Help stop coronavirus
DO THE FIVE
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
FIVE ADDITIONAL COVID DEATHS REPORTED
There have been five additional deaths and 251 new cases of COVID-19 since Monday, bringing the county’s total number of cases to 2,583, with a total of 16 deaths from COVID-19. Allegany County’s numbers continue to rise, with a case rate of 166.76 per 100,000, more than four times the state average. The current positivity…
MINERAL COUNTY REPORTS 15TH COVID-19 DEATH
An eighth resident of Piney Valley nursing home in Keyser has died from COVID-19 complications; this brings to 15, the total number of deaths in Mineral County. Piney Valley has been the site of an ongoing outbreak that has seen 70 residents and 34 employees test positive for the disease. As of yesterday, Mineral County…
GARRETT COUNTY REPORTING 125 MORE COVID CASES
The Garrett County Health Department has been notified of 125 additional positive COVID-19 results since Monday, bringing the county’s current total positives to 684. The 7-day positivity rate among Garrett County residents stands at 13.89; the state rate is 6.52 per cent. The 7-day case rate per 100,000 among Garrett County residents is 106.84; the…
PRAYER VIGIL SET FOR SUNDAY
The Pastoral Care and Foundation Departments at UPMC-Western Maryland are joining with Central Assembly of God and other churches to hold a prayer vigil Sunday evening. People are invited to gather in the parking lot Sunday at 6 p.m. to pray and show appreciation to the health care workers at the hospital, and to let…
COURTS TO FURTHER RESTRICT OPERATIONS
The Maryland court system will further restrict operations and reduce the types of cases that will be heard virtually or in person due to the surge in coronavirus cases. District and Circuit courts will return to Phase II of the judiciary’s reopening plan, beginning Monday. District Court judges will still hear certain types of cases.…
ADDITIONAL DEATH REPORTED IN GARRETT COUNTY
The Garrett County Health Department has been notified of an additional death due to COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths to four. Garrett County Health Officer Bob Stephens, while expressing condolences to the families of those who have passed, noted that senior citizens have been particularly hard hit during the pandemic. The Health Department…
MINERAL REPORTS THREE COVID-19 DEATHS
Six more deaths have been attributed to COVID-19 in Mineral County. The Health Department announced three deaths on Monday and three on Tuesday, raising the county death toll to 14. Four of the victims were residents of Piney Valley Nursing Home in Keyser, which has been the site of an ongoing outbreak that has seen…
FROSTBURG TO HOLD COVID TEST EVENT
The city of Frostburg, in partnership with AEON Technologies of Frostburg, will be sponsoring a COVID test event for employees working at restaurants, retailers, in-person service providers, and manufacturers within the city limits of Frostburg. The Mayor and Council there hopes that by providing a single testing event for essential and small business workers, businesses…
HOGAN ANNOUNCES FURTHER COVID-19 PREVENTION EFFORTS
The Maryland State Police will be out, in force, over the Thanksgiving holiday, to not only monitor drunk and drugged driving, but also to enforce state mandates to stem the COVID-19 surge in the state. During a press conference today, the Governor announced that the Maryland State Police will be investigating violations of state law,…
NINE ADDITIONAL COVID-19 DEATHS SINCE FRIDAY
There have been nine additional COVID-19 deaths in Allegany County since Friday, according to the Allegany County Health Department. There have been 149 new positive cases. The cumulative number of cases now stands at 2,332, with a total of 56 deaths. The county’s case rate is 165.34 per 100,000, more than four times the state…
GARRETT COUNTY REPORTS 48 NEW COVID-19 CASES
The Garrett County Health Department is reporting 48 additional positive COVID-19 results since the last report on Friday, bringing the current county total positives to 599. The Health Department and its local community partners tested just over 400 people at a drive-through community event last Friday. Garrett County’s 7-day positivity rate in the county is…
SEVEN ADDITIONAL COVID-19 DEATHS IN ALLEGANY COUNTY
As of Friday, the Allegany County Health Department reported seven additional deaths and 274 new cases of COVID-19. The county’s cumulative number of cases now stands at 2,183 with a total of 47 deaths. The current case rate is more than four times the state rate; Allegany County reports 145.46 per 100,000 while the state…
TWO DEATHS IN GARRETT COUNTY
The Garrett County Health Department is reporting two deaths, attributed to COVID-19, along with 112 additional positive cases. Both of the fatal cases were living in Allegany County long-term care facilities, but the official residency was in Garrett County. The cases range from those less than nine years old to a female in her 80’s.…
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY REPORTS SECOND COVID-19 DEATH
Hampshire County has recorded its second COVID-19 related death. The first occurred in early April, while the most recent one was reported on Friday; an 85-year-old died of complications of the virus at Hampshire Memorial Hospital. Meanwhile, there has been an outbreak of the virus at the office of the Hampshire Review newspaper, and a…
SCHOOL SYSTEM REPORTS 15 CASES
The Allegany County Public School system is reporting 15 individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last week. They will complete the required isolation period. Contact tracing in 10 of the cases indicated no close contacts and no need to quarantine staff or students. In the remaining five cases, close contacts…
Daily Prevention and Preparedness
At this time, there is no vaccine for COVID-19. Prevention of COVID-19 centers on frequent hand-washing, covering coughs and sneezes and separating people who have respiratory symptoms.
Treatment for COVID-19, as with any coronavirus infection like the common cold, includes the use of over-the-counter fever-relievers,
drinking plenty of fluids and resting at home to help relieve symptoms. Those with more severe symptoms may be hospitalized to provide additional support.
While much remains unknown about COVID-19, the CDC reports that people who are elderly and who have chronic health conditions appear to be at higher risk for infection. These chronic conditions may include cancer, diabetes, heart disease or any issue that lowers the body’s immunity to germs.
Information and updates about COVID-19 in Maryland—including up-to-date testing and confirmed case count information—are available at health.maryland.gov/coronavirus. The page is updated every morning.
Additional information about COVID-19, including the latest CDC travel advisories, can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.
Prevention Tips
Wash your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.Maintain social distancing
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick. Practice respiratory hygiene
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider
Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.
Maryland’s Coronavirus Information
UPMC – WESTERN MARYLAND VISITATION POLICY
MARYLAND BUSINESS RESOURCE PAGE
ALLEGANY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OFFICIAL SITE
On January 29, Governor Hogan directed all state agencies to take every precaution to prepare and mobilize whatever resources are necessary to address COVID-19. This week, the governor will submit a $10 million emergency funding request to the General Assembly as part of a supplemental budget.
- Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) and MDH, in coordination with theMaryland Hospital Association, are coordinating on surge planning, including ambulance re-routing plans, suspension of voluntary admissions, enhanced methods of medical monitoring for home-bound patients with mild to moderate symptoms.
- The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) is coordinating with University System of Maryland institutions that are bringing home students who are studying abroad in Italy and Japan.
- MDH is coordinating with nursing homes and assisted living facilities to review and reiterate guidance on infection control and medical management.
- MDH is coordinating with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to provide guidance to local school systems on protocols for school closures.
- MDH is coordinating with the Maryland Hospital Association to work with all the local hospitals on surge plans and preparedness.
- The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is actively engaged with travelers to ensure they have information they need and are following the CDC guidelines. The Port of Baltimore is also engaged in similar screening protocols.
- MDH continues to participate in daily briefing calls with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and federal partners. MDH also continues to coordinate with local health departments as well as other state agencies on preparedness and response to the virus.
- MDH has released public service announcements regarding statewide preparedness efforts.
- All state agencies have reviewed their Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans and submitted them to the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.
- Information Hotline Established to Address COVID-19 Concerns (3-9-20)
- West Virginia State Lab Now Able to Conduct Tests for COVID-19 (3-7-20)
- Governor Jim Justice Press Release (3-4-20): “The health and safety of all West Virginians is the highest priority and we are monitoring coronavirus around the clock”
- DHHR Prepares for Potential Spread of COVID-19 (2-26-20)
- For additional information, please visit CDC’s Situation Summary, view States Reporting Cases of COVID-19 to CDC, or call DHHR’s COVID-19 information hotline 24/7, toll-free at 1-800-887-4304.
Community spread means the spread of illness for which the source of infection is unknown. On February 26, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed a COVID-19 case in California in a person who reportedly did not have relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient with COVID-19. It is possible that this could be the first instance of community spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. However, it is also possible that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected. This is an rapidly evolving situation, so information and recommendations may change. We will continue to learn more in the coming days and share new information as it is available.
Daily COVID-19 report (updated every evening)
485 – 03/11/20 – UPD – Updated: COVID-19 Specimen Collection and Shipping Guidance
Businesses fact sheet update
Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of COVID-19 in nursing homesOpens In A New Window
Guidance for use of Certain Industrial Respirators by Health Care PersonnelOpens In A New Window
PA Department of Health – www.health.pa.gov
PA Emergency Management Agency – www.pema.pa.gov and daily televised briefings
PA Department of Community and Economic Development- www.dced.gov
PA Department of Labor and Industry- www.dli.pa.gov
Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communitieswith Local COVID-19 Transmission
Information from Maryland Emergency Management Agency, MDH, West Virginia Health and Human Resources, PA Dept of Health, the DPH, Allegany Co Board of Ed, and CDC
©Forever Media, Inc.