COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: July 28, 2020

COVID-19 Joint Information Daily Briefings will be released ONLY on Tuesdays and Fridays.

**The dashboard will be updated Monday-Friday**

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

Together we can make a huge difference. Practicing healthy habits can help limit the spread of COVID-19. If you are in public, wear a face covering and stay at least 6 feet away from others who don’t live in your household.

If you don’t work in healthcare or certain industries, wearing a face covering on a routine basis might be a new thing for you. Putting on a face covering anytime you go out in public can take a bit of getting used to but wearing a face covering not only helps to protect yourself from COVID-19, but it also helps to protect others. Think of wearing a face covering as a selfless act, one in which we are each taking responsibility and doing our part to help protect the most vulnerable members of our community. Even if you want to take your chances with catching COVID-19, think about other people around you. It’s often difficult to tell just by looking at someone whether they’re in a high-risk group, such as people with high blood pressure or diabetes. No one wants to accidentally spread the virus to someone who might have severe complications if they catch it. If you wear a face covering and practice social distancing when out in public, you can feel good about knowing you are part of our community’s effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Learn more about wearing face coverings in public settings and how you can help limit the spread of COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

COVID-19 TESTING SITES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD

WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Don’t Wait! Keep your Child’s Immunizations Up-To-Date!

WCHD Offering FREE Vaccination Clinics

Recent data has shown a significant decrease in pediatric vaccination rates in Maryland and across the U.S. During this COVID-19 pandemic many children have not received their recommended vaccinations on time. Vaccinations are important and essential to avoid outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases and keep our children protected.

The Washington County Health Department is offering FREE, Drive-thru vaccination clinics for students entering the 7th grade. We will offer the Meningitis vaccine and Tdap vaccine, both are required for entry into 7th grade. Although distance learning for schools may continue next year, it is vital that children stay up-to-date on their vaccines for their health and schools will require these vaccines upon returning to school. These are challenging times, but you have the power to help keep your child healthy.

What: Meningitis and Tdap Vaccine for students entering 7th grade

When: July 29^th from 1pm-4pm and August 12^th from 1pm-4pm

Where: The Washington County Public Service Academy. 701 Frederick Street, Hagerstown MD 21740.

Parents must accompany children and bring their child’s immunization records. To view and print official copies of your child’s vaccination records at no cost, visit MD.MyIR.net

For further information, please call us at 240-313-3210

The Hagerstown VEIP Drive-thru Testing Site no longer requires a doctor’s order to get tested at this site. Appointments are still required. Appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Individuals can schedule their own appointment by going to https://health.maryland.gov/covidtest/Pages/Home.aspx

Please follow the directions on the page and choose the Hagerstown VEIP Station when choosing a location. Accommodations such as large print or Braille materials, sign language interpreter, deaf language interpreter, foreign language interpreter, use of MD Relay and more are available at no cost to you at this testing site. Please make sure you indicate any accommodations you require when scheduling your appointment.

More information on:

(English and Spanish versions are accessible by clicking on the above links)

The Washington County Health Department continues to expand FREE COVID-19 testing to vulnerable and hard to reach populations in Washington County. The health department is working with local towns and communities all over the county to bring mobile walk-in testing sites right to the local residents. Testing as these sites will be open to everyone and you do not need a doctor’s order or an appointment to participate. The tests used are the quick nasal swap that takes about 15 seconds to administer. Please follow social distancing and masking guidelines when participating at these sites. All testing sites are walk-up clinics.

At this time free COVID-19 testing is scheduled from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the following locations:

New locations will be announced on the Health Department’s website at https://washcohealth.org/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/ and on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WashHealth/

VIRTUAL VISITS CONNECT PATIENTS AND FAMILIES

Since restrictions remain in place for visitors at Meritus Medical Center, the hospital is offering virtual visits to connect patients with their families and friends. To setup a virtual visit, please contact the program’s coordinator at 240-313-3163.

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 the 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.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES & INFORMATION

WASHINGTON COUNTY PARENTS SUPPORT DATABASE

The group WC Parents have created a simplified support database to gather and retain all services and needs in one place. This is an excellent example of the community working together to meet the tangible, everyday needs of parents in our community as this school year will begin with distance learning.

If you need childcare or can provide it, if you need tutoring or can provide it, etc., please join this forum and share your resources or needs.

It is up to the community to share your resources and fill this database. The group is asking for the public’s help in:

Click on the graphic below to join the forum or visit Wcparents.freeforums.net.

SUMMER REC CAMPS

The Washington County Recreation Department Still has openings for the Summer Youth Day Camp at:

Our camps serve children ages 5 to 12 years old. Camps run through August 14th. The camp fee is $85.00 per week or $75.00 if paid 7 days in advance.

Register today at www.washcorecfit.com or https://tinyurl.com/y8j9cvls

View the informational flyer at https://tinyurl.com/ya5ef9xb