COVID-19 has come to the western end of Montgomery County. Late last week, the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners announced the discovery of a presumptive positive diagnosis in the Douglass Township. On March 16, Commissioners Chair Dr. Valerie Arkoosh announced the county's first pediatric case, in New Hanover.

            According to Arkoosh, a 38-year-old man from Douglass Township is at home being monitored after making previous contact with someone who identified as presumptive positive. On Monday, the commissioner provided details of a presumed positive case of a two-year-old female. She said the toddler lives with an adult who made contact with a person diagnosed as a presumed positive person in the county.

            "I'm sorry to have to share this with you," she said during a daily news conference broadcast on the county's Facebook page.

            On Tuesday, the commissioner announced the discovery of a presumptive positive case in a 39-year-old Lower Salford resident. According to Arkoosh, the man – who is being monitored at home – has traveled extensively in the county.

            The total number of Coronavirus cases in the county grew to 34, the highest number of any of the 63 counties in the state. Statewide, the number of confirmed cases grew to 96 as of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, according to information posted on the Pennsylvania Department of Health's website. Eight cases have been identified in Bucks County and one has been discovered in Lehigh County.

            A mitigation policy implemented by the governor on March 12 called for the closure of all schools and licensed childcare centers and adult daycare centers. Wolf recommended that people refrain from non-essential travel and that all non-essential retail facilities close. Supermarkets, pharmacies and gas stations were permitted to remain open, according to a news release.

            Further, the Wolf administration strongly encouraged the suspension of large gatherings, events, conferences of 250 individuals or more and requests that religious leaders exercise discretion in order to mitigate the pandemic. The decree also discourages individuals from traveling to recreational activities like gyms, movie theaters and shopping malls.

            On Sunday, Wolf ordered all restaurants and bars to close their dine-in facilities in Allegheny Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties for 14 days, starting at 12:01 a.m. on Monday. Businesses that do not adhere to this order could face enforcement actions, according to a news release posted on the governor's website.

            On Monday afternoon, Wolf announced the expansion of those non-essential business limitations throughout the Commonwealth.

            "It's not a decision I take lightly," he said during a news conference in Harrisburg. "I am making it because medical experts believe it is the only way to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed by patients."

            On Monday, a news release from state Sen. Bob Mensch, R-24th Dist. announced Wolf's expansion of social distancing and mitigation measures to Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties. It states that federal, state and local officials representing Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties are asking residents to refrain from non-essential travel and for non-essential retail facilities to close. They also ask that business owners for non-essential services use their best judgements when making the decision to close or remain open.

            Supermarkets, pharmacies and gas stations will remain open. Essential services will also continue to be available, such as police, fire and emergency medical services, and essential services for vulnerable populations, according to the release.

            The Commonwealth's Department Community and Economic Development and the Department of Health are reaching out to businesses to provide guidance on the types of businesses that are urged to close, according to a March 15 letter from the Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce. The letter also indicates to businesses that financial assistance opportunities are available to mitigate the financial impact of closures.

            Workers in Pennsylvania who are impacted by the virus may be eligible for Unemployment and Workers' Compensation benefits. On Monday, Jerry Oleksiak, the Commonwealth's Secretary of Labor & Industry, announced that workers may be eligible for benefits if their employers temporarily close or go out of business, reduces hours, you have been told not to work because your employer feels you might get or spread the virus, you have been told to quarantine or self-isolate, or live/work in a county under government-recommended mitigation efforts.

            The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has suspended the issuance of REAL ID driver licenses and photo ID cards at all Driver License Centers in Montgomery, Berks, Bucks and Lehigh counties until no sooner than March 28. All PennDOT rest areas and welcome centers in Montgomery County have been closed.

            Beginning Monday night, commuters on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission stopped accepting cash at any interstates. A news release issued by the agency describes it as a temporary safety measure to keep travelers moving and prevent transmission of the Coronavirus.

            Customers who do not have an E-ZPass account should continue to use lanes marked "Tickets" on entry and "Cash" on exit, however they should keep moving through the lane at the posted speed without stopping. Instead of paying their toll on the roadway, they will receive a PA Turnpike TOLL BY PLATE invoice through the mail, according to the release.

            In accordance with the CDC's guidance regarding food service and public space, the commission has implemented partial closures of all 17 service plazas along its 552-mile roadway. This means that no fast-food or inside dining will be available. Inside restrooms are closed, according to a separate news release.

            Montgomery County Courts and Offices were closed Monday and Tuesday for COVID-19 Mitigation Planning, according to a message on the county's website. Officials resumed a limited service schedule Wednesday. 

            All state stores in Montgomery and Bucks counties will remain closed until further notice. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board shuttered 36 Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores in Montgomery County and 31 in Bucks County on Tuesday, according to information provided by the agency.

            St. Luke's University Health Network has launched a Coronavirus telephone and email hotline to respond to inquiries from patients and the public. Call 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537), option 7 or send an email message to coronavirus@sluhn.org.