MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — There are 76 new positive coronavirus cases and 11 more deaths in Montgomery County bringing the total cases in the county since the start to 2,199 cases and the number of deaths to 120.
Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. Val Arkoosh says the only safe way to roll back social distancing efforts is to roll out widespread testing — both for the virus and for antibodies in the blood.
"But right now we don't have that. So in the absence of that, we're taking a huge chance if we start relaxing before we're at zero cases. But this is the decision we're going to have to make," Arkoosh said.
Arkoosh says without widespread, rapid testing capabilities, the safest way to roll back social distancing is to wait until there are zero new cases, then wait another two weeks before lifting stay-at-home orders.
"And I say all that fully acknowledging the economic toll that is being taken on families, on our kids who are all out of school, including mine. On all of our small businesses in particular and our large businesses. The economic toll is huge," she said.
Arkoosh says there is not enough available testing and results take too long.
"Under that scenario, if that doesn't change, the safest thing would be to wait until we have zero new cases, then go two more weeks and then look at starting to relax social distancing a little bit."
Arkoosh says if state or federal lawmakers decide to start lifting social distancing efforts, the county would have limited options, which include overseeing bars and restaurants or large gatherings that require a permit.
But she says viruses aren't limited by county or state lines, so she hopes the entire country bases decisions on data and science.
