Help stop coronavirus
DO THE FIVE
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
LODGING AND ACCOMMODATIONS RELIEF GRANT TO OPEN
The county is accepting applications for the Lodging and Accommodations COVID Relief Grant. It provides grants to qualifying lodging partners in Allegany County, to promote and encourage stabilization within Maryland’s hospitality industry. The county will receive nearly $115,000 in funding. Applications are being accepted today through Wednesday, May 26th. Applications can be found on the…
MARYLAND SURPASSES TEN MILLION COVID TESTS
Maryland is surpassing a new coronavirus response milestone. The state health department says more than ten-million COVID-19 tests have been administered since the beginning of the pandemic. Governor Larry Hogan noted the state continues to evolve its testing strategy with the recent expansion of mobile testing. The health department recommends that even fully-vaccinated people be…
INMATES OFFERED INCENTIVES FOR VACCINATIONS
Some inmates across the state are being offered an incentive for getting the COVID-19 vaccine. The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services has created the program that would offer stuff like snacks and commissary packages for those who get inoculated. The program has been running for a few weeks now, and officials say that…
HOGAN LIFTING MOST COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
Effective Saturday, COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted on all outdoor entertainment, art, and sports venues including ticketed events; and indoor entertainment venues, conventions, and other businesses, Gov. Larry Hogan said Wednesday. The only restriction that will remain in place for the time being is the indoor mask requirement, which can be lifted as soon as…
EIGHT NEW COVID CASES, ZERO ADDITIONAL DEATHS
The Allegany County Health Department is reporting eight new COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday, with zero additional deaths. The positivity rate is now below that of the state of Maryland; in Allegany County, the rate is 2.42 per cent. The state rate is 2.74 per cent. A third of the population has received their first…
VACCINE NOT REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS
Protection against COVID-19 will not be a requirement for students this fall across the state. That is the message from the Maryland Department of Health at this time. Meanwhile, Governor Larry Hogan wants all school districts to offer 100-percent in-person learning five-days a week. Some universities across Maryland are requiring students and staff to be…
MARYLAND COVID VACCINATIONS OUTPACING NATIONAL RATE
Maryland is outpacing the national COVID vaccination rate of just over 58-percent with 65-percent of state residents receiving at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine. Governor Larry Hogan says the state is well on track to surpass President Biden’s goal of 70-percent of adults with at least one dose by Independence Day. Hogan says the…
MOBILE CLINIC SUPPLIES VACCINE TO SEASONAL WORKERS
The Maryland Department of Health and the Vaccine Equity Task Force are supporting a mobile vaccination clinic at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore. The clinic is providing COVID-19 vaccinations to seasonal workers at Pimlico in advance of the 2021 Preakness Stakes, which will take place on Saturday. Health Secretary Dennis Schrader says the ground game in…
WALK-IN COVID CLINIC THURSDAY AT FAIRGROUNDS
A walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held Thursday at the Allegany County Fairgrounds Multipurpose Building from 9 to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. No appointment is necessary and both the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines will be offered. About a third of the county’s population has received the first dose of a…
COVID NUMBERS FALLING IN MARYLAND
COVID-19 numbers are down again in Maryland as health officials are reporting just over 270 new cases of the virus. That’s reportedly the lowest daily case count the state has had since July of last year. Hospitalizations and the statewide positivity rate are also declining. There are now fewer than 800 people in the state…
SIXTEEN ADDITIONAL COVID CASES, ZERO ADDITIONAL DEATHS
The Allegany County Health Department has reported 16 new COVID cases in the county as of late last week, with no additional deaths. The county positivity rate is now at 5.52 per cent; the state rate is well below that, at 3.53 per cent. On Friday, 83 people received COVID vaccinations at a walk-in clinic…
MARYLAND RECORDS 768 NEW COVID CASES
The state of Maryland has now administered more than 5-million doses of coronavirus vaccine and more than 2-point-2-million residents are fully vaccinated. The Department of Health has recorded 768 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the number of confirmed cases to more than 452,000 since the start of the pandemic. There have been eleven additional fatalities…
MINERAL COUNTY REPORTS 85TH COVID-RELATED DEATH
Mineral County has reported its 85th COVID-19 related death, a 92-year-old man. He had been hospitalized prior to his death. There was a recent spike in Mineral County, but those numbers have recently been on the decline. There were 79 cases as of yesterday, and there have been over 2500 throughout the pandemic. Just over…
MARYLAND PASSES FIVE MILLION COVID SHOTS
Maryland is passing a major milestone when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines administered. Governor Larry Hogan announced yesterday that the state has surpassed five-million coronavirus vaccines administered of at least one dose. The CDC says 63-percent of Marylanders 18 and older have received their first dose if not both. Walk-up vaccinations are now being offered…
COUNTY COVID-19 POSITIVITY RATE TOPS 5 PER CENT
The Allegany County Health Department is reporting 16 new cases of COVID-19 since Tuesday, and zero additional deaths. The county’s positivity rate is outpacing that of the state. Allegany County reports 5.19 per cent, while the state rate is 3.71. A walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held today from 9 a.mn. to noon, with…
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.