2 Coronavirus Cases In Lower Merion, Montco Officials Say

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — Two people in Lower Merion Township have presumed cases of novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, according to county health officials.

Montgomery County’s Office of Public Health recently that two presumed cases are individuals are a man and woman who both live in the same household in Lower Merion Township.

As of Monday, Pennsylvania has 10 presumed cases of the illness.

Seven of the cases are in Montgomery County, one is in Delaware County, one is in Monroe County, and another in Wayne County.

Three patients are hospitalized, the others are quarantined, officials said. One of the patients in Montgomery County is in critical condition.

All of the cases as of Monday are travel related, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said during a Monday press conference. She said the department fully expects community spread of the disease, however.

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Montgomery County officials said the Lower Merion patients have mild symptoms that do not require hospitalization and are in isolation at home.

The suspected cases are being monitored and health authorities are seeking to identify and contact anyone who may have been in close contact with the couple.

No other details about the patients will be released to protect their privacy. The couple do not have school-age children, according to officials.

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"Montgomery County officials have been preparing for the eventuality of COVID-19 within the County and are taking the appropriate steps," said Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. "I want to remind everyone to follow the CDC COVID-19 prevention guidelines, and if you have symptoms stay at home and call your healthcare provider."

Lower Merion Township officials have been working closely with the county’s Offices of Public Health and Department of Public Safety since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Township officials said their primary role is to keep residents informed of any development with the illness in the area.

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Officials said they will use social media, the township website, and Blackboard Connect notification system — which will send out information via phone, email and/or text, depending on your subscription — to update residents on the coronavirus as new information is learned.

Should the virus affect the township workforce, the plan is to concentrate on continuing to provide essential township services while curtailing other non-essential services, if necessary.

Additionally, the Lower Merion School District laid out its plans in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in its community. See details on the district's plans here.

As of Sunday night, more than 530 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the United States. Twenty-one people in the United States have died as of Sunday evening.

To date, there are nearly 100,000 cases of the coronavirus worldwide, including more than 3,300 deaths.

President Donald Trump Friday signed an $8.3 billion measure that the U.S. Senate approved Thursday to tackle the new coronavirus outbreak, which surged to more than 100,000 confirmed cases overnight into Friday.

A lab in Chester County begun testing for the virus last week. The CDC said in late January that it would be screening passengers at the Philadelphia International Airport for the illness.

According to Pennsylvania health officials, travelers who are self-monitoring their health and practicing social distancing should:

• Take your temperature with a thermometer twice day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
• Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period.
• If you must leave your home, do not take public transportation, taxis or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.
• If you must leave your home, avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.
• Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).

Pennsylvanians are encouraged to help stop the spread of viruses by:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones and other frequently touched items.
• If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with others.

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