Montgomery County officials today reported the first death from COVID-19. The 72-year-old male, who resided in Abington Township and had been hospitalized for several days, died on March 21, 2020.

https://www.montcopa.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5115

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: First Coronavirus Death Reported in Montgomery County

33 New Cases Reported, Total Cases is 110

Norristown, PA (March 22, 2020) – Montgomery County officials today reported the first death from COVID-19. The 72-year-old male, who resided in Abington Township and had been hospitalized for several days, died on March 21, 2020.

“Today, we are deeply saddened to announce the first loss of life to COVID-19 in Montgomery County. On behalf of our entire community, we extend our most heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of this individual,” said Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh, Chair, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “While most people with COVID-19 exhibit mild or moderate symptoms, this loss of life underscores the urgent need for everyone to stay at home, unless absolutely necessary, to protect individuals who are particularly vulnerable to developing more serious illness, including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, as well as our critical workforceslike healthcare workers and first responders.”

Additionally, Montgomery County officials and the Office of Public Health (OPH) reported 33 additional individuals who tested positive with COVID-19, bringing the countywide total to 110 cases.

These positive individuals are from 14 municipalities, four of which are reporting their first cases. Here is a breakdown of today’s reported cases:

Age Range: 27 to 77

Average Age: 51.8 Age

Brackets: (2) 20 – 29, (6) 30 – 39, (5) 40 – 49, (10) 50 – 59, (6) 60 – 69, (4) 70 - 79

Gender: 15 females, 18 males

Hospitalized: (16) No, (16) Unknown, (1) Yes

The County map found at www.montcopa.org/covid-19 provides updated geographic and demographic information.

NEWS MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS VALERIE A. ARKOOSH, MD, MPH, CHAIR KENNETH E. LAWRENCE, JR., VICE CHAIR JOSEPH C. GALE, COMMISSIONER Contact: Teresa Harris | Public Affairs Manager | 610-278-3062 | [email protected]

“While this is the largest single-day total of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Montgomery County, given the increased access to testing over the past week, including the Community Based Testing Center which opened on Friday, we fully anticipated seeing an increase in the number of positive individuals,” said Arkoosh. The Montgomery County COVID-19 drive-through testing site at Temple University’s Ambler Campus in Upper Dublin Township opened on May 20. More than 825 individuals have registered, and approximately 680 individuals will have completed testing by the end of the day today. The testing site will remain open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., by appointment only as testing supplies allow. Testing appointments are still available for individuals that meet the required criteria.

For more information and to register for an appointment, visit www.montcopa.org/COVID-19 or call 610.631.3000.

The COVID-19 outbreak continues to be a rapidly evolving situation. To get the latest information and updates regarding COVID-19, please visit the Montco COVID-19 Data Hub at www.montcopa.org/covid-19.