd is at 175 cases, which is no change since August 17th. There have been 35 deaths, which is no change
  • Upper Dublin is at 252 cases, which is three more than since August 17th. There have been 17 deaths, which is no change
  • Whitpain is at 175 cases, which is three more than since August 17th. There have been 14 deaths, which is no change

You can view all of the latest data here.

You can watch the August 19th press conference below.