Lansdale Area Coronavirus Updates: Parks, How To Help, Deaths

LANSDALE, PA — As the coronavirus outbreak continues in Pennsylvania, the Lansdale and Montgomeryville areas have seen vast impacts on the economy, schools, stores, and everyday life.

The number of cases continue to rise, though Montgomery County officials are optimistic that the peak of the outbreak could be approaching. The governor has declared a statewide stay-at-home order. All non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania have been closed.

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As of Wednesday afternoon, there are 26 cases in Lansdale and 35 in Montgomery Township. Neither has yet recorded any deaths.

Nearby, Hatfield Township has 37 cases, Worcester 17, Towamencin 11, Upper Gwynedd 8, Hatfield borough 7, and North Wales 1.

Upper Gwynedd has recorded 8 deaths — three of them announced Wednesday — and Hatfield Township 1.

There are 1, 402 cases of coronavirus in Montgomery County, along with 43 deaths. The total number of cases in Pennsylvania stands at 14,599 as of Tuesday; more than 1,300 of those people have have been hospitalized.

Here are the latest local updates from the Lansdale area:

SCHOOLS

All schools in Pennsylvania are closed indefinitely response to the new coronavirus outbreak, state officials said. North Penn has launched its online learning program.

Free lunches continue to be distributed. MORE.

PARKS

Some residents continue to flout social distancing at local parks. Towamencin has threatened closures. MORE.

TRANSIT

SEPTA has restricted some of its regional rail lines, and suspended others. The Lansdale line remains running on a limited schedule, only running between Center City and Lansdale. MORE.

BUSINESSES

Patch has put together a directory for Lansdale area businesses to let the public know if they're open or closed. The public can view the directory here. Businesses can get listed here. MORE.

Montgomeryville's recently opened Ocean State Job Lots is now offering free fabric to customers to make their own homemade masks. MORE.

Montgomery County has launched a new 'MontcoStrong' program to provide $1 million in relief to eligible businesses. MORE.

The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is selling gift cards to support local businesses. They're matching purchase up to $2,500 in an effort to immediately inject $5,000 into Montgomery County's economy. Learn more.

DONATIONS/HOW TO HELP

Abington-Jefferson Health is accepting donations for Abington and Abington-Lansdale hospitals of medical equipment and funds. MORE.

Red Cross is holding a blood drive at Immanuel Church in Lansdale on April 20. Learn more.

PRISONS

Three officers at Montgomery County Correctional Facility have tested positive for the virus. MORE.

An SCI Phoenix inmate in Montgomery County became the first inmate in the state prison system to test positive for the virus. MORE.

TESTING AND ASSESSMENT SITES

The temporary, drive-thru coronavirus testing site at Temple University-Ambler will close on Friday, April 10 as federal funding is withdrawn. MORE.

Tower Health has established assessment sites in Plymouth Meeting and Gilbertsville. MORE.

All Montgomery County hospitals now offer testing sites.

GOVERNMENT

An $11 million project to rehabilitate Lansdale's SEPTA substation began this week. The project will replace an 8-year-old substation, and ensure more reliable power for the trains on the Lansdale/Doylestown line. Work will continue through spring or summer of 2021.

The Lansdale SEPTA garage remains closed to the public.

The borough council will remotely hold their Work Session on Wednesday, April 8 at 7 p.m. The public can watch; email feedback@lansdale.org or call 267-638-9345 to register.

CENSUS

Montgomery County officials are urging residents to take the time to complete the 2020 census. The information gathered is crucial in how federal and state funds are allocated for vital projects involving hospitals, first responders, schools, roads, and more. You can complete the census online here.

CANCELATIONS/CLOSURES

All Easter Sunday masses have been canceled in the Philadelphia Archdiocese due to coronavirus. MORE.