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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
COVID CASES RISE IN MARYLAND
COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Maryland. State health officials are reporting two-thousand-184 new cases and three additional COVID-related deaths. The seven-day positivity rate is up slightly to over eight-and-a-half percent. There are 432 patients hospitalized with the virus.
COVID-19 COMMUNITY LEVEL LOW, NEW CASES INCREASE TO 111
The Allegany County COVID-19 Community Level is low, even though 111 new cases were reported this week, and the local positivity rate has risen to 7.66 per cent. One additional COVID-related death has been reported. The CDC is recommending that children, ages 5 to 11 receive a booster dose five months after their initial Pfizer…
MARYLAND COVID METRICS CONTINUE TO RISE
COVID cases in Maryland continue to skyrocket. The state Department of Health says there are 27-hundred-70 new cases and two additional deaths. The positivity rate is up slightly to eight-point-12 percent. There are 419 patients hospitalized a day-over-day increase of 16 and 49 of them are in the ICU.
PENNSYLVANIA PUSHES COVID-19 “SAFE SUMMER VACCINATION” CAMPAIGN
The state’s acting secretary of health is promoting a new, COVID Safe Summer Vaccination event. Speaking in Harrisburg last week, Dr. Denise Johnson says even though more people are outside in warmer temperatures, COVID cases have not decreased. She says the new trend is due to new, highly ineffective Omicron variants of the virus. In…
COVID CASES RISE AT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Health officials have seen an uptick of COVID-19 cases at the University of Maryland over the past several days. School leaders are encouraging people to wear a face mask during all indoor commencement ceremonies, during move-out activities and in study spaces. Masks are still required in all classrooms on campus.
MORE FREE COVID TESTS AVAILABLE TO PENNSYLVANIANS
Pennsylvania households can now order eight more free at-home coronavirus tests. The White House approved the move on Tuesday, hoping to give residents across the country a better supply of rapid tests ahead of possible summer and fall surges. The Centers for Disease Control said as of Tuesday, Pennsylvania is one of the states in…
MARYLAND ADDS NEARLY 2,000 NEW COVID CASES
State health officials are reporting 19-hundred-92 new COVID cases in Maryland. There are three new deaths, bringing the death toll up to 14-thousand-280. The state’s positivity rate is down slightly to under eight-percent. Hospitalizations are unchanged at 403, including 41 adults and two children in the ICU.
COVID CASES RISE IN WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice thinks COVID case numbers are higher. The official count of active COVID-19 cases is just shy of two-thousand. But Governor Justice and others feel that he actual case count could be much higher. The Governor said the official numbers are likely just “part of the story,” since access to home…
COVID TESTING AT FAIRGROUNDS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
The drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the Allegany County Fairgrounds will not be available next week, through June 1st, due to another event there. There will not be a walk-in vaccination clinic at the fairgrounds’ multi-purpose building on May 25th. As of Thursday, there have been 54 new COVID cases, with no additional deaths. The community…
OVER 2,000 NEW COVID INFECTIONS IN MARYLAND
Concerns are growing for Maryland health officials as COVID-19 cases are skyrocketing once again across the Old Line State. Health officials say that 22-hundred new infections were recorded last Thursday and there are more than 300-hospitalizations. To date, the state has confirmed more than a-million cases. Montgomery and Prince George’s counties currently have the most…
NUMBER OF COVID CASES UP IN PENNSYLVANIA
The Pennsylvania Department of Health published its weekly update of data on the COVID-19 pandemic and has reported an average of a little over three-thousand cases per day. They say that calculates to a 46-percent increase in a week, and more than triple the average of 862 daily cases recorded a month ago. Susquehanna County…
COVID RATE RISES ABOVE SIX PER CENT IN MARYLAND
Maryland’s COVID-19 positivity rate continues to show a day-over-day increase. The state Department of Health says the rate is up a tick to 6-point-2-2-percent. There are 16-hundred-26 new cases of the virus and ten additional deaths. Hospitalizations are up by 36 to 311 patients with 29 of them in the ICU. Most of Maryland remains…
MARYLAND REPORTS SPIKE IN COVID CASES
Maryland is reporting a spike in COVID-19 cases. Close to 18-hundred-50 new cases were added yesterday, according to state health officials. That’s the most since January 30th when around two-thousand cases were added. Health officials say 250 people are hospitalized with the virus in the state.
COVID-19 COMMUNITY LEVEL REMAINS LOW WITH 32 NEW CASES
There have been 32 new COVID-19 cases in Allegany County this week, with one additional COVID-related death. The Community Level, according to the CDC remains low in Allegany County. The state positivity rate has risen to just over 6 per cent, while the local rate remains under 4 per cent. Health officials continue to promote…
ALLEGANY COUNTY SCHOOLS COVID UPDATE
For the 7-day period of April 29th through May 5th, 2022, Frost Elementary School had one classroom that met the definition of a Cohort Outbreak. There were no schools that met the definition of a School Wide Outbreak of COVID-19.ACPS had 5 staff members and 6 students reported as positive for COVID-19 during this time. …
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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