The Garrett County Board of Education voted last evening, November 10, 2020, to move students to a red, fully virtual learning model beginning Thursday, November 12, 2020, and continuing until at least Thursday, December 10, 2020. GCPS is also cancelling all in-person extra-curricular activities and athletic events and practices effective immediately. The Board of Education made this decision based upon the significant increase in cases throughout Garrett County and also upon the number of GCPS employees and students who are currently quarantining or isolating due to possible COVID exposure. District leaders and board members have worked closely with the Garrett County Health Department (GCHD) to examine positivity percentages and case rates. Together, they will continue to monitor and review current health metrics and trend data in Garrett County and surrounding communities. The Board of Education will make the decision at their December 8, 2020 meeting to either continue virtual learning or to transition back to in-person learning. Over the next month, school system leadership will continue to collaborate with the GCHD to analyze trend data to ensure that the Board of Education members have the most up-to-date information in order to make a decision that protects both students and staff. We are well aware that this will be difficult for some families, especially those with poor Internet connectivity, to manage. More information will be forthcoming regarding these and other challenges students will be facing in the coming month.
| WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Pausing In-person Activities Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) has been closely monitoring our community’s COVID-19 health metrics. Out of an abundance of caution, WCPS is taking a pause from in-person classes and activities for three weeks. All WCPS students will transition to distance learning through online classes beginning Monday, November 16, 2020. In-person activities may resume on Monday, December 7, 2020, depending on community health metrics. In-person classes, athletic events, and other activities may continue through Saturday, November 14. Sports and Extracurricular Activities Beginning November 16, all athletic and extracurricular activities will be held online until further notice. Instructors, advisors, and coaches will share information with students and families about these arrangements. Distance Learning Schedule Students will remain on their school’s current school day schedule during distance learning. Your child’s school may be sending additional information regarding preparations for this change. Students who are attending school in-person should bring home their devices and any necessary class materials each night this week. Grab-and-go Meal Sites WCPS grab-and-go meal sites will continue to operate from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday to provide children in our community with a free breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. This service is available to any child who is 18 years of age or younger. Review and Reassess WCPS will continue to monitor and review community health metrics and further reassess the return to in-person learning for students. There will be no in-person instruction any sooner than December 7, 2020. WCPS recognizes this decision may come with feelings of disappointment, uncertainty, and even additional stress as families make arrangements for their children during this period. We hope our community will take the proper precautions to help reduce the COVID-19 virus in the Washington County area, so that we may continue our progress with returning students to classrooms. |
| WCPS GRAB-AND-GO MEAL SITE LOCATIONS |
| Fighting the Spread of COVID-19 WCPS is committed to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the greaterWashington County community. In order to move forward with the Return to Learn Plan and to continue athletic programs and extracurricular activities, we need your help and cooperation to prevent the spread of the virus. WCPS encourages everyone in the Washington County community to practice healthy habits, including but not limited to the following: Wear a face covering over your mouth and nose in public places. Maintain physical distancing of six feet or more from others. Wash your hands with soap and water often. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available. Avoid large group gatherings, even if they are family events. If you or your child feels sick, please stay home. Collectively, as a community, we can take the proper precautions and slow the spread of COVID-19. Remember that your actions and choices may impact your family members, friends, co-workers, and our community’s children. We all make a difference in helping Washington County move forward through the COVID-19 pandemic. WCPS will continue to provide further details to parents, guardians, and staff in the days ahead. |
Update: President Nowaczyk just shared the following with the FSU campus community:
Given the governor’s office revised guidance from yesterday and recommendations from the Pandemic Recovery Team and the University System of Maryland, I have made the decision that Frostburg State University will move all classes, including finals, to online instruction for the rest of the semester, effective tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 12.
Here are the basics — more detailed information will follow from FSU News and specific emails. Closely monitor your official FSU email accounts:
Regarding academics:
Faculty should communicate course-specific changes to students in a timely manner.
The PC/NC option will NOT be available for students.
Students can decide to withdraw from a class, avoiding a failing grade, as late as the last day of classes, Wednesday, Nov. 18. Students, please consult Financial Aid, Athletics Compliance and Veterans Services, as appropriate, to be sure of the potential implications of this move. Faculty, please reinforce this advice.
Faculty will continue to have access to their offices in order to provide instruction.
Regarding campus services:
Residence halls will remain open for students who choose to remain on campus for the remainder of the semester. The Residence Life Office will be reaching out to you with additional information and guidance on your options.
All food services are now grab-and-go. More information can be found at https://dineoncampus.com/frostburg.
The indoor Cordts PE Center activity areas along with the Lane University Center fitness center and game room areas will remain closed for the semester.
Many services across the university will remain available, although some areas may have restricted physical access. Many offices will remain open with other services provided virtually. Employees should verify with supervisors for telework options.
Health recommendations:
We strongly encourage all students who are returning home to get a free virus test prior to returning home. The state and county health departments are now providing free COVID-19 testing three days per week starting today at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. Hours for the testing site are Mondays from 2-7 p.m. and on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. No appointment, insurance card, or doctor’s order is needed.
Students who are in isolation/quarantine must continue to follow health guidelines.
It is especially important now — and as we have reiterated throughout the semester — that you continue individual precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You must wear a face mask in all interactions with others, remain socially distanced (6 feet) from any other person and frequently hand-wash. Daily use of the online check-in, www.frostburg.edu/checkin, is required. These actions are proven to reduce the spread of the virus. We continue to sanitize and clean common areas and spaces across the campus. And it is essential that we continue to be vigilant about the virus. The Dean of Students Office and the Office of Human Resources have been and will continue to issue disciplinary sanctions for individuals placing others in harm. Likewise, faculty and staff who fail to comply with the social compact and compromise the well-being of others may be addressed by their supervisors.
Watch your official FSU email and www.frostburg.edu/fall2020 in the coming hours and days for the most up-to-date information. You can reach out to [email protected] with questions or concerns.
Frostburg State University will move classes online for rest of semester as of Thursday 11/12.
Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) President Cynthia S. Bambara has authorized all credit courses to move online for instruction on November 30, the Monday following Thanksgiving, through the end of the fall semester. The proactive approach is being taken to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff, and the surrounding community. The measure applies to all ACM college locations in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
ACM’s offices and resources remain open to serve students and visitors, with preference given to virtual in lieu of in-person appointments. Effective this week, additional college faculty and staff will work remotely in accordance with Governor Larry Hogan’s recent recommendations. The student-run Culinaire Café at Gateway Center will close to the public on November 19.
“What’s at stake is the health and safety of our students and employees,” said Bambara. “That responsibility has to continue to guide our actions during this pandemic just as it did in March. It’s important that all of our students finish strong and safe this semester.”
Individuals with questions about ACM operations may visit allegany.edu/coronavirus, call 301-784-5005 or email [email protected] for additional information.
From ACM: ACM credit courses will be going online 11/30. With the Thanksgiving Break drawing nearer and rise of COVID-19 case numbers in Allegany and surrounding counties, ACM leadership has determined that it’s necessary to move all credit courses online through the end of the semester. Campus will remain open to students and visitors. Be safe. Be smart. Be successful. #ACMStrong https://bit.ly/38z8mJR
Four students in different grade levels and one staff member at Bishop Walsh School recently tested positive for COVID-19. The students and staff member, who followed all of the necessary safety protocols while attending school, have been quarantined and have not been on the school premises. School leadership has been in communication with the necessary BW parents, the Allegany County Health Department and the Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools to ensure that all necessary follow-up procedures are undertaken in an efficient manner. Students, faculty and staff follow a daily rigorous safety protocol which includes wearing face masks, social distancing, hand washing, controlling foot-traffic flow and limiting interaction and gatherings. For more information, call 301.724.5360 or visit www.bishopwalsh.org.
In Mineral County there are 455 total positive cases, 193 are active 258 recovered This does not reflect the ongoing Piney Valley Outbreak. We will have an updated press release concerning that tomorrow.
The Hampshire County Health Department has confirmed 3 (2 confirmed and 1 probable) additional cases today. Case investigation and contact tracing are complete.
Hampshire County’s current case count is 180 confirmed, 15 probable, 37 active, 1 death and 3 hospitalizations.
***FREE Community Testing this week***
Monday-Friday at Hampshire Memorial Hospital from 9a-1p
Thursday – Romney Elementary 2p-6p
Friday – Central Hampshire Park 1p-5p
There were three (3) new cases reported today. None of the 3 reported a known exposure to previous positives. One had recent travel out of state.
228 Total COVID Cases
• 203 Confirmed Positive COVID cases
• 25 Probable COVID cases (Probable cases are those that have a positive test from a rapid antigen test).
• 196 Total Recovered
• 19 Active Cases. Two are hospitalized.
• 13 Deaths, of these: 9 Deaths listed as COVID related (6 from GRCC).
Call Grant Memorial Hospital (304) 257 1026 and press 5 to speak to an ER nurse or Grove Street Health Center at 304-257-2451 to help determine if testing is indicated and instructions how to proceed if you develop symptoms, (loss of taste or smell, fever, cough, muscle aches, cough, shortness of breath, headache or diarrhea). Remain isolated from others until you receive your test result and are cleared to discontinue isolation.
The Hardy County Health Department and Hardy County Office of Emergency Management has two additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Hardy County, making 31 active cases, with a total confirmed case count of 142. We have had one confirmed COVID-19 death. We currently have 28 patients in quarantine at home, following proper protocol to protect their neighbors and community. Three 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 110 individuals recovered, included in the total confirmed case count of 142.
COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets may land on objects and surfaces. Other people may contract COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure. Most people recover from COVID-19 without needing special treatment. The elderly and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems, lung problems, and diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent or antiviral medication to treat COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The Hardy County Health Department as always recommends everyday preventive actions to help impede the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
Avoiding exposure to others who are sick.
Staying home when you are ill.
Wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).
DHHR’s COVID-19 information hotline 24/7, toll-free at 1-800-887-4304 and state website at http://www.coronavirus.wv.gov/
For local information, please call Hardy County Health Dept at 304-530-6355 or visit the Health Department’s website at http://www.hardycountyhealthdepartment.com/ All media inquiries, contact David Maher, Hardy Sheriff PIO at [email protected].
For the printed release, see https://www.dropbox.com/…/20201111-hardy-covid-update… e