4 More Coronavirus Cases In Montgomery Co., Bringing Total To 17

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Four new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Montgomery County on Friday morning, bringing the county's total up to 17 and the state total up to 28. Dozens of individuals who may have had contact with the infected are in self-quarantine, and their symptoms are being monitored.

The county has discovered new positive tests every day this week. Tests on hundreds of more individuals are underway. There are 28 cases of coronavirus all told in Pennsylvania.

On Thursday, Gov. Wolf shut down all schools, community centers, and entertainment centers in Montgomery County. He strongly recommended all nonessential businesses to close, and most of them, including the Plymouth Meeting and Willow Grove Park malls, Valley Forge Casino, Elmwood Park Zoo, and others, did close.

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King of Prussia Mall, along with the other Simon Mall property, Montgomery Mall will not shut down. They cited that Gov. Wolf "did not define what nonessential retail is."

>>Montgomery County Coronavirus Closures: What's Shut Down, And What's Not

Montgomery County is preparing to expand its testing capability, if need be. Tents have been set up at Audubon Elementary School in Lower Providence to handle future needs. That site is not yet active.

The county is also preparing for the April 28 primary election. Officials are urging residents to vote by mail-in ballot, and legislation is pending that would make the entire state mail-in only.

Some of the cases in the local area were traced back to families that had contact with a CHOP doctor in King of Prussia who later tested positive. The doctor had treated dozens of children while infected.

The number of cases of the illness continue to rise nationwide, and additional school closures are being announced. The World Health Organization on Wednesday officially declared the outbreak a pandemic.

>>KOP Mall To Remain Open Amid Coronavirus Outbreak