Montgomery County In Coronavirus '4th Wave'

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — The latest metrics show that cases are continuing a slight climb in Montgomery County after months of falling, part of a "fourth wave" of the virus that has also impacted the rest of the state and certain regions around the country.

Montgomery County's percent positivity rate remains at 5.7 percent, the same rate as last week, after rising from 4.8 percent, according to the state's Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard System. The total number of weekly cases rose from 900 to 947, the most recent statistics show, covering the period from March 12 through March 18.

Authorities continue to warn not to gather in groups for the coming holiday weekend.

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"Please be aware of these rising numbers as you think about plans for Passover and Easter," Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said last weekend.

Cases of the new, more contagious United Kingdom variant of coronavirus, also known as B117, have been increasing in the county. A total of 35 cases had been found as of last week, and this variant is expected to become much more widespread in coming weeks and months.

In addition to the variant, the latest wave in cases could be tied to general fatigue over the virus leading to decreased safety precautions, health experts say.

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The county's incidence rate per 100,000 residents also increased from 108 to 114.

Unlike last week, healthcare metrics around the county also showed increases this week.

The average daily hospitalizations rose from 109 to 136, while the average daily patients on ventilators increased from 6 to 11. The percentage of emergency room visits due to coronavirus symptoms remains at 0.4 percent.

Statewide, the percent positivity rate went up more than a full point last week, from 6.5 to 7.6 percent.