Montgomery County has extended its COVID-19 declaration of emergency for another 60 days, after tests showed an increase in the case rate.
Board President Valerie Arkoosh, a doctor, said Thursday that 8.1% of county residents tested positive during the 14 days ended April 8, compared to 7.1% in the two weeks. finished April 1st.
“As our cases increase, so do hospitalizations,” Arkoosh said. As of Wednesday, there were at least 213 county residents in hospitals with COVID-19, up from 206 a week earlier.
Arkoosh said during the commissioner’s virtual meeting Thursday that residents must continue to wear masks and maintain social distance to try to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
He said the county has “stopped” the use of the Johnson & Johnson single vaccine until further guidance from the federal government. Montgomery will continue to administer the inoculation of Pfizer Inc.
Arkoosh and his Democrat Kenneth Lawrence Jr. then voted to extend the county’s COVID-19 emergency declaration for 60 days. Republican Joseph Gale voted no. Gale has opposed pandemic restrictions on businesses and schools. He did not comment on his vote Wednesday.
Prior to the vote, Lawrence asked County Attorney Josh Stein to confirm that the declaration of emergency only applies to county government operations and reimbursement of state and federal pandemic costs.
The statement “has nothing to do with the closure of businesses or the opening of schools or any restrictions on COVID,” Lawrence said.
“That’s absolutely right,” Stein said.
Arkoosh noted that COVID fatigue could be affecting some residents, as the pandemic extends to its 58th week. In a statement Wednesday, he said the storms have erupted in some places in the county of vaccines.
“It is never acceptable to call, deny or harass clinic staff,” he said.
Commissioners also reviewed Thursday appointments to the Montgomery County Community College board. Gale opposed the new appointment of Marcel Groen, who has been active in the leadership of the Pennsylvania and county Democratic parties.
Gale said he opposes the political appointments of people from either party to advisory boards. Arkoosh and Lawrence prevailed in a 2-1 vote.
Arkoosh is running in the U.S. Senate Democratic primary. Gale is running for governor of the Republican side and his brother Sean is running in the Republican Senate primaries.
The next board meeting will be on April 19 at 10 a.m. It will be held virtually and broadcast on Facebook. Meeting recordings are posted on the county’s YouTube site.