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COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: June 10, 2020

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The Washington County, Maryland Joint Information Center (JIC) provides the following update regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
Due to the launch of covidLINK we are temporarily removing the COVID-19 dashboard for Washington County, MD. As soon as covidLINK is fully implemented in Washington County, MD we will go back to reporting detailed COVID-19 statistics as we always have. In the meantime, we will be sharing the statistics provided on the Maryland Department of Health website. We apologize for any confusion this change may have caused.
To learn more about covidLINK visit: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/contact-tracing
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 locations.
  • 6/12: Hancock- 126 W. High St. Hancock, MD 21750 from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
  • 6/19: Clear Spring- 12627 Broadfording Rd, Clear Spring, MD 21722 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  • 6/26: Sharpsburg – 104 S. Mechanic Street, Sharpsburg, MD 21782 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.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 be open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 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 now 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/
OUTPATIENT SERVICES RESUME NORMAL OPERATING HOURS
Meritus Medical Laboratory draw sites in two locations have resumed normal business hours. These include:
  • Meritus Medical Laboratory, Boonsboro, 20311 Lappans Road, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
  • Meritus Medical Laboratory @ Meritus Medical Plaza, 13620 Crayton Blvd., Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, 6 a.m.-noon beginning Saturday, June 13.
Additionally, Meritus Equipped for Life, 525 Dual Highway, has resumed to normal operating hours. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m-5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
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.
VIRTUAL VISITS CONNECT PATIENTS AND FAMILIES
Meritus Health is now offering virtual visits to connect patients in the hospital with their families and friends. To setup a virtual visit, please contact the program’s coordinator at 240-313-3163.
‘TOGETHER WE SERVE’ GRANT PROGRAM FOR NON-PROFITS IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The Washington County Office of Grant Management announces the Together We Serve grant program application is now open. This new grant program is created to assist local human-service providing non-profits in providing crucial services to County residents during the Covid-19 public health crisis.
The Together We Serve Grant will provide eligible non-profits up to $20,000 to assist them in meeting the increased needs for their services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Eligible uses of this funding include:
  • Provision of essential supplies and food
  • Costs of personal protective equipment for employees providing services
  • Costs associated with virtual delivery of services
  • Costs related to ensuring emergency and homeless shelters operate safely
  • Cost of temporary positions to meet increased demand for services
  • Eviction prevention and utility shut-off prevention programs
The application and grant guidelines are available at https://www.washco-md.net/grant-management/.  Applications will be reviewed and processed on a first-come first serve basis until funds are no longer available.
Please submit any questions regarding this opportunity to [email protected].
RISE UP BUSINESS STABILIZATION GRANT
The Washington County Department of Business Development, in partnership with the City of Hagerstown Department of Community and Economic Development, notifies local small businesses the application for the Rise Up Business Stabilization Grant is open. The application can be accessed by clicking here: RISE UP GRANT APPLICATION.
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 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.
For questions regarding eligibility criteria or required documentation, please email [email protected].
WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Visit www.hagerstown.org/rise for constantly updated resources and information to help you reopen your business, including the Back to Business Toolkit, 10 Things Businesses Should Do Now for Reopening, information on upcoming webinars and the MD Strong Back to Business Pledge that you can sign and post in your storefront!
Weiss Bros.: Clean Start Roadmap Offering Tools to Prepare Businesses for Reopening
The Chamber has partnered with Weiss Bros. to prepare for our eventual reopening. It’s an excellent tool for businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations also seeking ways to audit their own space efficiently and effectively.
TO sign up for an initial consultation, visit: https://form.jotform.com/201334199079156
INFORMATION FROM OUR LIQUOR BOARD ON EXPANDED OUTSIDE SEATING:
Effective May 27, 2020 following the Governor Hogan’s Speech, we are in the completion stage of Phase 1. With this change Restaurants, Bars, Social and Fraternal Clubs, can now serve food and beverages to customers for consumption in outdoor seating areas, with the approval of the Board. Licensed Establishments that already have existing patios or sidewalk café can use them, but you must follow the guidelines for social distancing stated forth by the Governor. Carryout/Curbside and deliveries are still also allowed.
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THE WASHINGTON COUNTY LIQUOR BOARD IS TEMPORARILY PERMITTING ALCOHOL AT OUTSIDE SEATING
You must submit your request with a drawing. Sketch, and photo(s) of the proposed outside seating area in relation to your licensed establishment for approval.
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Washington County Liquor Board
148 West Washington Street
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
(301) 797-4591
(301) 797-4599 (Fax)
Upcoming Webinars
Thursday, June 11th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Maryland SBDC Webinar: 10 Thing to Stabilize Your Business in the Time of Financial Uncertainty
In these times of uncertainty, do you know how to keep your business stable and ready to move forward? Join this webinar to learn ways ensure your business remains steadfast in such devastating times. Presenter, Bev Stitely, EA CTM Managing Partner, Saunders Tax and Accounting Certified Tax Master
Friday, June 12th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Maryland SBDC Webinar: 7 Steps to Marketing Success for Local Small Businesses During These Uncertain Times!
Free 7 Steps show you the must-have elements of success on the web. Build trust with your website, create great content, learn basic SEO, Social Media engagement, email marketing and Pay per click advertising. This is a great overview of what every small business should be working on to be successful particularly in these uncertain COVID-19 times! Presenter, Dennis Ottey, Dott Digital Marketing.
Attention Employers:
RISE UP Grant awards are beginning to roll out. Several businesses received notifications today of their awards with a check to come shortly. Please spread that word and let businesses know of this great opportunity. For specifics on terms and conditions of the grant program, please visit the Economic Recovery section at www.washcorises.net.
Visit www.washcorises.net to stay informed regarding the latest updates to the recovery and reopening in Washington County.
CITY OF HAGERSTOWN
Phased Reopening of City Buildings and Facilities
June 29:  The 1st floor of City Hall ONLY will reopen to the public. There will be 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.
Saturday Street Closure to Support Downtown Restaurants’ Outdoor Dining Efforts
At the direction of the City Council, in an effort to facilitate outdoor dining at restaurants while Maryland’s COVID-19 executive order is in effect, the first block of South Potomac Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic on the evening of Saturday, June 13th. Beginning at 3:00 PM on Saturday afternoon, South Potomac Street will be closed to traffic between Washington Street and Antietam Street.  It is anticipated that the street will be reopened to traffic by approximately 9:30 PM.
This is a great chance to enjoy some sit-down service from The Art Gastropub, 28 South, Bulls and Bears Pub and Eatery Hagerstown, C & O Taco with each respective restaurant enforcing their set of social distancing guidelines and safety practices. The Schmankerl Stube Bavarian Restaurant is reopening this Saturday too.
Be sure to take advantage of the opportunities to visit other nearby restaurants also offering outdoor seating, including The Gourmet Goat & GG’s Restaurant & Martini Bar less than half a block away on N. Potomac St., Salsa Mama Cantina on the square, and Pretzel and Pizza Creations Hagerstown may also be offering some outdoor seating this weekend just around the corner on Washington St.!
WCPS MEAL MACHINE SUMMER SCHEDULE
The graphic below displays the 2020 Summer Meal Machine schedule for Washington County, Maryland. Meals will be distributed on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursdays at the time indicated below.
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGING
The Maryland Department of Aging has implemented a new Caregiver Services Corps (CSC) for older adults aged 65 and above. The service is designed to quickly deploy volunteers to the homes of older adults who need urgent assistance with everyday tasks. It is meant to address pressing needs that are temporary, such as when an older adult determines they won’t have food to make it through the end of the week, or a family member who cares for their elderly loved one can’t check in on them the next day.
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
EDUCATION FOUNDATION SCHEDULES SHOE DRIVE
The Washington County Education Foundation is coordinating the Summer’s a Shoe-In collection of gently used shoes from Monday, June 15 through Friday, June 19, 2020. Drive-thru donations will be accepted at five high schools on Saturday, June 13 and Saturday, June 20. The Foundation is encouraging WCPS families who are returning school system-issued technology and wrapping up other end-of-year matters to consider a donation of shoes at schools throughout the county. Anyone else in the community is also welcome to make a contribution.
Drive-thru donations can be dropped off between 10:00 and noon on June 13 and June 20 at Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Hancock, Smithsburg and Williamsport high schools. From June 15 through 19, collection bins will be set up during school hours at Bester, Cascade, Eastern, Jonathan Hager, Maugansville, Pangborn, Pleasant Valley, Rockland Woods and Salem Avenue elementary schools, Northern Middle School, Barbara Ingram School for the Arts and Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Hancock, Smithsburg and Williamsport high schools. Donations will also be accepted that week at Hagerstown Community College and the Center for Education Services, 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown.
It’s another way the Education Foundation supports the students and families of Washington County Public Schools.
SCHOOL(S):
For additional information, please contact the Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380 or [email protected].
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We’ll keep the public informed of any changes. Stay updated by monitoring Washington County Government’s website and social media channels for the latest information. Your safety is our priority!