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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
FIVE NEW COVID-19 CASES IN ALLEGANY COUNTY
The Allegany County Health Department reports five new cases of COVID-19, bringing the county’s cumulative total to 223. The latest cases include a male and female in their 30’s, two women in their 20’s, and a woman in her 50’s, who has required hospitalization.
HOGAN WRITES COUNTY LEADERS ON COVID-19
Governor Larry Hogan has written to county leaders, reminding them of his executive order, regarding bars and restaurants. While other states are experiencing COVID-19 spikes and outbreaks, Maryland’s key metrics continue to decline. Pointing out that at least 12 states have moved to re-close bars and restaurants, Governor Hogan noted that Maryland does not want…
FOUR NEW COVID CASES REPORTED
Allegany County has recorded four new community cases of coronavirus since Friday. None of the cases has required hospitalization. They include two males and one female in their 20’s, and a man in his 80’s. The total number of positive cases in the county now stands at 218. The Allegany County Health Department held a…
TWO NEW COVID-19 CASES LOCALLY
The Allegany County Health Department reported two additional cases of coronavirus over the weekend; one case was a female in her 30’s and the other, a female in her 60’s, who required hospitalizations. The county’s total count of positive cases for COVID-19 now stands at 214. The number of cases in Garrett County increased to…
BEDFORD INMATES, STAFF TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
Several inmates and staff at the Bedford County Correctional facility have tested positive for the coronavirus; those infected have been quarantined and are being treated for any symptoms. It has also been confirmed that about 20 inmates from the Bedford County facility, were transported to the Centre County facility between June 29th and 30th. …
HERITAGE DAYS CANCELLED
Another casualty of the coronavirus pandemic is the annual Heritage Days Festival. Organizers cancelled the event yesterday, due to COVID-19 concerns. The event, which is usually held in June, had been rescheduled for September 12th and 13th. The Whiskey Rebellion portion of the event will go on as scheduled September 11th and 12th at the…
HAND SANITIZER RECALLED
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning citizens about a certain type of hand sanitizer containing methanol or wood alcohol, which can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested. The hand sanitizer is made in Mexico by several different manufacturers, and claims to contain ethanol. However, the sanitizer has tested positive for…
COVID-19 TESTING THIS WEEK IN ALLEGANY, GARRETT COUNTIES
Drive-thru COVID-19 testing is scheduled for Allegany County tomorrow (7/9) from 9 am to 3 pm, and Sunday (7/12) from 1 PM to 6 PM at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. Garrett County will hold drive-thru testing from 7 am to 1 pm next Friday, July 17th, in the parking lot between the Garrett County Health…
STERLING CARE RESIDENT DIES; FOUR MORE TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
The Allegany County Health Department has reported a resident of Sterling Care Frostburg Village has died of complications of the coronavirus, and four more community members have tested positive. The county’s total case count is now 210. The latest cases include a male in his teens and a male in his 20’s, a female in…
JUSTICE MANDATES MASKS FOR INDOOR SPACES
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has instituted a mandatory face mask order for indoor spaces, after record numbers of new coronavirus cases were reported over the weekend. The order went into effect at midnight, requires everyone over the age of 9 to wear the face coverings inside buildings when social distancing isn’t possible. There were…
RESIDENT TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
An Allegany County resident working at the Dennett Road Manor Nursing Home in Oakland has tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in Allegany County to 206. That person has not required hospitalization. As of Thursday, 7,438 Allegany County residents had been tested for COVID-19, with 7,232 testing negative and 206 positive.…
JUSTICE MAY MANDATE MASKS
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice says he is seriously considering mandating masks to be worn in public buildings, and could institute that as soon as next week. Justice says he first wants to see the state’s COVID-19 numbers from this weekend. The mandate would not include outdoor activities or the privacy of one’s home. Locally,…
PRESTON COUNTY CASES LINKED TO MYRTLE BEACH
There have been more than 40 confirmed coronavirus cases in Preston County linked to travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources has confirmed 66 cases in Preston County, with the county department reporting 41 cases connected to the popular beach. More than 48 per cent of the…
FIVE COVID-19 CASES AT GARRETT COUNTY FACILITY
The Garrett County Health Department has been notified of five positive COVID-19 testing results at the Dennett Road Manor Nursing Home in Oakland. The staff has been periodically tested. Two of the staff members who have tested positive are Garrett County residents, while the other three are residents of surrounding counties and will not be…
ONE NEW CASE OF COVID-19 IN ALLEGANY COUNTY
The Allegany County Health Department is reporting one new case of COVID-19, a male community member in his 20’s. He has not required hospitalization. The county’s total cumulative cases of COVID-19 now stands at 205.
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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