COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: August 14, 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

The Washington County Emergency Operations Center reminds Washington County, MD residents there is still a statewide masking order that requires face coverings in public spaces of all businesses, and in outdoor public areas when maintaining physical distance is not possible.

Face coverings, often called masks, can help stop your germs from infecting others in the community. Research has shown that wearing masks reduces the risk of infection, especially when combined with other prevention efforts such as washing your hands often and staying 6 feet away from others. Wearing a mask to protect against coronavirus has become part of daily life for Washington County residents and fellow Marylanders.

Though wearing a mask is one of the most important things you can do to prevent coronavirus infection, there are still many misunderstandings about:

The University of Maryland Medical System released myths and facts behind coronavirus masks. Learn more by visiting https://bit.ly/33WlYN6

To protect yourself and others from COVID-19 all citizens are encouraged to continue washing your hands, social distance, wear a mask, get tested, and stay at home when experiencing minor symptoms. Do your part to keep Washington County and the State of Maryland open for business!

To nominate a local hero or learn more about our “THIS IS A HERO” campaign visit www.washcoheroes.com.

COVID-19 TESTING SITES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD

Washington County Health Department Testing Sites:

(All testing at WCHD sites are Free)

VEIP Station Drive Thru Testing Site

12100 Insurance Way in Hagerstown.

Doctor’s order is NOT required. Appointments are still required. Schedule your own appointment HERE.

Appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 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)

Mobile Walk-Up Testing Sites:

Washington County Health Department is launching mobile testing sites throughout Washington County. 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 swab 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 and are from 8:00-11:00 a.m. unless indicated differently.

At this time we have scheduled free COVID-19 testing 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/

MERITUS HEALTH INFECTION CONTAINMENT WING COMPLETED

The hospital’s new 2 South Infection Containment Wing was officially celebrated during a very small ribbon cutting with core health officials, local dignitaries and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce recently. The new space is negative pressure and ventilator capable, providing the community with an additional 20 beds, in a contained space, for medical/surgical care. It will serve as an important resource in the current COVID-19 pandemic environment, as well as for future needs.

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.

WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Rise Up Business Stabilization Grant has been reopen with changes to the guidelines. New guidelines allow start-up businesses established and operational from September 2019 to March 2020 that meet the criteria to submit an application. Other established businesses who have NOT previously applied would also be eligible to apply. Grant applications are accepted and funds are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Applications will be accepted from 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2020 until midnight on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Applications will be accepted electronically and can be downloaded at www.washcorises.net. Details for submission are stated on the application. The website also provides guidelines, application instructions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Business owners can access the application by clicking the button below.

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 – IT IS ALSO STATE LAW. 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.

Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund for 501(c)(6) Nonprofits

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

To support Maryland’s nonprofit 501(c)(6) organizations facing financial impacts from the novel coronavirus, the Maryland Department of Commerce in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) have established the Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund for 501(c)(6) Nonprofits with $1 million of federal CARES Act funding.

The grant will provide financing to organizations experiencing economic stresses in order to mitigate potential layoffs or organizational closures due to COVID-19. Eligible organizations may apply for funding up to $10,000. We will accept applications starting August 17 through August 24.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Eligible applicants must be a Maryland based organization that represent businesses in the region they serve, which may include employer consortiums comprised of businesses who collectively meet the above qualifications, such as: Non-profit or community-based organizations; Industry Associations; Business Leagues; Destination Marketing Organizations; and Local or Regional Economic Development Entities.

SCAM ALERT: Maryland Businesses Receiving Fake “2020 Certificate of Good Standing Request Form” Letter; Same Scam Letter Circulated in Late 2019

Effective Monday, August 17, 2020, Washington County Parks and Recreation announces Marty Snook Pool will be changing its operations to Saturdays and Sundays only from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m for the remainder of the season. The pool will be closed Monday through Friday.

As a reminder, check the pool tracking tool to see how many people are at Marty Snook Pool before you go. Click on the graphic below to access the tracker.

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.