Help stop coronavirus
DO THE FIVE
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
EDUCATION OFFICIALS TO HOLD SCHOOL MASK REVIEW WEDNESDAY
Maryland education leaders will review school masking regulations during a virtual meeting on December 1. The Board of Education and Department of Education will discuss public input from stakeholders, community members and health experts to determine the next steps regarding mask mandates in schools. Officials are expected to consider public testimony and current health metrics…
NEW AT-HOME COVID TESTING KITS
More Marylanders will soon be able to get tested for COVID-19 from the comfort of their own homes. It’s all thanks to a new program developed by Maryland Health that’ll supply around 500-thousand Abbott Binax-NOW Ag At-Home COVID-19 tests for Maryland residents. These kits are self-administered and include two tests in each kit. The tests…
COVID TRANSMISSION RATE SIGNALS DIFFICULT TIMES AHEAD
The combination of colder weather, holiday gatherings and increasing COVID transmission rates in West Virginia are a dangerous recipe. Governor Justice and other state leaders are warning that a difficult winter lies ahead. Justice said at his briefing yesterday that he has to continue to encourage everyone to get the coronavirus vaccine.
APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR MODERNA BOOSTERS
Moderna COVID-19 booster vaccine appointments are being made available on Wednesday of next week at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. The Health Department is also offering COVID-19 vaccinations at the fairgrounds on a walk-in basis next Wednesday as well. As of Tuesday, there are 78 new cases in the county, and two additional deaths. The local…
PUBLIC SCHOOL COVID-19 UPDATE
For the five day period, November 19th through the 23rd, there were no schools identified with a school-wide COVID-19 outbreak. Cash Valley Elementary School had one cohort that met the definition of a cohort outbreak and the Center for Career and Technical Education had two cohorts that met the definition of a cohort outbreak. ACPS…
UPDATE COVID-19 NUMBERS
The COVID-19 positivity rate in Maryland keeps creeping up. The rate, as of today, is near four percent according to state health officials. They reported just over 900 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. Hospitalizations increased by 18.
COVID-19 TESTING KITS DELIVERED TO MARYLAND
Maryland is getting 500-thousand at-home COVID-19 testing kits. They’ll be distributed to local health departments, and places like public libraries and food pantries. People who test positive should consider themselves infectious and seek further medical advice.
A.G. SHAPIRO WANTS MASK-MANDATE REINSTATED
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro asking the state supreme court to reinstate school mask order. A Commonwealth Court struck it down earlier this month, saying the state Department of Health doesn’t have authority to require mask in schools, but Shapiro is challenging that decision saying the health of the state’s children is at stake. Many…
PENNSYLVANIA RANKS 18TH HIGHEST FOR NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported nearly 52-hundred additional coronavirus cases on Tuesday, not including the Philadelphia area. The seven-day moving average of newly reported cases was just over 61-hundred cases per day, down 19% from a week ago. Pennsylvania’s rate is a bit over 3-hundred and 35 cases over the last seven days for…
COVID CASES “ON THE RISE” IN THE AREA
Being safe this holiday season means getting vaccinated. The state Department of Health is reporting 740 new cases, four hospitalizations and 16 more deaths in Maryland in the past day. Garrett County’s positivity rate is at 19.85 per cent, more than five times higher than the statewide daily case rate. The Allegany County rate was…
COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS SURGE ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA
COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise to near Delta-variant surge levels. Pennsylvania health officials say there are more people hospitalized right now than at any time during the Delta surge. The state overall has been setting hospitalization records for the past several days. Health officials say nearly 32-hundred people are hospitalized with COVID-19.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT URGES SAFE CELEBRATIONS
The Allegany County Health Department is urging residents to safely reduce the spread of COVID-19 this holiday season. Cases in the county are rising again, as 53 new cases have been diagnosed since Sunday, with one additional death. The local positivity rate is more than twice the state average at 8.23 per cent. In Maryland,…
NO COVID TESTING ON FRIDAY AT THE FAIRGROUNDS
There will be no COVID-19 testing on Friday at the Allegany County Fairgrounds, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Testing will be available tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
COVID ACTIVE CASES TOP 7200 IN WEST VIRGINIA
Sunday’s 720 new coronavirus cases in West Virginia increases the active number of cases to more than 72-hundred. The daily positivity rate in the state is better than seven-percent. Of the total number of West Virginian’s eligible to be vaccinated, nearly 54-percent are now fully vaccinated.
FDA AND CDC AUTHORIZE COVID BOOSTERS FOR EVERYONE 18+
The CDC authorized both the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations for all adults, after completion of primary vaccination with any FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. As of last Thursday, there have been 86 new COVID cases, and one additional death. The local positivity rate is 7.63 per cent, while the state is averaging 3.43 per…
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.