Help stop coronavirus
DO THE FIVE
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
ADDITIONAL BOOSTER CLINICS SLATED
The COVID-19 vaccine booster appointments for this week filled quickly, so the Allegany County Health Department has announced additional Moderna booster clinics for next Tuesday and Wednesday, November 2nd and 3rd from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. each day. The clinic will be held at the Multipurpose Building at the Allegany…
MARYLAND PREPARING TO VACCINATE CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS FIVE
Maryland is making preparations for COVID vaccines to be distributed to young children. Governor Larry Hogan said he expects to CDC to approve vaccines soon for children ages five to eleven. The state has placed an order for close to 200-thousand Pfizer doses, as a little over 500-thousand children would become eligible. While only Pfizer…
MARYLAND REPORTS COVID NUMBERS
The state of Maryland is reporting over 500 new COVID-19 deaths. Maryland added 512 new COVID cases and 5 new deaths to its totals. The state positivity rate has increased slightly to just over three-percent. Hospitalizations have remained at 609 people seeking treatment for coronavirus. More than three-point-nine-million Maryland adults are fully vaccinated.
COVID-19 CASES CONTINUE TO FALL IN WEST VIRGINIA
State health officials say hospitalizations, as well as new cases of COVID-19, are falling across West Virginia. Yesterday, they reported 650 hospitalizations, which is down 22 from Saturday. The number of people in intensive care with COVID-19 also fell by five to 198 residents. The total number of active cases statewide fell by 459 to…
MODERNA BOOSTER CLINICS SET FOR TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY
There have been 45 new COVID cases in Allegany County, and one additional death. Just over 46 per cent of the Allegany County population is fully vaccinated. The Allegany County Health Department has announced that Moderna vaccine booster clinics will be held tomorrow and Wednesday at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. It will be by appointment…
WEEKLY COVID UPDATE FOR ALLEGANY COUNTY SCHOOLS
For the 7-day period of October 15-21, 2021, there were no Allegany County Public Schools identified with a School Wide Outbreak. George’s Creek Elementary School had one bus that met the definition of a cohort outbreak. ACPS had ten staff members and 31 students reported as positive for COVID-19 during this time, and three staff…
HOGAN AUTHORIZES BOOSTER VACCINES
Following CDC approval, Governor Larry Hogan is authorizing the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID booster vaccines for eligible Marylanders. He says the state’s focus has shifted from containment to maintaining immunity and the boosters may be administered immediately. To date the state has administered more than 250-thousand doses of the Pfizer booster which was…
MARYLAND DEPT. OF HEALTH REPORTS 863 NEW COVID CASES
The Maryland Department of Health is reporting 863 new cases of COVID-19 and 14 additional deaths related to the virus. There are 657 people hospitalized, including seven pediatric patients. The state’s positivity rate is 3-point-21-percent.
COVID CASES CONTINUE TO RISE THROUGHOUT PENNSYLVANIA
COVID-19 cases are rising throughout Pennsylvania. Yesterday, the state added nearly five-thousand new cases, pushing the total over one-million-525-thousand. About 94 new deaths related to the virus were added to the death toll, which is at 30-thousand-815.
MARYLAND RECORDS FEWER THAN 1,000 NEW COVID CASES
Maryland recorded fewer than one-thousand new COVID cases for a fifth day in a row on Wednesday. The Department of Health reports 717 new cases of COVID-19 and 22 additional deaths related to the virus. There are 682 people hospitalized including 10 pediatric patients. More than 85-percent of residents 18 and older have received at…
FROSH WON’T SEEK RE-ELECTION
After two terms, Brian Frosh is not seeking reelection as Maryland’s Attorney General. Frosh’s office made the announcement yesterday. The 75-year-old would be marking an end to his decades long career in public service. However, Frosh made it clear he does not plan to relax during his final months in office saying he will continue…
COVID CASE RATE EXCEEDS STATEWIDE AVERAGE; TWO ADDITIONAL DEATHS
The COVID-19 case rate in Allegany County continues to exceed the statewide average at 38.75 per 100,000. The state average is at 14.11. Two additional deaths have been reported, and there are 37 new COVID cases, as of Tuesday. The local positivity rate is over twice the statewide average as well. Approximately 46.1 per cent…
LESS THAN 1,000 COVID CASES REPORTED, POSITIVITY RATE DECREASING
Less than a thousand new COVID cases are being reported in Maryland today. Health officials announced 717 new cases yesterday along with 22 deaths related to the virus. And the state’s positivity rate remains on the decline as well, with the percentage of people testing positive in the state decreasing by point-zero-eight percent, now standing…
SENIORS SET NEW VAX NUMBERS
Some of Maryland’s oldest residents are leading by example when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 97-percent of seniors have received at least one-dose of the vaccine across Maryland. Governor Larry Hogan says that the state’s vaccination rates are among the highest in the country.
W.V. SENATE ADOPTS A MEASURE ON VACCINE MANDATES
The state Senate is passing a bill that will lay out the requirements medical facilities and religious organizations will follow to become exempt from vaccine mandates. The bill passed yesterday with a narrow one-vote margin of 17 to 16. Before the vote, there were more than two hours of passionate debate. The bill will be…
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.