FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Danielle Weaver, Lead PIO
Joint Information Center
Phone: 240-313-2384
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Brittany Arizmendi, JIC Manager
Joint Information Center
Phone: 240-313-2389
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COVID-19
JOINT INFORMATION CENTER BRIEFING
February 7, 2022
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The next Joint Information Briefing will be distributed on Monday, February 21, 2022. |
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The Washington County, Maryland Joint Information Center (JIC) presents information provided by the Washington County Health Department, Washington County Government, and Meritus Health.
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EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER |
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Washington County continues to experience a high level of community transmission of COVID-19. While the positivity rate is beginning to decrease, Washington County's positivity rate is more than double the 7-day average for the State of Maryland. In addition, 8 more deaths have occurred from COVID-19 in the past week. As we approach Super Bowl weekend with traditions of gathering, please do your part to keep yourself, your family, and members of the community safe.
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HEALTHCARE HEROES APPRECIATION WEEK |
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Governor Hogan proclaimed February 7-13, 2022 as Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Week in Maryland. Whether it’s doctors, nurses, and EMTs, or the clinical staff at testing and vaccination sites, we owe a profound debt of gratitude to our frontline medical workers. Nominate an outstanding healthcare worker by clicking on the button below.
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REPORTING YOUR COVID AT-HOME POSITIVE TEST |
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Those with positive results from at-home Covid-19 tests can now report those on the Maryland Health Department portal. Click on the link above to report your results.
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WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT |
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As we prepare for the Super Bowl this week, we continue to cheer for our home team! By using teamwork we can defeat this surge of COVID-19.
Keeping Score: Numbers are Improving
For the past two weeks, our numbers have continued to show improvement. In fact, due to the decrease in patient volume and improved staffing, Meritus Medical Center is no longer operating under crisis standards of care. We aren't out of the woods, and continue to operate under emergency procedures, but feel encouraged by the reduction of inpatient COVID patients. A few weeks ago we were caring for 100 COVID-positive patients, now, we continue to see a range in the mid-forties.
Positivity rates of tests collected by Meritus Health are declining as well. This week, positivity rates were around 20 percent positive. About a month ago they were close to 40 percent positive, so we are making strides and hopeful that this trend will continue.
Don’t be a Super Spreader during the Super Bowl
It’s no coincidence that our local hospital gets overwhelmed following times of large gatherings.
Following the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, Meritus Medical Center experienced surges in patient volume. Let’s not fumble – and use the good defense of vaccines, boosters, masks, and hand hygiene to keep well.
Meritus Health continues to work to make vaccination convenient. Beginning February 8, we will offer new hours to better fit the needs of pediatric patients:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. by appointment or walk-in from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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Pediatric Pfizer 5-11 year olds: Tuesday and Thursday 12 - 4:30 p.m. by appointment or walk-in from 12 - 4 p.m.
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Pediatric Pfizer 12-17 year boosters: Tuesday and Thursday 12 - 4:30 p.m. by appointment or walk-in from 12 - 4 p.m.
*Please note, this does not change EvuSheld Administration. It will maintain Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sideline Support: Save a life by donating blood
Meritus Medical Center, like hospitals across the country, continues to experience a blood shortage. Donations are desperately needed! This is a very meaningful way to support the medical needs of your community right now.
Meritus is hosting a blood drive March 11th, but we are encouraging community members to also reach out directly to the American Red Cross to donate.
Friday, March 11, 2022
10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Robinwood Professional Center - Suite 142
To schedule your donation click here and use the search term "Robinwood".
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WASHINGTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT |
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Washington County Government encourages anyone that enters the building to please wear a mask.
Citizens' Participation at Board of County Commissioners Meetings
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Citizens are required to submit a request to participate to [email protected] or by calling 240-313-2204 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting..
At this time, all County operations and services continue to be offered as normal.
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The Emergency Operations Center continues to encourage residents that if you have not yet been vaccinated to strongly consider the benefits of getting the vaccination. If you click on the photo above, it will take you to the COVID-19 Vaccine Community Calendar. |
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Please continue to take the necessary steps to help our healthcare workers over the next several weeks to keep yourself, your family, and your friends safe:
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GET VACCINATED AND BOOSTED. Washington County has 54.3% of the population fully vaccinated. Let's work together to continue to boost this number! If you are wary about getting the shot, please speak with your doctor. Schedule an appointment or walk-in at your convenience.
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WEAR A MASK. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, please wear a mask that properly fits and is over your nose when you are out in a public. See the section below about mask-wearing.
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AVOID LARGE CROWDS AND POORLY VENTILATED INDOOR SPACES. To combat the rapid spreading of COVID-19, it is recommended to avoid large crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces for the next several weeks. If you must be inside, please maintain social distance and wear a mask.
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GET TESTED AND STAY HOME. If you are experiencing any COVID-19 related symptoms, please get tested and stay home.
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WASH YOUR HANDS. Please continue to wash your hands frequently, especially after being out in public or around people outside of your immediate household.
Businesses and employers can play a key role in preventing and slowing the spread within the workplace. Employers’ COVID-19 preparedness, response, and control plans should take into account workplace factors such as the feasibility of social distancing in the workplace, ability to stagger employee shifts, the degree to which employees interact with the public in person, the feasibility of accomplishing work by telework, the geographical isolation of the workplace, whether employees live in congregate housing, the proportion of employees at increased risk for severe illness, policies regarding sick leave for staff, and priority for continuity of operations. Employers should also consider the level of COVID-19 disease transmission in their communities.
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WHY SHOULD YOU WEAR A MASK?
- Masking is a critical public health tool for preventing spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask.
- To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, CDC continues to recommend that you wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently.
- Masks and respirators are effective at reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, when worn consistently and correctly.
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Some masks and respirators offer higher levels of protection than others, and some may be harder to tolerate or wear consistently than others. It is most important to wear a well-fitted mask or respirator correctly that is comfortable for you and that provides good protection.
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While all masks and respirators provide some level of protection, properly fitted respirators provide the highest level of protection. Wearing a highly protective mask or respirator may be most important for certain higher risk situations, or by some people at increased risk for severe disease.
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CDC’s mask recommendations provide information that people can use to improve how well their masks protect them.
Visit the CDC website to learn more about which mask is best for you.
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COVID-19 TESTING SITES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD
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Meritus Screening Drive Thru Center is located at 13620 Crayton Blvd. The drive-thru screening center is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Health Department Testing Site is located at the Hagerstown Housing Authority at 36 W. Lee Street, Hagerstown, and is currently open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
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CVS Drive-Thru Testing Site located at 1503 Potomac Ave, Hagerstown MD 21742. Please visit https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing to see if you qualify for testing at this site and to schedule an appointment.
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CVS Drive-Thru Testing Site located at 10 E Wilson Blvd, Hagerstown MD 21740. Please visit https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing to see if you qualify for testing at this site and to schedule an appointment.
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U.N.I. Urgent Care Center located at 11236 Robinwood Drive, Suite 101 Hagerstown, MD 21742. Walk-ins are welcome and patients may be charged with a copay. Everyday 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; 240-313-4242
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U.N.I. Urgent Care Center located at 18721 N Pointe Drive Hagerstown, MD 21742. Walk-ins are welcome and patients may be charged with a copay. Everyday 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; 301-733-8313
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The purpose of this page is to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis. Do your part to stop the spread of disinformation by doing 3 easy things; don’t believe the rumors, don’t pass them along, and go to trusted sources of information to get the facts about the state of Maryland's (COVID-19) response.
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For additional information, please contact the Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380 or [email protected].
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