COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: April 30, 2020

Posted: April 30, 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 can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a Coronavirus Self-Checker, also known as Clara. Clara can help you decide when to call your doctor if you are feeling sick.

Try the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention symptom checker here: https://bit.ly/2UX7qXl

WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

There has been a lot of concern regarding congregate living facilities and the safety of those living there and the staff. Given the nature of these facilities and their population, the residents of these facilities are considered at high risk for contracting COVID-19. Since the beginning of this pandemic the Washington County Health Department has been working to monitor, prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in and around long term care facilities and other congregate living facilities.

The Washington County Health Department has appointed a dedicated nurse to each long term care facility in Washington County to act as a point of contact and case manager for the facility. Our nurses receive daily updates and reports on staff and resident illness, COVID-19 testing, staffing storages, and bed availability. In addition to daily contact our nurses facilitate a weekly group call with Long Term Care Facility directors in order to provide guidance, answer questions and concerns, and allow everyone to share best practices. Long term care facilities are also instructed to assess and request needed PPE supplies through the Washington County Emergency Operations Center.

When there is a COVID-19 outbreak (one case, staff or resident) the health department provides guidance in conjunction with the epidemiologists at the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). Our nurses facilitate testing and submission of samples to the MDH lab. Facilities can also request the assistance of state Go Teams through the Health Officer and Emergency Manager. Go Teams provide immediate support and assistance to help protect residents of these facilities.

The federal government now requires nursing homes to disclose positive COVID-19 cases within their facilities to residents, their families and representatives when either residents or staff contract the COVID-19. Under Govern Larry Hogan’s order the Maryland Department of health will now display COVID-19 cases and deaths in congregate living facilities on their website.

MERITUS HEALTH

COVID-19 TESTING EXPANDS FOR COMMUNITY

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

COVID-19 testing is now available to anyone showing symptoms as designated by the CDC – Fever greater than 100.5 degrees and/or a dry cough, shortness of breath or sore throat. No appointments or referrals are needed to be tested. Testing is now available for all ages.Testing is available for all ages. Meritus Health’s screening centers include:

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 6:00 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.

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 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

Friday, May 1, 11:00 a.m. – Noon

COVID-19: Economic Outlook and Prospects for Recovery – Hosted by the MD Chamber of Commerce

Join us for a conversation with Tom Barkin, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Mr. Barkin will discuss the Federal Reserve’s recent and unprecedented actions and share his thoughts on the U.S. economy, including what the Richmond Fed is learning through business outreach, and the key components to a successful recovery.

Friday, May 1, 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.

COVID-19 Cleaning Review – Hosted by Weiss Bros

Join ISSA Certified Trainer Steve Johnson for a free webinar to discuss the following tops around cleaning:

Go through CDC current guidelines on cleaning procedures
Using Proper Disinfectants
Personal Protection Equipment
Wrap Up

Monday, May 4^th, 10:30 – 11:30

Town Hall with Sec. Kelly Schulz and Washington County Delegation Members

MEETING LOG-IN: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/714969253

Hosted by Senator Andrew Serafini and Washington County Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Paul Frey, this GoToMeeting event will address COVID-19 Relief information, an update from the Maryland Department of Commerce, and information (including a Q&A session) on Maryland’s Road to Recovery plan to re-open.

Wednesday, May 6^th, 9:00 – 10:00am

COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Business with Sec. Tiffany Robinson, Maryland Department of Labor & Licensing

MEETING LOG-IN: Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84082371897?pwd=elpwQ1k5VDJ5ZVVHdWxXYWRnZ1Badz09

Meeting ID: 840 8237 1897

Password: 358303

Dial by your location

301 715 8592

Join the Washington County Chamber of Commerce for a virtual meeting with Maryland’s Secretary of Labor, Ms. Tiffany Robinson. Secretary Robinson will give an update on the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on our businesses and their labor forces, as well as update us on the unemployment insurance application and payment process.

Attention Employers:

The Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Unemployment Insurance has posted four new tutorial videos on their website, social media pages, and YouTube to help Marylanders navigate the new BEACON One-Stop. All four videos can be found directly on their homepage at MDunemployment.com.

WASHINGTON COUNTY REAL ESTATE PROPERTY TAX SALE

The Washington County Treasurer’s Office announces the Washington County, Maryland Real Estate Property Tax Sale scheduled for June 2, 2020 has been postponed and tentatively rescheduled for September 1, 2020.

WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS

The Maryland State Board of Elections is urging all Maryland voters to be on the lookout for mail-in ballots for the June 2^nd Presidential Primary election. Mail-in ballots could begin arriving in mailboxes this week. Due the coronavirus, the June 2^nd Primary will be conducted by mail, with limited options to vote in person on election day.

“We are asking all Maryland voters to be on the lookout for their mail-in ballot for the June 2^nd primary election and to vote-by-mail if possible,” said Linda Lamone, Maryland Administrator of Elections. “Voting by mail is safe, secure and free. There is no postage required. Voters simply need to fill out their ballot, sign the oath on the envelope, and place it back in the mail.”

The Maryland State Board of Elections is committed to educating voters on the changes made to election procedures due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. These changes have been made to ensure voters can exercise their fundamental right to vote while also safeguarding the public’s health during this pandemic.

The June 2^nd Presidential Primary election will be conducted by mail, with up-to-four in-person voting locations in each county and Baltimore City for those who are unable to vote by mail.

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.