COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: November 17, 2020

Posted: November 17, 2020

Coronavirus, Daily COVID-19 Briefings

The Washington County, Maryland Joint Information Center (JIC) provides the following update regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please visit www.washco-md.net/coronavirus-info for the latest numbers on Washington County’s COVID-19 dashboard.’

Click here to receive Washington County briefings delivered to your inbox.

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

**The dashboard is updated Monday-Friday**

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

Governor Hogan’s press conference from earlier today is posted above. The Governor addressed the State of Maryland regarding COVID-19 and instilled new restrictions to help control the resurgence of COVID-19 and to stop the spread across Maryland. The Emergency Operations Center cannot stress enough the need for ALL OF WASHINGTON COUNTY to take this virus seriously. As you can see from the dashboard above, Washington County is still experiencing an increase in confirmed positive cases, number of hospitalizations, positivity rate, and number of confirmed deaths.

Effective Friday, November 20, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., the following restrictions will be implemented:

All bars and restaurants will close between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except for carryout and delivery.
The following businesses will operate at 50% capacity:
Retail businesses
Organizations
Religious institutions
Personal services
Bingo halls
Bowling alleys
Pool halls
Skating rinks
Fitness centers
Social clubs
Fans will not be permitted at professional or collegiate stadiums or racetracks.
Hospital visits are suspended, with certain exceptions.
Hospitals are urged to avoid admitting patients for elective procedures
Nursing home visits are suspended, except cases involving compassionate care. Visitors must who a recent negative COVID-19 test.
Nursing homes will test residents weekly and employees twice a week.

As we stated on Friday and restate again today, OUR CURVE IS STILL GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

It is once again time to get back on track. This is a critical time for Washington County to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community. If we do not work together over the next few weeks, not only will our healthcare workers be overwhelmed, but businesses will be adversely impacted.

Governor Hogan also reiterated the Statewide Order for face coverings. This order states a mask must be worn:

In indoor public areas
On public transportation
Outdoors where physical distancing is not possible

PLEASE think of others as you are going about your daily lives for the next several weeks.

WEAR A MASK
WASH YOUR HANDS
WATCH YOUR DISTANCE

If you are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please cancel all in-person activities, get tested, and STAY HOME.

COVID-19 TESTING SITES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD

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 and Saturday from 8:00 a.m.-noon.
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.
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.
U.N.I. Urgent Care Center located at 11236 Robinwood Drive, Suite 101 Hagerstown, MD 21742. Appointment required and patients are charged with copay. Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; 240-313-4242
U.N.I. Urgent Care Center located at 18721 N Pointe Drive Hagerstown, MD 21742. Appointment required and patients are charged with copay. Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; 301-733-8313

WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

COVID-19 Testing

Mobile Testing Sites: Closed for the winter months.

Winter Testing Site: Our drive-thru and walk-up COVID-19 test site will be located in one place during the winter months. Please go to the entrance at 13 West Lee Street and follow all traffic directions to be tested.

Hagerstown Housing Authority

13 West Lee Street, Hagerstown

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

10am-2pm

Days the testing site will be closed in November: 25th and 27th.

Maryland 2-1-1

With Help comes Hope. 2-1-1 is here to listen and connect you to essential resources 24/7/365! There is hope and help. Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 8-9-8-2-1-1 or visit the website at https://211md.org/

Maryland Department of Health launches MD COVID Alert

Marylanders can now use MD COVID Alert to receive COVID-19 exposure notifications on smartphones The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced the launch of MD COVID Alert, the official COVID-19 Exposure Notifications Express system of Maryland. MD COVID Alert uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology to quickly notify users who might have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 with the goal of reducing infections in Maryland.

For the full press release go to: https://health.maryland.gov/newsroom/Pages/Maryland-Department-of-Health-launches-MD-COVID-Alert.aspx

Exposure Notifications System: Helping Health Authorities fight COVID-19

MERITUS HEALTH

Changes to Visitor Policy to Keep Patients and Staff Safe

With an increase in the county’s positivity rate for COVID-19 cases and in order to remain vigilant to keep patients and staff safe, beginning Thursday, Nov. 12, no visitors will be permitted in Meritus Health facilities with only a few specific exceptions.

Meritus Health will continue to follow the Access to Support for Patient with Disabilities in Health Care Settings notice issued by the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland Department of Disabilities.

Exceptions to the no visitors’ regulation include:

One support person is designated and is permitted at all times:

For any patient with a disability who requires bedside care from a caregiver due to the specifics of the disability.*
For labor, delivery and the duration of the obstetric patient’s hospital stay.*
For pediatric patients. Two designated support people may be chosen to rotate during patient’s hospital stay, but only one visitor at a time at the bedside.*

*In each of these situations, additional safety precautions will apply to the support person if the patient he/she is caring for is diagnosed or has symptoms related to COVID-19.

One visitor is permitted if a support person is not designated:

To accompany the patient in the emergency department waiting room unless social distancing maximum capacity is met.
To accompany the patient in the patient’s emergency department room for the duration of the patient’s stay in the ED.
For a patient undergoing emergency surgery related to a traumatic event.
For a patient whose care team requests the visitor to be a part of scheduled training for the patient’s rehabilitation or to help with cognitive needs.
For a patient who is required to receive in-person, bedside, discharge education.
To escort an adult patient to registration. The visitor must leave the building after providing his/her phone number to staff.
To accompany a pediatric patient during his/her visit;

Two visitors at a time are permitted for end-of-life care for a patient.

All support people and visitors to Meritus Health facilities may be screened for flu-like symptoms and will not be able to stay if symptomatic. Face masks are required to enter all Meritus Health facilities and must be worn at all times. Support persons must arrive prior to 9 p.m. if staying overnight. Additionally, the pet therapy program remains suspended at Meritus Medical Center, but service animals continue to be allowed entrance.

Seasonal Illness Care Clinics – SIC Clinics

Preparing for the upcoming flu season and the potential increase in COVID-19 cases, Meritus Health has established Seasonal Illness Care Clinics or SIC Clinics to safely accommodate patients with symptoms of COVID-19 or flu. Once a patient has been cared for by his/her provider via video or phone, the provider may refer said patient to one of the SIC Clinics. This would be for those individuals who need to be seen in person, but have COVID or flu-like symptoms preventing them from having an in-practice appointment. Symptoms that would be present to visit a SIC Clinic could include:

Upper respiratory illness
Body aches
Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Loss of sense of smell or taste
Ear pain
Shortness of breath/wheezing
Generalized body aches/joint pain/muscle pain/fatigue
Chills
Nasal congestion/runny nose/sinus pain and pressure, post nasal drip
You’ve tested positive for COVID and have worsening symptoms
You have known COVID exposure and feel ill

SIC Clinic – North (located at Meritus Medical Plaza, 13620 Crayton Blvd.)

Hours of operation: Monday–Friday from 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 8–Noon

SIC Clinic – Smithsburg (located beside Meritus Pediatric & Adult Medicine – Smithsburg practice)

Hours of operations: Monday–Thursday 10:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 8:30-11:30 a.m.

MERITUS HEALTH DRIVE-THRU SCREENING CENTER

The drive-thru screening center for COVID-19 testing is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – noon.

The screening center is located behind Meritus Medical Plaza at 13620 Crayton Blvd. Testing is available for anyone, including those who do not currently have symptoms of the coronavirus, but suspect or are concerned that they have been exposed. No appointments or referrals are needed to be tested. Test results are available in as little as 24 hours either through a patient’s My Chart account or primary care provider.

FREE TELEHEALTH VISITS AVAILABLE

Meritus Health continues to offer FREE telehealth visits. These visits will allow patients to speak directly with a primary care provider to discuss health concerns.

Telehealth visits are available from 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. To request a telehealth visit please complete the form below.

BOOK YOUR TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENT HERE

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 greater Washington 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.

WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Visit www.washcorises.net for constantly updated resources and information to help you reopen your business.

The Washington County Department of Business Development announces application submittals for the Direct Relief for Restaurants Grant will be placed on hold effective immediately. A large volume of applications have been received and are projected to expend available funds.

The Department of Business Development will be reviewing all applications that were received on or before 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2020. The Department of Business Development appreciates the response from the restaurant industry in Washington County.

For questions, please email [email protected]

Tri-County Council for Western Maryland (TCCWMD) is offering businesses located in Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties low interest financing through Summit Financing Solutions Revolving Loan Fund Program.

Apply now through November 30, 2020 or while funds remain available!

Interest rates as low as 0% for the first 12 months
Loan amounts range from $10,000 to $500,000
Eligible purposes include: business acquisition, building improvements, equipment purchases, business start-up costs, and working capital
Terms up to 15 years
Loans under $25,000, quick turnaround time & flexible terms

Businesses must meet the following criteria to apply:

The business must be a business entity in good standing with the State of Maryland
Principal place of business must be in Allegany, Garrett, or Washington County

Start the Conversation Today! Contact Chris Funk, Business Development Loan Officer, at 301-689-1300 or [email protected].

Important information below from SBDC’s Financial Specialist Team if you or your business as received a PPP loan:

As a PPP borrower – and with 2020 tax preparation season now in swing – the Maryland SBDC Financial Specialists Team wants to remind you about tax implications related to PPP forgiveness. Although the SBDC does NOT provide tax advice, they wanted to make you aware of a potentially KEY issue. Per IRS Notice 2020-32, expenses paid using FORGIVEN PPP funds are NOT tax-deductible expenses. This means that if your application for forgiveness is APPROVED in 2020, the expenses you paid with those “forgiven” PPP funds WILL NOT be deductible on your 2020 tax return. This could have significant “2020 income tax due” implications when you file the return. If you delay the “Forgiveness” request/get approval until 2021, that would allow time for tax planning related to the 2021 tax filing when those “forgiven” related expenses still cannot be deducted. STEPS TO TAKE: SBDC encourages you to connect ASAP with your tax preparer to consider strategies and options. Certainly, if you have any questions or want additional insights, please feel free to contact your Maryland SBDC Business Consultant, go to the www.marylandsbdc.org website to get connected with a Consultant and/or refer to our COVID19 Small Business Survival Guide.

The Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is hosting free webinars throughout November and early December.

Webinar: From Bah Humbug to BOOM-Mastering The Holiday Season Selling To Customers!

December 2, 2020, 9:00-10:15am

Webinar: Holiday eCommerce for Small Retailers-From Brick & Mortar to Click & Mortar

December 9, 2020, 9:00-10:15am

Webinar: Navigating The Holiday Season & COVID Like A Pro

November 18, 2020, 1:00-2:30pm

Webinar: Holiday eCommerce for Small Retailers: Tips for Fulfilling Those Orders

November 23, 2020, 9:00-10:15am

December 16, 2020, 9:00-10:15am

To register or find out more information about each webinar, click here.

Help Us Continue on Our Path to Keep Washington County Open – Please ensure your business and customers continue to follow the recommended CDC guidelines as we reopen businesses and other activities across Washington County. Wearing masks inside, social distancing, regular hand washing, and expanded cleaning is still a critical part of keeping infection rates low. By taking on these minor inconveniences, we can prevent a spike in infections which could force officials to slow down or even reverse the reopening process. The coronavirus has not gone away and we must stay vigilant until a vaccine is created. We all have a responsibility to do our part to help our economy reopen so that our many local businesses can survive and provide jobs for our citizens.

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, INFO & EVENTS

WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY

Due to increased community spread of COVID-19 in Washington County, the Board of Trustees and Administration at Washington County Free Library, with the support of the Washington County Health Department, have made the decision to temporarily suspend in person services at all locations effective Thursday, November 19. This change will be re-evaluated on December 9.

Library materials will be available for check out through curbside pickup service.

Gateway Church will be hosting a FREE FARMERS MARKET this Saturday and the first two Saturdays in December. The giveaway will begin at 10:00 AM each Saturday and continue until all supplies are gone.

Gateway Church is located at 11017 Kemps Mill Road, Williamsport, MD.

Each family will receive:

15 lbs of produce
5 lbs of meat
5 lbs of dairy
1 gallon of milk

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! The Hope Center is in need of volunteers to help with our Great Hagerstown Thanksgiving Feast this year. Things will be done a little different for 2020 which means there won’t be a service or kids activities. And all food served will be carry-out or delivery.

Volunteers are needed to help prep food for delivery, hand out food for carry-out guests, and deliver food to individuals in the community. All deliveries will be inside Hagerstown city limits.

For the safety of volunteers, staff, and guests, masks must be worn at all times and social distancing guidelines will be in place for the carry-out part of the celebration.

If you or someone you know is interested in helping this year please call The Hope Center during business hours M-F at 301-739-1165 or email at [email protected].

If you are behind on your bills (rent, electric, gas, oil, & water) contact the Community Action Council to determine if you are eligible for assistance!

The funding available is first-come, first-served. Please call 301-797-4161 or email [email protected] for more 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:

Adding to the forum if you can provide a service or have a need
Sharing the forum

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

The JIC consists of representatives from the following agencies: Washington County Government, Washington County Health Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Public Schools, Meritus Health, Washington County Chamber of Commerce, City of Hagerstown, and Hagerstown Community College.

For additional information, please contact the Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380 or [email protected].

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COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: November 17, 2020

Other news:

Washington County Government Closed for Thanksgiving

Washington County Office of Emergency Management Shares Statewide Ban on Outdoor Burning Lifted in Maryland

The Washington County Public Safety Training Center Will Be Closed on Tuesday, November 26, 2024

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