The Allegany County Health Department reported 28 new COVID cases in Allegany County and one additional death. This brings the county’s cumulative case count to 5,799 with 164 deaths. The current case rate in Allegany County is 46.46 cases per 100,000 population, while Maryland’s state average is currently 53.39 cases per 100,000 population. Allegany’s positivity rate is now at 6.92%, while the statewide average is 8.53%.
On Monday, the health department announced availability of more than 1,000 initial appointments for those age 75 and older to receive COVID-19 vaccination. Those appointments filled up very quickly, and on Tuesday evening a notice was posted that no more appointments were currently available. The health department will add appointment dates as more vaccine is received, so the public is urged to pay attention to local media, social media, and the health department website for announcements regarding appointment availability. Vaccination appointment dates will be posted at https://health.maryland.gov/allegany.
Fact sheets and safety information about the vaccines can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronav…/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html.
Free drive-thru testing continues at the Allegany County Fairgrounds three days per week. However, the health department announced that there will be no testing on Monday, January 18 due to the MLK holiday.
As of this morning, the percentage of Garrett Countians who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 was 5% of the population which is the highest in the State. The state average is at 2.6% vaccinated.
The Garrett County Health Department continues to follow the Maryland COVID-19 vaccination plan priority groups. Persons age 75 and older remain in Priority Group 1B, and persons age 65-74 remain in Priority Group 1C. Governor Hogan announced yesterday that he did not plan to change these group designations.
In addition, Garrett County has used nearly their entire allotted inventory vaccinating Priority Group 1A persons. Current supplies are very low, with an additional shipment expected next week. When all available doses are scheduled for vaccinations, scheduling of appointments will stop until the next shipment is received.
“Please remember once you receive your vaccination you will need to continue with the safety measures recommended to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Garrett County Health Officer Bob Stephens. “The vaccine may keep your body from developing the symptoms of COVID-19, but it may not keep you from sharing the virus with other people. In addition, the vaccine is not fully effective until two weeks after the second dose. All these factors make it necessary to continue wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, and maintaining social distance.”
Today’s statistics for Garrett County include:
• A total of 1,647 COVID-19 cases
• A total of 56 deaths due to COVID-19 or its complications
• A 7-day case rate of 53.7 per 100,000 Garrett County residents, compared to Maryland’s case rate of 53.4.
• A 7-day positivity rate of 13.8%, compared to Maryland’s rate of 8.5%
For the most up-to-date information about vaccine distribution and testing in Garrett County, watch for announcements from the Health Department on media outlets, the Health Department’s Facebook page and website (garretthealth.org).
When vaccine appointments become available for different segments of the population, the Health Department will announce qualification requirements and instructions on how to schedule an appointment.
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 (9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and Thursdays (10 a.m. to 2 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.
HARDY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
January 13th, 2021 COVID-19 UPDATE
COUNTY INFECTION RATE: RED
COUNTY POSITIVITY RATE: RED
LESSER OF THE TWO: RED
The Hardy County Health Department and Hardy County Office of Emergency Management has 15 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Hardy County, making 178 active cases, with a total confirmed case count of 1,093. We have had 14 confirmed COVID-19 deaths. We currently have 160 patients in quarantine at home, following proper protocol to protect their neighbors and community.
18 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 901 individuals recovered, included in the total confirmed case count of 1,093.
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 linger in the air, as well as land on objects and surfaces. Other people may contract COVID-19 by breathing in the droplets, touching these objects or surfaces, or by touching their eyes, nose or mouth. COVID-19 can be very easily spread by airborne transmission when near a contagious person or in the same room or enclosed space. 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 are vaccines under development and testing, and a few recently released to prevent COVID-19. The first vaccines available will be used for healthcare workers, first responders, and the most vulnerable community members. 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/.
The Hampshire County Health Department has received 13 confirmed cases today. Case investigation and contact tracing are ongoing.
Hampshire County’s current case count is 1,248 confirmed (PCR and Rapid test combined), 98 active, 21 deaths and 4 hospitalizations.
**Free community testing**
Hampshire County Fairgrounds
Thursday January 14th – 9a-3p: This is an oral swab. NO eating or drinking 20 minutes prior to testing.
You can walk-in or schedule an appointment at www.curative.com
In Mineral County there are a total of 2185 cases, 217 are active, 9 are probable, 1936 have recovered and there are a total of 70 deaths
Todd Finan with Principle Diagnostics says they are opening a new COVID-19 testing site in Cumberland, Maryland. Covid-19 PCR Nasal Swabs and COVID-19 Antibody tests will be administered at the new location at 222 Paca Street in Cumberland. All appointments can be made by calling (240)-580-6729. To hear the interview click here https://soundcloud.com/amanda-mangan/todd-finan-with-principle-diagnostics-for-pht