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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
MARYLAND HEALTH: 1.2 MILLION CONFIRMED COVID CASES
Maryland Health has confirmed well over one-point-two-million cases of COVID-19 to date. In their latest update, health officials say that one-thousand-and-90 infections were added on Thursday. Just shy of 450-people are being treated in Maryland hospitals for the virus. Montgomery County leads the state with 222-thousand-235 cases overall.
HEALTH OFFICIALS, W.V. GOVERNOR DISAGREE WITH PRESIDENT
The official stance from West Virginia Governor Justice and members of the state’s coronavirus tax force is that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over. Their response came after President Biden’s remarks on “60 Minutes” Sunday night. Governor Justice admits that the pandemic has changed, but he feels the President’s comments were from “crazyland.” In West…
COMMUNITY LEVEL REMAINS “HIGH” IN ALLEGANY COUNTY
The Centers for Disease Control has listed the community COVID level as “high” in Allegany County and “medium” in Garrett County. The local positivity rate is 12.8 per cent. The case rates per 100,000 residents in Allegany were nearly twice that of the state, at 31.65; statewide, the rate is 16.33. The Maryland State Department…
MARYLAND HEALTH MONITORS COVID DATA
State health officials are continuing to keep a close eye on the spread of COVID-19. As of yesterday, Maryland Health has confirmed more than one-point-two-million cases statewide. The state recently surpassed 15,000 COVID related deaths. Hundreds of people remain hospitalized with the virus.
GOVERNOR AND FIRST LADY GET BIVALENT BOOSTER
Governor Larry Hogan and First Lady Yumi are feeling good after receiving an extra layer of protection against COVID-19. The couple recently got their single-dose bivalent booster shots. Hogan is encouraging all Marylanders to get the booster ahead of the holidays. Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dennis Schrader also got his bivalent booster and flu…
HOGAN URGES MARYLANDERS TO GET NEW BOOSTERS
Governor Larry Hogan is urging Marylanders to get the new COVID-19 boosters. The governor announced the state health department will launch public service announcements this fall encouraging residents to get the new bivalent vaccine and annual flu shots before the holidays. Hogan and First Lady Yumi Hogan recently received their COVID boosters ahead of the…
MARYLAND RANKED 12TH FOR COVID SAFETY
A recent survey puts Maryland ahead of most other states for its COVID pandemic response. WalletHub’s rankings are based on vaccinations, testing, hospitalizations, death rates and transmission. Maryland is 12th nationwide. According to the survey, Vermont is the safest COVID state and Louisiana came in last.
COMMUNITY COVID LEVEL REMAINS HIGH; BOOSTERS AVAILABLE
The Allegany County community COVID level remains high this week, with 151 new COVID cases reported, with three additional deaths. Cases per 100,000 residents is more than twice the state of Maryland, and the local positivity rate is 14.83 per cent. Approximately 56.5 per cent of the county has been fully vaccinated, based on CDC…
MARYLAND ADDS 890 COVID CASES
COVID-19 continues to raise concerns for health officials across the Maryland. Another 890 new infections were added on Thursday. It bumps the overall total up to more than one-point-two-million-cases. The state’s positivity rate sits at ten-point-ten-percent.
WV URGES ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS TO GET NEW COVID BOOSTER
West Virginia health officials are urging eligible residents to get the updated COVID-19 Omicron booster for individuals 12 and older. Shipments of the Omicron boosters are being received in West Virginia. Residents will be able to get them at pharmacies and their local health departments as soon as they receive them. Officials say the new…
COVID RATE REMAINS HIGH
Allegany County remains at the “high” COVID community level, as determined by the Centers for Disease Control. There have been 382 new cases and two additional deaths since August 19th. Both the cases per 100,000 and the positivity rate are nearly twice the state average, Approximately 56.5 per cent of Allegany County residents have been…
MARYLAND ADDS 961 COVID CASES ON WEDNESDAY
COVID-19 continues to cause concerns for health officials across Maryland. As of Wednesday, Maryland Health has confirmed one-point-two-million cases to date. It includes 961-infections added yesterday. Just over 500-Marylanders are receiving hospital treatment for the virus.
COVID TEST DEADLINE
Today is the last day you can request a free COVID at-home test from the federal government. Lack of funding, and the fear of running out of test if COVID-19 spikes again this fall is what is putting the stop to the program. The state Department of Health and Human Resources will still have testing…
COVID CASES DOWN IN 60 OF 67 COUNTIES
COVID cases are down in 60 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. One of the biggest declines for the week that ended on Sunday was in Allegheny County, with less than two-thousand cases down from nearly 32-hundred the week before. Some of the worst outbreaks for the week were in Fayette County with over 300 cases per…
MARYLAND TRANSPARENT DURING COVID BRIEFINGS
Maryland has received a top ranking for American Sign Language access during the COVID-19 press briefings. The state came in at number-3 out of all 50-states in a study done by the National Association of the Deaf. Governor Larry Hogan said it was important to make sure that every Marylander was informed during such a…
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
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