PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As COVID-19 cases in Montgomery County climb, health officials are asking residents to follow guidelines or there could be "an exponential surge" in cases.
Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. Val Arkoosh said the 14 day positivity rate in the county, now at 3.16%, is up nearly a percentage point over last week, and hospitalizations have gone up as well.
She pointed to a model from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s policy lab showing that the next couple weeks could bring a “very dramatic, exponential surge of cases.”
She said there are several factors leading to the fall resurgence — in cooler temperatures, the virus can stay in the air longer. And, she said, since COVID-19 numbers in the county have been low for so long, some people have become more relaxed about masks and social distancing.
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“And others are still not wearing a mask and ignoring guidelines,” she said.
She said social gatherings continue to be among the leading causes of spread, and anyone thinking of hosting an indoor Halloween party this week is asked to reconsider holding it outside or to cancel it.
She also urged residents to download the free COVID Alert PA phone app.