Montgomery County sees rise in COVID cases, extends emergency order

Montgomery County has extended its COVID-19 emergency declaration for another 60 days, after testing showed a rising rate of cases.

Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Valerie Arkoosh, a physician, said Thursday that 8.1% of county residents tested positive over the 14 days ended April 8, up from 7.1% for the two weeks ended April 1.

“As our case numbers go up, so do our hospitalizations,” Arkoosh said. As of Wednesday, there were at least 213 county residents in hospitals with COVID-19, up from 206 a week earlier.

Arkoosh said during the virtual commissioner meeting Thursday that residents have to continue wearing masks and maintaining social distance to try to fight the spread of the coronavirus.

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