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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
FOUR COVID DEATHS, 143 NEW CASES
The Allegany County Health Department is reporting four additional COVID-19 related deaths and a total of 143 new cases since last Friday. The cumulative count is now 5,982 cases, with 169 deaths. The positivity case has now surpassed the state’s numbers, with the local rate is now at 8.06 per cent, with the statewide average…
COVID VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE AT UPMC TOMORROW
UPMC-Western Maryland will hold a COVID-19 vaccination clinic tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the hospital auditorium. Pre-registration is required, and the clinic is for those, aged 75 or older, in accordance with state guidelines. Arrangements for the second dose of the vaccine will be made at tomorrow’s event. Those interested in reserving…
STATE LEADERS RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINE
Governor Larry Hogan, Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford, their wives and Maryland Deputy Health Secretary Dr. Jinlene Chan received their COVID-19 vaccinations yesterday morning. The Maryland National Guard medics administered the vaccines. Maryland moved into Phase 1-B of the vaccination protocols yesterday, meaning all Marylanders, 75 and older and select others can get the vaccine.
ONE DEATH, 40 NEW COVID CASES
The Allegany County Health Department reported one additional COVID-19 related death and 40 new cases on Friday. The cumulative case count is now at 5,839 with 165 deaths. The county’s case rate is significantly lower than the state average, at 38.34 cases per 100,000 population; the state average is 51.85. Allegany County’s positivity rate is…
VACCINE ROLLOUT TO ENTER PHASE 1-B NEXT WEEK
Effective Monday, the state of Maryland will enter Phase 1B of the vaccine rollout, but it will take several more weeks for the vaccine to be available to the average resident. Phase 1B includes anyone, 75 or older who wants the vaccine, as well as anyone in assisted living or group home settings. The vaccine…
ONE COVID DEATH, 28 NEW CASES IN ALLEGANY COUNTY
The Allegany County Health Department is reporting an additional death and 28 new cases in the county since Monday. This brings the cumulative case count to 164 deaths, and 5,799 positive cases. The county is now well below the number of cases per 100,000 population; the county’s figure is at 46.46, while the state number…
COVID VARIANT FOUND IN MARYLAND
An Anne Arundel County couple has been identified as the first residents in Maryland to have contracted the UK-variant of the coronavirus. They and their children are currently in quarantine. Governor Larry Hogan says the couple had visited several countries in Europe recently, and may have even visited several continents. The Maryland Department of Health…
ONE DEATH, 66 NEW COVID-190 CASES
The Allegany County health Department is reporting one additional death and 66 new COVID-19 cases since Friday’s report. The cumulative case count is now at 5,771 with 163 deaths. Garrett County is reporting a cumulative total of 54 deaths and 1,623 COVID-19 cases. Vaccination appointments are now being made for Allegany County residents, 75 and…
HOGAN UNVEILS RELIEF ACT OF 2021
Governor Larry Hogan has announced a billion-dollar economic aid package he wants state lawmakers to make their first order of business when they convene tomorrow for the 90-day General Assembly session. Dubbed “The RELIEF Act of 2021” would distribute stimulus and tax relief to working families and small businesses. Included in the package would be…
FOOD SERVICE REMINDER FOR ACPS
Allegany County Public Schools will continue to provide free “to go” breakfast and lunch meals to all students at all locations, Monday through Friday, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Any ACPS student, or their parent or guardian, can pick up the student meals for the day at any location throughout the county. As always, face…
THREE ADDITIONAL COVID-19 DEATHS, 83 NEW CASES
Since Friday, the county has seen three additional COVID-19 related deaths and 83 new cases. This brings the case count to 5,705 with 162 deaths. The county has dipped below the state average per 100,000. Allegany County’s rate is 44.84 cases, while the state average is 45.4. The positivity rate is 8.68 per cent, while…
WEEKLY COVID UPDATE FOR SCHOOLS
For this past week, the Allegany County Public School System reports one individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, who was within an Allegany County Public School building. That person will complete the required isolation period. Close contacts were identified and will complete a 14-day quarantine period. Notification was given to school employees that there…
THREE DEATHS, 98 MORE COVID CASES REPORTED
There have been three additional COVID-19 related deaths and 98 new cases since Monday. The cumulative case count now stands at 5,622 with 159 deaths. Allegany County’s positivity rate is actually below the state rate of 9.44 per cent; the county’s rate is at 9.39 per cent. The state has begun its phased rollout of…
HOGAN TRYING TO “RAMP UP” VACCINATIONS
Governor Larry Hogan is trying to address a number of “glitches” in getting the COVID-19 vaccine out to Marylanders, in particular health care workers, in the first phase of the program. The Maryland National Guard is being activated to help support county health departments and accelerate immunizations. CVS and Walgreen’s have had discussions with Governor…
COUNTY REPORTS TWO ADDITIONAL DEATHS, 150 NEW COVID CASES
The Allegany County Health Department is reporting two additional COVID-19 related deaths and 150 new cases since last Wednesday; there was no report on Friday, due to the New Year’s holiday. The cumulative case count is now at 5,524 with 156 deaths. The Health Department is also announcing pre-registration for its COVID-19 testing at the…
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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