COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: January 22, 2021

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

 

**The dashboard is updated Monday-Friday**

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

The Emergency Operations Center shares the sobering news that since last Friday, 23 residents in Washington County have lost their lives to COVID-19. Washington County is facing a serious community spread of COVID-19. Over the next several weeks, we urge all residents to continue to wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose while out in public or when you are around others outside of your household. Please avoid gatherings with people outside of your household, but if you must gather, please wear a mask and maintain at least 6 feet of social distance.

 

If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have been around others that have tested positive, PLEASE STAY HOME. Monitor your health closely and get tested.

Please continue to follow the guidelines put forth by the CDC and Maryland Department of Health:

 

Total Vaccinations Administered in Washington County: 9,127

***Timelines are subject to change depending on multiple factors, including vaccine availability***

 

COUNTY STATUS: PHASE 1B

As new phases for vaccine distribution are opened by the state of Maryland, it is important for the community to understand that a process to notify people who meet the requirements in each phase is in the works. Please be patient and wait to read more about this process early next week in the Joint Information Center’s COVID-19 brief.

 

Information will also be posted to the following locations:

 

It is important that those who qualify in each phase wait to be notified of when and how to schedule a vaccine appointment. As phases open up and vaccine supply is received locally, more people will be notified.

 

At this time, phone calls for more information or to ask questions are placing a burden on the systems. The goal of everyone responding to the COVID-19 pandemic is to get everyone in Washington County vaccinated as quickly and safely as possible. We thank you for your patience as we work through vaccinating those in Phase 1A and 1B.

**Please note that ALL vaccinations are by appointment only. Walk-ins are not accepted at this time.**

 

***Vaccinations can only be administered by the rate at which they are received from the state and the federal government. PLEASE BE PATIENT as the County and Meritus Health work to vaccinate individuals that fall within Phase 1A and Phase 1B over the next few weeks.***

 

PHASE 1B: Currently On-going

 

 

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES & OTHER CONGREGATE FACILITIES

The vaccination of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and congregate living facilities are being coordinated by pharmacies through a federal contract. However, in an effort to assist in vaccinating these vulnerable populations sooner, the Washington County Health Department is working to vaccinate certain local congregate living facilities. Facilities will be contacted by the health department on how staff and residents can schedule their appointments.

 

ADULTS 75 AND OLDER

Those who are 75 years and older can schedule an appointment with Meritus Health. Information to register for an appointment can be found below.

 

NOTE: Appointments are only made available when additional supplies of vaccine come from the state.

 

 

EDUCATION & CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT

The health department and Meritus Health are working together to plan for the vaccination of WCPS employees, government employees, and staff at non-public schools. Information regarding vaccination appointments and additional details will come from the employer for this grouping.

 

As the health department receives more allocations of the vaccine, clinics will be expanded to the other groups identified in phase 1B such as daycare providers, high-risk inmates, and developmentally disabled populations.

 

Once the health department has scheduled the priority groups listed above, more information on registering to be vaccinated will be announced. All updates will be located on the County’s website at https://www.washco-md.net/coronavirus-info/vaccine. The public can also stay updated from the state by signing up for 211 alerts by texting “MdReady” to 898-211.

 

PHASE 1C: Begins January 25, 2021

 

 

PILOT PROGRAM WITH GIANT AND WALMART PHARMACIES

The State of Maryland is launching a pilot program for COVID-19 vaccines to be administered at Giant and Walmart pharmacies beginning the week of January 25. This initial program will be available at 22 Giant locations across the state, three Martin’s locations in Allegany and Washington counties, as well as 10 Walmart locations in Western Maryland and on the Eastern Shore. As the federal allocation of vaccines increases, the state will bring more pharmacies and more locations online. Specifics on clinic locations will be released in the near future.

If you or a loved one is struggling with anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide, or substance use, please dial 2-1-1. For a more in-depth look at resources available in Washington County, please visit www.washcohope.com.

To partner with the community for this outreach campaign, golden thread bracelets will be given to businesses and community organizations across Washington County who would like to be a Threads of Hope partner. All partners are asked to hand out bracelets to anyone who may need encouragement during this season. If you are a business or organization in Washington County that would like to get involved, please sign-up at www.washcohope.com. Scroll to the bottom of the page to complete the form.

The County recognizes that nothing about this year has been normal. As we enter into the winter months, staying connected may become more difficult. It is okay to reach out for help. Citizens are encouraged to check on your friends and family members. Find creative ways to connect virtually or send cards of encouragement in the mail. We will get through this is together.

COVID-19 TESTING SITES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD

 

WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The Washington County Health Department is continuing to hire interested individuals to assist us in our local COVID-19 efforts. Anyone interested in becoming a contact tracer or working at our COVID-19 testing site, please email your resume to Jessica Delmotte at [email protected].

COVID-19 TESTING

Mobile Testing Sites: Closed for the winter months.

 

Winter Testing Site: Our drive-thru and walk-up COVID-19 test site is located at 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

9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

PSA- Fraudulent Calls Claiming to be Contact Tracers:

We have seen an increased number of reports of people receiving phone calls from individuals claiming to be from the “health department”. These individuals are then asking Washington County residents for personal and financial information. Please be cautious and aware that contact tracers will NEVER ask for your:

 

 

You should never give out personal information without being sure of who you are talking to directly. Contact tracers will only ask you questions regarding:

 

For more information about contact tracing please visit https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/contact-tracing   

CONTACT TRACING UPDATE

Due to significant increases in the daily volume of COVID-19 positive individuals in our county, the Washington County Health Department is working diligently alongside NORC call center to notify all positive cases and their contacts in a timely manner.

 

Currently NORC call center is making all first contact attempts for COVID-19 positive individuals in Washington County. When you see “MD COVID” or (240) 466-4488 on your phone, please answer the call. If NORC is unable to reach the individual, Washington County Health Department is notified and attempts to reach the COVID-19 positive individual.

 

The key things to know if you test positive but don’t get a call are to isolate (please see the FAQs about Isolation and Quarantine) and to tell your close contacts* of their exposure.

 

We urge Washington County residents to cooperate and help contact tracer by answering all the questions they ask. Your honest answers and the information you provide will help us in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Your cooperation in contact tracing efforts plays a crucial role in keeping our community healthy.

 

* Close contact is described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as being within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. Cumulative total can be determined by adding individual exposures over a 24-hour period (e.g., three 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes)

 

For more information of contact tracing please go to https://covidlink.maryland.gov/content/faqs/#faqCT

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

The Maryland Department of the Environment is offering Free Radon Test Kits to Maryland residents. To learn more about Radon and how to request your free kit go to https://washcohealth.org/free-radon-test-kits-available/

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. – 2:00 p.m.

 

The screening center is located behind Meritus Medical Plaza at 13620 Crayton Blvd., in Hagerstown. 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. Due to the current volume of cars coming through the line daily, results can take more than five days to be available through a patient’s My Chart account or primary care provider.

SBA has reopened the #PaycheckProtection Program loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for First and Second Draw applications.

 

Early last week, SBA granted dedicated PPP access to Community Financial Institutions which include Community Development Financial Institutions, Minority Depository Institutions, Certified Development Companies, and Microloan Intermediaries as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to reach underserved and minority small businesses.

 

SBA will continue its emphasis on reaching smaller lenders and businesses by opening to approximately 5,000 more lenders, including community banks, credit unions, and farm credit institutions. Moreover, the agency also plans to have dedicated service hours for these smaller lenders after the portal fully re-opens next week.

 

First Draw PPP Loans are for those borrowers who have not received a PPP loan before August 8, 2020. The first round of the PPP, which ran from March to August 2020.

 

Second Draw PPP Loans are for eligible small businesses with 300 employees or less, that previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will use or have used the full amount only for authorized uses, and that can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.

 

Read the full press release here.

 

For updated PPP Lender forms, guidance, and resources go to https://www.sba.gov/ppp

FEEDBACK NEEDED FROM BUSINESS COMMUNITY

Over the last several weeks, the Chamber has been contacted by numerous members and other stakeholders regarding the role of the business community in Maryland’s mass vaccination efforts.

 

To support the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in their efforts moving forward, it is critically important that you submit your feedback via the two surveys linked below.

 

Please note that responses to these surveys do not entitle the entity to immediate vaccine deliveries. The next phases of vaccine distribution will depend on vaccines that are allocated to Maryland through the federal government’s Operation Warp Speed program. The intent of this effort is to gather feedback and information to better assist in Maryland’s mass vaccination planning for future phases.

 

For more information and assistance on the Stakeholder COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Operations & Logistics Capabilities Support, please contact [email protected].

 

Please visit the covidlink.maryland.gov website for more updated information on the COVID-19 Mass Vaccination in the State of Maryland. For additional information and assistance on Mass Vaccination General Inquiries email [email protected]

 

PLEASE FILL OUT THE SURVEYS BELOW ON BEHALF OF YOUR ORGANIZATION

 

Please input your feedback in order for the State to improve the communication resources and tools provided to support your industry in the COVID-19 Mass Vaccination effort.

Please fill out the following survey below to provide the State your capability to support Mass Vaccination Operations and Logistics.*

*Please know that the beginning of these next phases will depend on when vaccines are allocated to Maryland through the federal government’s Operation Warp Speed program. The intent of this document is to gather feedback in order to assist our mass vaccination plan. Responses to this survey will be used for continued vaccination distribution planning as Maryland moves through Phase 1 into Phase 2 and so forth. Responses to this survey do not entitle the entity to immediate vaccine deliveries.

 

For questions, please contact Ashley Duckman, Vice President of Government Affairs, at [email protected] or 410-269-0642, ext. 1112.

HOTEL AND LODGING GRANT APPLICATION

The Washington County Department of Business Development announces the application for the Hotel and Lodging Grant is now open. The application can be accessed by clicking the link below.

 

 

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, or until funds have been exhausted. 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 frequently asked questions.

 

The Hotel and Lodging Grant program will award a total of $581,461. The award amount will be determined based on the hotel room capacity. Criteria of grant qualifications include a minimum requirement of 10 sleeping rooms for a hotel establishment (hotel, motel, inn, lodging business) or a minimum of 5 sleeping rooms for a Bed and Breakfast. Hotel and lodging owners who have previously received a Washington County Rise Up Business Stabilization Grant are still eligible for the Hotel and Lodging Grant.

 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to email their completed application to [email protected] or to drop it off at the County Administration Building. Please be sure the application is fully complete, as only completed applications will be accepted and reviewed.

 

For specifics on terms and conditions of the grant program, please visit the Economic Recovery section at www.washcorises.net.

 

Please note any financial information shared as part of this application will remain confidential, but the names of businesses receiving grants and the amount they receive are public information.

 

For questions regarding eligibility criteria or required documentation, please email [email protected].

SDAT Reminds Businesses to Verify Good Standing Status, Prepares for 2021 Filing Season

 

The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) encourages business owners to look up their business’ status on Maryland Business Express to ensure they are in Good Standing with the state, and if not, to follow the steps in this Good Standing Checklist to avoid being forfeited. The Department also announced that its free 2021 Annual Report Extension System is live, which allows businesses to extend their filing deadline from April 15 to June 15, 2021.

UPCOMING WEBINARS

 

Monday, January 25, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Marketing 101

Presented by: Lennart Elmlund, LGE Designs International Corporation

In what ways is marketing different from sales? How can you get the most bang for your marketing dollar? What forms of marketing should you consider? These and many more questions will be discussed.

 

Tuesday, January 26, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Business Plan Basics & Capability Statements

Presented by: John Hickman, Eastern Region Director, Maryland Small Business Development Center and Arthenia LeFlore, Procurement Specialist, Maryland Procurement Technical Assistance Center

Learn the basic elements of a business plan and how to structure writing an effective plan to maximize your loan potential. Government contracting is a very competitive marketplace! Contractors must know how to distill the information that is most important to a particular decision-maker, state it in a clear concise manner and reinforce its importance to the prospect.

 

Wednesday, January 27, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Key Census Program and Tools for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners: A Strategic Approach

Presented by: Andrew Hait, Economic Management Division, U.S. Census Bureau

This webinar will provide an overview of key Census (and non-Census) demographic and business data programs that entrepreneurs and business owners can use to better understand their markets from the start-up phase to expansion considerations. Tune in for the interactive, live demo of the free Census Business Builder data tool that businesses can use to access these data.

 

Wednesday, January 27, 1-2:15 p.m.

Getting the Most from Your Web Presence and Development

Presented by: Ali Stamathis, Business Sustainability Center, Maryland SBDC

Join this session to gather helpful marketing tips to assess your digital footprint. We will identify what your web presence needs in order to be accessible and searchable to an online customer base. We will cover issues on how to identify your business needs on the web, and what you need to do to create next steps to achieve your digital goals. Ideas will assist you in thinking like a customer and making the most of your online efforts!

 

Thursday, January 28, 1-2:30 p.m.

Business Model Design Success in Uncertain Times

Presented by: Dr. Winsome Leslie, President and Ceo of DevSolutions Consulting

Entrepreneurs in the face of COVID19 must be agile to adapt and pivot in a situation of uncertainty. This presentation will describe these methods, with their emphasis on the client and on constant improvement and show participants how these tools are relevant in the current environment.

 

FREE NFIB Webinar: What You Need to Know on Applying for A Second (or initial) PPP Loan!

Don’t miss NFIB’s PPP and COVID-19 experts, Beth Milito and Holly Wade, as they go step-by-step on how to apply for a PPP loan:

 

 

Please submit your questions ahead of the webinar so we can make sure to answer them.

(If you have EIDL or Covid paid sick leave questions, we welcome them as well!)

 

NFIB’s On-Demand Webinars are available online, anytime. Browse our online library of free small business Webinars, from legal and tax advice to operations information, to help you run your business better.

 

WESTERN MARYLAND RETAIL RESILIENCY TRAINING SERIES

Below is information for the upcoming webinar series in January that the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering to businesses.

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.

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. 

CITY OF HAGERSTOWN

 

CDBG-CV CARES Act Funding Program Accepting Applications

City of Hagerstown Seeking Applications from City Public Service

In September 2020, the City of Hagerstown was awarded the second allocation of funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). This $274,365 allocation is in addition to the previous allocation of $472,845 awarded in March 2020. The purpose of this funding is to provide grants to local non-profits that must be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

The City of Hagerstown is accepting applications from qualified public service organizations that are able to serve residents in the prevention of, preparation for, and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike the first round of funding, any type of service activity is eligible to receive funding as long as the applying organization/program meets the following criteria: (1) applicant is a non-profit organization, (2) program/service primarily serves low-to-moderate income or high-risk residents, and (3) provides a service that prevents, prepares for, or responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The City of Hagerstown will be accepting applications for this funding until Friday, January 22, 2021. The funding application and guidelines can be accessed at https://www.hagerstownmd.org/1499/CDBG-CV-CARES-Act-Funding. 

 

The City will also be holding an information session on the application and the CDBG-CV CARES Act funding on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. Anyone interested in attending this event must register in advance online at https://www.hagerstownmd.org/1469/Community-Development-Block-Grant-Program.

 

Additional information on eligibility and HUD requirements can be found on the City’s website at the above link.

 

Any questions or concerns over the application can be directed to Mr. Jonathan Kerns, Community Development Manager, at [email protected] or 301-739-8577, ext. 134.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES, INFO & EVENTS

EMERGENCY SHELTER & EVICTION ASSISTANCE IN WASHINGTON COUNTY

If you or someone you know is in sudden need of shelter and/or eviction assistance as the rental moratorium comes to an end, please contact the resources listed on the poster below.

 

During the day, all individuals/families are being directed to the Community Action Council (CAC) and/or Reach. It is very important that people be directed to these agencies for appropriate assessment of all needs and eligible services. For immediate shelter at night; adult individuals are directed to the Reach Shelter. 

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.