COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: July 2, 2020

Posted: July 2, 2020

Daily COVID-19 Briefings

COVID-19 JOINT INFORMATION CENTER BRIEFING

July 2, 2020

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 will be updated Monday-Friday**

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

As we enter into a holiday weekend, all citizens are reminded to use precautions to continue the fight against COVID-19. There are several firework displays happening across the County this weekend. We encourage anyone attending a large outdoor gathering to maintain proper social distancing of at least 6 feet, wash hands, and wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible. Face masks are still required at all locations listed below.

As a reminder, per the Face Covering Order, face coverings are required in the following locations:

Retail Establishments
Food-service Establishments
Public Transportation
Personal Services
Youth Camps
Swimming Pools (when possible)
Sporting Events (when possible)

Lets continue to work together as we stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The Washington County Health Department is expanding free COVID-19 testing to vulnerable and hard to reach populations in Washington County. The health department is working with local towns and communities all over the county to bring mobile walk-in testing sites right to the local residents. Testing as these sites will be open to everyone and you do not need a doctors referral or an appointment to participate. The tests used are the quick nasal swap that takes about 15 seconds to administer. Please follow social distancing and masking guidelines when participating at these sites.

At this time we have scheduled free COVID-19 testing at the following location.

7/17: Boonsboro – 241 Potomac Street, Boonsboro, MD 21713 from 8:00-11:00 a.m.
7/24: Smithsburg – 68 W Water Street, Smithsburg, MD 21783 from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

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

MERITUS HEALTH DRIVE-THRU SCREENING CENTER

The drive-thru screening center for COVID-19 testing will begin summer hours with the start of this weekend’s Independence Day. Hours will be Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The drive-thru screening center will no longer be open on weekends. 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. There is no cost to the patient.

COVID-19 ANTIBODY TESTING NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Antibody testing is available to the general public at all Meritus Medical Laboratory patient service centers. A lab order from a person’s primary care provider is required in order to have a COVID-19 antibody test. Antibody tests do not take the place of COVID-19 screening tests. Insurance or patients will be billed for antibody testing. Meritus Medical Laboratory locations and hours are available online at https://www.meritushealth.com/treatment-care/medical-lab/

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

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.

RISE UP BUSINESS STABILIZATION GRANT – DEADLINE EXTENDED!

The deadline for the Rise Up Business Stabilization Grant has been extended until Tuesday, July 14, 2020. This grant encourages small businesses in Washington County, Maryland that meet the criteria to submit an application. Grant applications are accepted and funds are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2020.

The application can be accessed by clicking here: RISE UP GRANT APPLICATION.

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.

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

WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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

Washington County Back to Business Posters – As businesses continue to reopen in Washington County, local business owners are encouraged to print out the documents below and post on your door or storefront. This will let customers know your business is taking precautions for them to receive the best service while maintaining health and safety standards. Click the graphics below to download and print.

Back to Business Toolkit
10 Things Businesses Should Do Now for Reopening
MD Strong Back to Business Pledge (please sign and post in your storefront)
Rise Up Washington County Business Stabilization Grant – DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JULY 14TH – APPLY ONLINE NOW AT www.washcorises.net – Up to $10,000 for businesses under 50 employees and $5M in sales

Attention Employers:

Help Us Continue On Our Path to Reopen Washington County – 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 event 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.

Do you know a Washington County business that is going above and beyond to keep customers safe and healthy during COVID-19? Washington County Government is looking to highlight local businesses that are getting creative and using best business practices to maintain a safe and healthy environment as they return to business.

Nominations can be made at https://www.washco-md.net/together/.

Pictures and videos are encouraged with submission.

Together We Rise Business Spotlight’s will be featured on Washington County Government social media channels and website.

CITY OF HAGERSTOWN

Phased Reopening of City Buildings and Facilities

The 1^st floor of City Hall ONLY is now open to the public. There is no access to the upper floors of City Hall unless by appointment. The 2nd floor public restroom will not be accessible.

July 7: Mayor & City Council Work Session will take place in Council Chamber, City Hall—the first since March 10. Members of the media and the public will be permitted to attend in accordance with whatever the prevailing capacity guidelines at the time.

July 13: All City facilities will be reopened to the public, including all floors and the public restroom of City Hall.

The public will be required to wear a mask when conducting business in City facilities. Hand sanitizer will be accessible and masks will be available to those who need one.

The City has gone to great lengths to protect employees the last several months from this virus. Plexiglass panels, where barriers between staff and those doing business did not previously exist, have been installed. Signage and social distancing markers will be posted in the City Hall lobby and other areas where business is conducted and visitation occurs. All measures will be monitored and are subject to change.

HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT

Effective July 2, 2020, Allegiant will require customers to wear a face covering at all times while traveling – including at the ticket counter, in the hold room/gate area and during boarding, as well as during the flight.

WASHINGTON COUNTY TRANSIT

Washington County Transit announces it will be returning to regular service beginning Monday, July 6, 2020. During COVID-19, transit was operating on a modified scheduled of Monday – Friday, 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Returning to regular service means transit will resume operating on evenings and Saturdays.

Masks are required on public transportation.

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

COVID-19 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND ANNOUNCES 5TH CYCLE GRANT RECIPIENTS

The Washington County COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund, a campaign organized by the Community Foundation and United Way of Washington County, Maryland, announces the fifth cycle of grant recipients.

Grants totaling $65,459 were funded to the following eleven agencies:

Community Free Clinic
Discovery Station
Girls Inc.
Potomac Case Management
Reach of Washington County
Rehoboth UMC
Robert W. Johnson Memorial Center
San Mar
The Salvation Army
Together With Families
Washington County Fellowship of Christian Athletes

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
Washington County Commission on Aging

The second disbursement of grants was announced on April 27^th. Grants totaling $50,540 were funded to ten different agencies:

Children in Need, Community Free Clinic
GateKeepers
Girls Inc.
Horizon Goodwill Industries
HCC Foundation
Potomac Case Management
Tabitha’s Table
University System of Maryland
Hagerstown YMCA

The third disbursement of grants was announced on May 12th. Grants totaling $30,905 were funded to six different agencies:

Brook Lane, Boys & Girls Club
Doleman Black Heritage Museum
Girls Inc.
OnTrack of Washington County
Washington County Commission on Aging

The fourth disbursement of grants was announced on May 26^th. Grants totaling $27,500 were funded to five different agencies:

Breast Cancer Awareness – Cumberland Valley
For Our City – Hagerstown
Mediation First
The Maryland Theatre
The Arc of Washington County

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 current amount of funds raised for Washington County COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund is over $300,000. To date, approximately $225,000 has been awarded to 30 different agencies.

All funds raised will support Washington County community-based organizations and partners who directly help those adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis. In the weeks and months ahead, the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund will provide additional capacity to community-based organizations in Washington County. 0% of donations are distributed appropriately throughout the community.

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.