COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: April 21, 2020

Posted: April 21, 2020

Coronavirus, Daily COVID-19 Briefings

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

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

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

Everyone has a role to play to reduce and slow the transmission of COVID-19. Social distancing is an essential step in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing is reducing physical interaction between people and it lowers the chances of spreading illness between people.

Learn more about social distancing visit https://bit.ly/2wVrbqc

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Last week, Governor Larry Hogan enacted an executive order which requires the wearing of masks or face coverings when inside any retail establishments or when riding any form of public transportation in Maryland.

WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

For those who may have complaints or inquiries regarding social distancing compliance at operating businesses, organizations, establishments, facilities, or construction sites, please contact the Washington County Health Department at 240-313-3210 or email [email protected].

The Washington County Health Department will work in coordination with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police to address and investigate all complaints or inquiries.

On April 5, 2020, Governor Hogan issued Executive Order Number 20-04-05-02 Delegating Authority to Local Health Officials to Control and Close Unsafe Facilities. The purpose of the Executive Order is to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring that a business, organization, establishment, facility, or construction site complies with the Social Distancing Guidance published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). Individuals can call 240-313-3210 or email [email protected] to report concerns regarding compliance with this Executive Order.

Recent COVID-19-related accommodations from Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) include:

Extended renewal deadlines for certificates and licenses;
Expanded telehealth and telephonic options for service providers;
Guidance for providers offering virtual services;
Acquiring Personal Protective Equipment for healthcare workers using unspent grant funds; and
Support for opioid treatment programs offering extended doses of take-home medication for stable patients.

BHA has developed a dedicated webpage for behavioral health providers with COVID-19 guidance. The website features frequently updated FAQs and a Google Form to address questions and concerns as they arise. Please visit bha.health.maryland.gov/Pages/bha-covid-19.aspx for more information.

BHA is hosting weekly calls and webinars for opioid treatment providers, residential substance use disorder treatment providers, and recovery residence providers to share the most current information. To participate in these discussions, please contact Sydney Rossetti at [email protected]. BHA is also coordinating with the local managers of behavioral health services to identify emerging jurisdictional issues.

Other initiatives include social media outreach and Public Service Announcements on recognizing anxiety and depression, a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communication Card, and a Recovery and Wellness Resource guide listing virtual support groups for people in recovery.

MERITUS HEALTH

Meritus Health has a COVID-19 clinic for patients who have non-emergency health care needs and are either confirmed or suspected by a health care provider to have COVID-19. The new non-emergency care COVID-19 clinic is located at 13620 Crayton Blvd., inside Meritus Medical Plaza. Patients should enter through the main lobby of the building. Hours are Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on weekends. COVID-19 screening will not take place at the new clinic. Patients should be referred to this clinic by a Meritus Medical Group provider through an e-visit or another health care professional through a telehealth visit or by calling the COVID-19 care line at 301-790-9170.

Meritus Health continues to offer 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

INCREASED TESTING CAPACITY AVAILABLE

Click on the map to right to access the closest COVID-19 testing site.

Once you have spoken with someone on the COVID-19 care line – 301-790-9170 – or to your physician about your symptoms, you may be directed to Meritus Health’s drive-thru or walk-thru screening center.

Drive-thru Center: COVID-19 screening is available behind Meritus Medical Plaza, at 13620 Crayton Blvd. Hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and weekends from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Walk-thru Center: COVID-19 screening is available at 24 N. Walnut St, Hagerstown, MD. The walk-thru screening center is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

To view updated testing guidelines for COVID-19 at Meritus testing locations, please click here.

Meritus Equipped for Life at 525 Dual Highway, has temporarily changed its store hours effective immediately to Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and the first Wednesday of each month from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the store will now be limited to three (3) customers inside at one time. If the store’s door is locked, customers should please wait for an employee to come to greet them and let them inside. The 24-hour on-call technicians continue to be available for emergencies by calling 301-714-0200.

For the most up-to-date information on Meritus Medical Group e-visits, visitor restrictions at Meritus Health facilities including the hospital and other COVID-19 resources, please visit https://www.meritushealth.com/patients-visitors/public-notice/.

**IMMEDIATE NEED AT MERITUS**

Please consider donating new or used rain gear – coats, pants and ponchos – to Meritus Medical Center to help in our need for more protective wear on campus. All donations may be placed in the blue bins located at the Orange entrance in the back of the building, near the new construction site. Thank you in advance for your support with this immediate need.

WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) submitted a request for the state superintendent of schools to waive five (5) student days from the required 180-day school year. That request has been approved.

Currently, the last day for students is Wednesday, June 10.

This date applies whether students are physically back in school or distance learning is ongoing.

WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Please stay tuned to www.hagerstown.org for the latest information on COVID-19 relief resources, local restaurants that remain open for business, and more!

Upcoming Webinars

SBA DAILY CALLS AND WEBINARS

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is conducting daily webinars and conference calls to help small business owners understand and apply for coronavirus relief programs. The SBA offers these programs: Paycheck Protection Program, EIDL Loan Advance, SBA Express Bridge Loan, SBA Debt Relief. Calls and webinars are scheduled as follows:

3 p.m. – Daily Conference Call. 202-765-1264; ID # 827-299-626
5:30 p.m. – Daily Conference Call. 202-765-1264; ID # 310-688-488
10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. – Zoom Webinar. Meeting # 6794772946.

Please have all necessary documents ready prior to the call.

Attention Employers:

UPDATED LIST OF ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE RESOURCES FROM THE MD DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE:

MARYLAND BUSINESS RELIEF WIZARD – There are several state, local, and federal relief programs designed to help combat the economic impacts of COVID-19. The Relief Wizard is an easy-to-use tool that can direct businesses to the programs for which they are eligible. Please click reliefwizard.net.
The Maryland Department of Commerce is currently streamlining its process to review and approve loan applications. The department is also training 150 volunteers to accommodate the sharp increase in application volume. Businesses can view the status of their applications through the Department of Commerce’s OneStop Portal at onestop.md.gov.
The department is also launching a Tourism Recovery Task Force and a Manufacturing Recovery Task Force to help prepare businesses to resume operations as soon as they are able to do so. Additional task forces will be established in the coming days and weeks with the aim of helping Maryland businesses in all sectors recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. More information about these initiatives will be made available soon.

EXPANDED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS – The federal CARES Act expanded unemployment insurance benefits nationwide, giving access to sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed workers. Maryland will provide all three expanded unemployment programs: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation. Upon availability, benefits will be paid back to the earliest date of eligibility. Please use the following link to monitor progress as these programs come online and sign up to receive email updates when filing opens for PUA benefits: dllr.state.md.us/employment/unemployment.shtml

SMALL BUSINESS RESERVE (SBR) PROGRAM – Certified small businesses have access to over $400 million in prime contracting opportunities on state-funded contracts through the Small Business Reserve (SBR) Program. SBR certifications can be completed through the eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) platform by clicking emma.maryland.gov. Once certified, firms must re-certify annually. If a business is not in the program or needs to re-certify, they should complete the SBR certification process immediately. Utilize this Quick Reference Guide for more information: procurement.maryland.gov/wpcontent/uploads/sites/12/2020/03/7-SBRCertification_Recertification.pdf.

MARBIDCO PANDEMIC ADJUSTMENT LOAN FUND – The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) established the Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund Program to help Maryland’s food and fiber producers, harvesters, and primary processors adjust to business disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program offers low-cost loans with flexible terms for working capital or equipment purchases. The maximum individual loan amount is $10,000, and no collateral security is required. Applications for the Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund must be submitted by May 31. The application form is available at marbidco.org. For questions, please call (410) 267-6807.

USDA’s COVID-19 RELIEF PROGRAMS FOR RURAL AMERICA:
USDA released The COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide (PDF, 349 KB), a first-of-its-kind resource for rural leaders looking for federal funding and partnership opportunities to help address this pandemic.
USDA opened a second application window (April 14, 2020 to July 13, 2020) for $72 million of funding under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program.
USDA Rural Development lenders may offer 180-day loan payment deferrals without prior agency approval for Business and Industry Loan Guarantees, Rural Energy for America Program Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities Loan Guarantees, and Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees.
For all the information on USDA’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic and resources available, please visit www.usda.gov/coronavirus.

State releases guidance for some barbershops and salons to reopen on a limited basis and allow appointment-only services for certain essential workers who need to maintain “grooming standards” established by an employer. The customer is required to provide documentation about the employer’s grooming standards. The business must keep a copy on file and also keep a telephone number on file in case someone tests positive for the coronavirus within 14 days of services. Both the staff member and customer are also required to wear a mask or face covering. After the service is completed, the employee must clean and disinfect the area to comply with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health. State Guidance on Hair Salons, etc.: http://www.hagerstown.org/uploads/8/2/9/0/82905852/olc-interpretive-guidance-covid19_salons.pdf

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

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND UNITED WAY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY RAISE $200,000 FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY COVID-19 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND

The Washington County COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, a campaign organized by the Community Foundation and United Way of Washington County, Maryland to raise funds for Washington County nonprofits, has raised over $200,000.

The goal of the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund is to raise as much money as possible to deliver positive outcomes for severely affected individuals and families. The Community Foundation secured $100,000 in matching grants in less than two days. The initial goal for the Emergency Assistance Fund was $200,000. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, so does the community’s need for essential services and basic needs. The Emergency Assistance Fund will continue until the COVID-19 crisis has diminished.

The first disbursement of grants was announced on April 20^th. Grants totaling $50,000 were funded to five different agencies: CASA, Inc., Interfaith Service Coalition, Salvation Army, Together with Families, and the Washington County Commission on Aging. The deadline for the second cycle of grants will be Wednesday, April 22 at midnight. Applications will be reviewed, and recipients will be announced on Monday April 27^th.

The Community Foundation and United Way are challenging the community with another goal of raising $50,000 to continue to ensure basic needs and essential services are met throughout the duration of COVID-19 and its aftermath. Donations can be made online at https://bit.ly/2UR6fsy by texting COVIDWashCo to 313131, by calling 301.739.8200 x 104 or by mailing checks to United Way of Washington County, 83 West Washington Street, Suite 101, Hagerstown, MD.

HORIZON GOODWILL – CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST WITH FABRIC MASKS

Multiple local agencies and organizations that provide direct or essential services have requested in obtaining fabric masks for their employees. Horizon Goodwill is partnering with these agencies and volunteers to provide materials and instructions for creation of these masks. We have the supplies and instructions; we need volunteers with sewing machines to help get them made!

Organizations Needing Masks

City of Hagerstown- 125

Washington County EOC- 200

Salvation Army Soup Kitchen – 40

Turning Point Homeless Outreach Team- 50

Horizon Goodwill – 400

Arc of Washington County – TBA

Additional Ask

Emergency Command-7000-8000 masks that need elastic replaced. These will be at the Community Action Council for repair, need volunteers 10:00 a.m.-Noon or Noon-2:00 p.m. Monday-Friday to complete this project. We want to keep these in one place so that we can be sure all masks are returned to Sheriff. This initiative began on April 10th and will continue until completed.

Contact Information

Call Brooke Grossman, Horizon Goodwill volunteer Point Of Contact, at 301-988-0185 if interested in assisting.

Interested volunteers/groups should pick one of the projects above and a quantity they feel is reasonable for them to produce. Pickup of packaged materials will be coordinated at Horizon Goodwill headquarters at 145151 Pennsylvania Ave (across from Nick’s Airport Inn). Once volunteers are identified for specific projects, they will be provided with the Point of Contact for the specific organization and they can deliver masks directly once complete.