The Allegany County Health Department reports that 11,560 Allegany County residents have received at least their first dose of vaccine against COVID-19 (16.4% of the population), with 8,124 of those individuals now fully vaccinated with their second dose (11.5% of the population). By comparison, the state reported that 16.9% of all Marylanders had received at least their first dose of vaccine, with 9.3% now fully vaccinated.
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released interim guidance for individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The CDC considers individuals to be fully vaccinated if it has been at least two weeks since they received their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or their single dose of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine. The guidance recommends that vaccinated individuals continue to practice mask-wearing and social distancing when in public or around others who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID, and that they still try to avoid medium to large social gatherings. Additionally, anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status should be tested. The full interim guidance can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/…/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html
The health department and UPMC Western Maryland are currently vaccinating those age 65 and older, starting with the oldest first. Once you have registered using the Vaccine Interest Form at health.maryland.gov/allegany, you do not need to do anything further to get on the vaccination list. Once it is your turn for the vaccine, you will be contacted by either the health department or the hospital using the contact information you provided on the form. If you receive a phone call, please pick up the phone in case it is someone calling to schedule your vaccine appointment.
Allegany County COVID-19 Case Statistics as of March 8:
• New COVID Cases: 6 (cumulative total 6,422)
• Additional Deaths: 0 (cumulative total 200)
• Cases Per 100,000 Population: 2.84 (Maryland: 12.6)
• Positivity Rate: 1.78% (Maryland: 3.36%)
Vaccinations against COVID-19 are continuing in Garrett County and across the nation. Each week the Garrett County Health Department coordinates vaccine clinics that vaccinate about 600 people, with first and second doses.
A total of 5,777 (19.9%) of Garrett County residents have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 3,337 (11.5%) have received their second dose. These numbers include residents who have been vaccinated at any location within Garrett County or elsewhere. The percent of Maryland residents who have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine is 16.9% and 9.3% for second doses.
During most weeks the Health Department receives a total of 600 doses of Moderna vaccine, 300 first doses and 300 second doses. Last week they also received an initial shipment of 100 doses of the new Johnson and Johnson vaccine and a clinic is being planned to begin using this vaccine. The weekly allocation for Johnson and Johnson has not yet been specified, but an additional shipment is not expected until the last week of March.
“The recommendation has always been to get your vaccine as soon as you are eligible and appointments are available, regardless of which vaccine is being used at that time,” said Garrett County Health Officer Bob Stephens. “It may not be possible to choose which kind of vaccine you will get, because availability of each kind will continue to vary and you will be playing a game of chance if you try to wait for a specific kind.”
Other Garrett County locations receiving vaccine from the State of Maryland include Walmart Pharmacy, Mountain Laurel Medical Center, and Garrett Regional Medical Center. Walgreens Pharmacies are participating in the Federal Pharmacy Program, and are receiving vaccine supply directly from the Federal Government.
As the number of vaccines distributed continues to go up, the COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Garrett County ontinues to remain low.
Today’s county information includes:
● A 7-day case rate of 1.97 per 100,000 Garrett County residents, which is well below Maryland’s case rate of 12.6
● A 7-day positivity rate of 1.8%, compared to Maryland’s rate of 3.36%
● A total of 1,847 COVID-19 cases
● A total of 60 deaths due to COVID-19 or its complications
Additional COVID-19 resources:
● If you have COVID-19 like symptoms, schedule a testing appointment at the Health Department by calling 301-334-7697.
● Free COVID-19 testing is available (with or without symptoms) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the MEDCO Building in the McHenry Business Park. Pre-registration is recommended. Visit garretthealth.org for more information.
● For all other COVID-19 related questions, or to report a COVID-19 compliance issue, call the local COVID-19 Hotline number at 301-334-7698.
FREE COVID TESTING
Tuesday, March 9
11 AM-5 PM VIKING MEMORIAL FIELD PARKING LOT
And
Friday, March 12
11 AM-3 PM VIKING MEMORIAL FIELD PARKING LOT
Governor Justice announced vaccine eligibility is now
50 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER and some health conditions see www.governor.wv.gov
Register @ www.vaccinate.wv.gov or call 1-833-734-0965
If you are in this group and have not received an appointment:
CALL THE GRANT COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
304-257-4922
TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT
For our COMMUNITY COVID VACCINE CLINICS
Held at Grove Street Health Center by appointment only
There were (2) Two New Positive COVID cases in Grant County .
1,210 Total COVID Cases
• 971 Confirmed Positive COVID cases
• 240 Probable COVID cases (Probable cases are those that have a positive result from a rapid antigen test).
• 1,160 Total Recovered
• 22 Active Cases.
• 24 Deaths listed as COVID related (6 from GRCC).
COVID Testing
FREE COVID TESTING
Tuesdays 11 AM-5 PM VIKING MEMORIAL FIELD PARKING LOT
Grant Memorial Hospital:
COVID testing hours LIMITED TO TWO DAYS WEEKLY
Monday and Thursday 6:00 am- 9:00 am and 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm
Call (304) 257-1026 and press 5 to speak to an ER nurse to preregister.
By Appointment:
Grove Street Health Center call 304-257-2451
Mt. Storm Health Center call 304-693-7616
The Hampshire County Health Department received 4 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Case investigation and contact tracing are ongoing. Hampshire County’s current case count is 1,591 confirmed (PCR and Rapid test combined), 15 active, 28 deaths and 2 hospitalizations.
**Free Community Testing** Thursday, March 11th – 10a-6p @ Hampshire Co Fairgrounds
Hampshire County Schools and the Hampshire County Health Department have received confirmation that a student at Hampshire High School has tested positive for COVID-19.
The Hampshire County Health department has been in close contact with the Hampshire County School System to identify any potential persons who may have had close contact including students, staff, family members and friends. Those that need quarantined, will be contacted by members of the nursing team from Hampshire County Schools.
On March 5th Hampshire County Schools and the Hampshire County Health Department have received confirmation that a student at Slanesville Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19. The Hampshire County Health department has been in close contact with the Hampshire County School System to identify any potential persons who may have had close contact including students, staff, family members and friends. Those that need quarantined, will be contacted by members of the Hampshire County Schools nursing team and school administration.
The Hardy County Health Department and Hardy County Office of Emergency Management has seven additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Hardy County, making 29 active cases, with a total confirmed case count of 1,350. We have had 22 confirmed COVID-19 deaths. We currently have 23 patients in quarantine at home, following proper protocol to protect their neighbors and community. Six patients are currently hospitalized due to severe symptoms of COVID-19. Due to privacy, additional information regarding the persons, area of residence, and travel history will not be disclosed. The Hardy County Health Department has completed the necessary contact tracing to ensure the safety of close contacts and to prevent additional transmission. Hardy County now has 1,299 individuals recovered, included in the total confirmed case count of 1,350.
In Mineral County there are a total of 2462 positive cases, 71 are active, there are 0 current probable cases, 2355 have recovered and there have been a total of 75 deaths since the pandemic began. Free Community COVID-19 Testing will be available Tuesday from 10am to 6 pm at the Mineral County Health Department parking lot.
Maryland Delegate Mike McKay (District 1C) discusses the creation of an online class, hosted by Allegany College of Maryland designed for small businesses, non-profits, home-based businesses, and entrepreneurs. McKay also talks about the ongoing legislative session. To hear the interview click here https://soundcloud.com/amanda-mangan/delegate-mike-mckay-for-pht-march-8th