Montco Partygoers Not Cooperating With Contact Tracers: Officials

NORRISTOWN, PA — Some Montgomery Couty partygoers who have come into contact with coronavirus have refused to cooperate with contact tracing officials working to contain the spread of the virus, officials said on Wednesday.

Officials reminded the public that contact tracing is "judgement free" and that the county has essential services available for individuals who need to quarantine following potential exposure.

"It is absolutely critical to the suppression of coronavirus in our region," Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said.

In many cases, these individuals have said they will notify the other partygoers themselves, rather than give their name to contact tracers.

"We appreciate that, but it's not enough," Arkoosh added, noting that contact tracers are able to answer questions about the virus, find out if the other individuals are experiencing any symptoms, and offer numerous critical services, including a place to stay for quarantine and help getting food while isolating.

Some individuals may not be able to quarantine at home if they live with other people and have no private space, or if they live with someone with a compromised immune system who is at high risk. Not everyone is always aware of the importance of these situations, making the role of contact tracers all the more important, officials said.

The county also urged residents to answer the phone when an "Unknown" caller shows up, as some contact tracing calls may come through in that manner. They may also come from Alcamo or VNA (Visiting Nurses Association), other public health groups which work with the county.

The county reported 59 new cases on Wednesday. Two of those cases were in long term care facilities, and three were among new commits to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, which means that 54 were in the community.

>>'Unacceptable' Delay In Montco Test Results Due To Rise In Cases

However, many of these tests were conducted weeks ago, due to what Arkoosh called a "serious lag" in the return on test results. Test results have been drastically slowed in recent weeks due to an increase in testing demand and an increase in cases nationwide, officials said.

Overall, as of Wednesday, there's been an average of 26.7 new daily cases for the last seven days, and 31.4 new cases a day for the last 14 days. These numbers are a slight increase from the weeks previous, but, in general, the metrics for the county remain good, with an overall testing positivity rate at 3.54 percent.

>>Where Coronavirus Has Increased In Montgomery County Since May

"Having our positivity rate less than five percent indicates that we have a pretty good control on this virus," Arkoosh added, while noting that "it's not going to go away, it's not going to go to zero until we have a vaccine in our midst."

Meanwhile, the total number of cases in nursing homes is down to an average of less than one a day, a trend that has continued unabated for all of July.

All told, the county has seen 9,150 cases and 817 deaths as of Wednesday.