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COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: May 22, 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
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says contact tracing is a core disease control measure that has been used by health department personnel for decades. Contact tracing is a key strategy for preventing further spread of COVID-19.
The CDC provides guidance and you can learn more by visiting https://bit.ly/2WY0YQN
WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Contact tracing is part of the 4 building blocks of public health response described by Governor Larry Hogan as critical in reopening Maryland. As Washington County has moved into Stage 1 of recovery the effective use of contact tracing is a critical step in decreasing the number of COVID-19 cases and breaking the chain of transmission. The Washington County Health Department has about 40 contact tracers and additional backups in order to efficiently track movements and locations of positive COVID-19 patients and notify all household and casual contacts of their exposure risk. If you receive a call or voicemail from The Washington County Health Department please pick up or give us a call back. We are calling to inform you that you or someone you have been in close contact with has contracted COVID-19.
What to Expect during your phone call with the health department:
We will ask you about:
  • Your health and symptoms
  • Locations you have been during a specific period of time
  • Names and contact information for any household and casual contacts (we do not disclose your name to anyone, only that they may have come into contact with an infected individual)
(Please be as specific as possible about the nature and location of your interaction with others)
We will NOT ask you about:
  • Social security number
  • Financial or bank account information
  • Immigration status
  • Personal details unrelated to COVID-19
For more information about contact tracing please visit https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/contact-tracing
MERITUS HEALTH
BLOOD DRIVE COMING THURSDAY, MAY 28th
With no known end date in the fight against coronavirus, the American Red Cross needs the help of blood and platelet donors and blood drive hosts to maintain a sufficient blood supply for weeks to come. Mitigation measures being taken at all blood drives help ensure blood recipient safety, as well as staff and donor safety in reducing contact with those who may potentially have this respiratory infection. Help keep hospital shelves stocked during this uncertain time by making an appointment for the next blood drive being hosted in this community: Thursday, May 28, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Robinwood Professional Center’s atrium (Blue entrance). Appointments are required and can be made at RedCrossBlood.org under the search term “Robinwood.”
COVID-19 SCREENING CENTERS CLOSED MEMORIAL DAY MONDAY, MAY 25; WILL REOPEN NORMAL HOURS TUESDAY
Click on the map to right to access the closest COVID-19 testing site.
COVID-19 testing is now available to 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. Testing is now 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.
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.
WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Memorial Day Meal Site Schedule:
In observation of the Memorial Day holiday, the community meal sites will not be operating on Monday, May 25. The meal sites will be open instead on Tuesday, May 26. For a list of locations, visit: https://www.smore.com/2kzds.
End of School Year Updates:
Washington County Public Schools is sharing information with families regarding how the school year will come to a close during distance learning.
Find out about:
  • Marking period 4 grades and a timeline for final grades and report cards
  • Eligibility for fall extracurricular activities
  • Summer school
  • Process for picking up student personal belongings and returning school items
The last day of distance learning for students is Wednesday, June 10, 2020.
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!
The Chamber is focusing on ways that we can lead the way with recovery efforts for businesses. Please watch the video below to see how the Chamber is preparing to safely return to the office.
Chamber Prepares to Reopen Safely!
Upcoming Webinars
NFIB Free Webinar: Small Business and COVID-19: PPP Loan Forgiveness Explained and Other Questions Answered
Attention Employers:
  • Visit www.washcorises.net to stay informed regarding the latest updates to the recovery and reopening in Washington County.
  • The U.S. Chamber published a new Paycheck Protection Program Guide to Forgiveness. Like previous guides, this document provides businesses with an easy to understand explanation of what they need to do to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans. Click here to download the guide. Please note, this guide will be updated as new guidance is issued by the Dept. of the Treasury.
  • The U.S. Chamber published a “Sample Action Flyer” that will allow any type of business to easily create a customized flyer to communicate and post the steps they are taking towards the fight against COVID-19. It allows a business to easily customize the flyer with a logo and contact number. Click here to download the flyer.
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
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY – RESTORE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
ReStore needs YOU! ReStore is searching for volunteers to help prepare the store for reopening. There are 10 volunteer slots to fill next week on Wednesday, Thursday, and/or Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. If you can help, please send a Facebook message to Jessica via the ReStore Facebook page or email at [email protected].
WASHINGTON COUNTY FARM BUREAU TO HOLD FREE MILK DISTRIBUTION
The Washington County Department of Business Development announces theWashington County Farm Bureau will be distributing free milk to the community on Saturday, May 23, 2020.
The milk distribution will be held in the parking lot adjacent to the Washington County Transit Transfer Center located at 123 Franklin St, Hagerstown, MD. The hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or until 2,100 gallons of milk have been distributed. This new location allows for easier access to those that may reside in Hagerstown, as the distribution point is now within walking distance of downtown.
The Washington County Farm Bureau is dedicated to this community along with the agricultural community and local dairy farms. Your support is greatly appreciated. If you would like to make a monetary donation to the FREE MILK initiative, please contact Matt Schnebly at 717-360-4699. Please direct any questions to Leslie Hart or Matt Schnebly.
For additional information, please contact the Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380 or [email protected].
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