COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: May 5, 2020

Posted: May 5, 2020

Coronavirus, Daily COVID-19 Briefings

The Washington County, Maryland Joint Information Center (JIC) provides the following update regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click here to receive Washington County daily briefings delivered to your inbox.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

Earlier today, the VEIP site at 12100 Insurance Way in Hagerstown, opened as a drive thru testing site for COVID-19. Tests will be offered on an appointment-only basis to Maryland residents who are symptomatic and at high risk for complications from COVID-19. Patients must have a health care provider order and an appointment to take a test at a VEIP site. Testing will be conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Health Officer Earl Stoner said, “As we continue responding to this pandemic, additional testing capacity is critical to keeping County residents safe. We are proud to partner with the State of Maryland to support and expand COVID-19 testing in our community. The new testing site gives us the capacity to perform significantly more tests in the County, a necessary condition for opening back up.”

WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The Washington County Health Department in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Health and other partners will be coordinating the Hagerstown VEIP COVID-19 drive thru testing site. The VEIP testing site is located at 12100 Insurance Way in Hagerstown. Tests will be offered on an appointment-only basis to Maryland residents who are symptomatic and at high risk for complications from COVID-19. Patients must have a health care provider order and an appointment to take a test at this VEIP site. If you currently do not have a doctor or health insurance the Community Free Clinic and Family Healthcare of Hagerstown are accepting new patients and a sliding fee-scale for payment. The Maryland Health Connection is also holding a special enrollment period for people to sign up for health insurance.

MERITUS HEALTH

COVID-19 TESTING EXPANDS FOR COMMUNITY

Click on the map to right to access the closest COVID-19 testing site.

COVID-19 testing is now available to anyone showing symptoms as designated by the CDC – Fever greater than 100.5 degrees and/or a dry cough, shortness of breath or sore throat. No appointments or referrals are needed to be tested. Testing is now available for all ages.Testing is 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.

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

WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Class of 2020 has endured some of our nation’s greatest challenges – born into a time when our country was grieving the September 11th tragedy and now graduating during a global pandemic. Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) is committed to celebrating the Class of 2020 in the best way possible under the current circumstances.

WCPS is moving forward with plans for three potential ceremonies:

Traditional graduation
An in-person graduation with students only that will be live-streamed
Virtual graduation

In this update, you will find more information about:

Graduation schedules
Traditional graduation
Live-stream graduation
Virtual graduation
Decision date
Senior celebration ceremonies
Next steps

Graduation Schedules

All WCPS graduations will be held the week of June 15, 2020. The decision to move graduations two weeks later than originally scheduled will allow more time in case the Governor’s orders regarding COVID-19 health precautions. Such changes may allow for large events, such as hosting over 2,000 guests without the need for social distancing.

We understand the inconvenience of this date change as well as the implications for those with jobs, military training, and college or travel plans. However, please keep in mind that WCPS wants to provide a greater opportunity for the majority of graduates to experience a graduation ceremony if possible.

Click HERE for full update.

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. When safe to do so, we pledge to follow Maryland’s executive orders while rallying behind re-opening efforts while advocating for guidelines that benefit you during this impending comeback phase.

Upcoming Webinars

Wednesday, May 6th, 11:00 a.m.

AAFB & Planit Present: The New Normal? – Communicating in the Age of COVID-19

What: When COVID-19 hit the United States, brands scrambled to respond.While some brands are still scrambling, after nearly two months of quarantine, many are also asking what’s next.How do we continue to respond? Or should we stop responding? When do we return to regularly scheduled communication plans?Join AAF Baltimore and Planit for a webinar discussing the current media landscape, messages consumers want to hear, crisis communications strategies to implement right now and more.

Wednesday, May 6th, 12:00 p.m.

Webinar: Compliance Matters: Layoffs, Furloughs, and Recalls (and COVID-19 Update) – hosted by THINK HR

A top concern of HR departments is how to effectively manage layoffs, furloughs, and recalls as a result of the pandemic. Kara Govro, Senior Legal Editor, addresses the compliance aspects of layoffs, furloughs, and recalls to help employers navigate these difficult decisions. During this 60-minute informational webinar, Kara will also answer your live HR questions about COVID-19 related issues impacting your small business. Click here to register.

Can’t make the live webinar? Register here, and we’ll send you a recording.

Wednesday, May 6^th, 12:00 p.m.

NFIB Webinar: “Getting Back to Business — COVID-19 Financial & Workplace Safety Updates”

Please join Holly Wade, Director, NFIB Research & Policy Analysis, and Beth Milito, Senior Executive Counsel, for NFIB’s weekly webinar briefing where they will focus on considerations you will face as the country reopens for business.

How to ensure full PPP loan forgiveness
How to take advantage of tax provisions that can slash your tax burden
How to develop a workplace safety plan to minimize risk of coronavirus spread
How to get reluctant employees back to work

The webinar will also provide participants the opportunity to anonymously ask their most pressing questions. Can’t make this Webinar? Don’t worry! Register Now and they’ll email you an on-demand version!

Thursday, May 7th, 1:00 p.m.

Washington Co. Chamber Webinar: Teleconference Etiquette and Making the Most of Webinars” – featuring Kelsi Palmer, CEO Kite & Anchor

If nothing else, this COVID-19 pandemic has changed the ways we communicate. The ways we communicate with our family, our friends, and our colleagues. By now, we’ve likely seen first-hand how different generations grapple with this new way of meeting. Ensure your team of hard, dedicated workers are all on the same page when it comes to etiquette:

What to wear when appearing on-camera
When to mute your microphone
How to make the most out of a webinar or a teleconference
How to take effective notes while participating
How to ensure you’re creating an educational event

FREE Registration for Chamber Members – $5 Registration for Non-Members

Friday, May 8th, 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.

Free Webinar: “Cleaning For The Restart – How To Reopen And Be Safe” hosted by WEISS BROS.

Join ISSA Certified Trainer Steve Johnson for a free webinar to discuss the following tips around cleaning:

CDC Guidelines
Touch Points
Dwell Time
2 Step Cleaning Process
Cleaning Schedule
Cleaning vs Disinfecting vs Sanitizing
Tools to Use
Electrostatic Sprayers
Supplies – Availability and Providing to Others
And More

Wednesday, May 13th, 11:00 a.m.

AAFB & Planit Present: The New Normal? – Communicating in the Age of COVID-19

When COVID-19 hit the United States, brands scrambled to respond. While some brands are still scrambling, after nearly two months of quarantine, many are also asking what’s next. How do we continue to respond? Or should we stop responding? When do we return to regularly scheduled communication plans? Join AAF Baltimore and Planit for a webinar discussing the current media landscape, messages consumers want to hear, crisis communications strategies to implement right now and more.

Attention Employers:

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program reopened today on the SBA’s website (https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/economic-injury-disaster-loan-emergency-advance). At this time, they are just accepting new applications from the Agriculture sector. However, they are processing the existing applications they received from other business sectors in the first round of funding. We are anticipating they will reopen for new applications should more federal funding become available in the next round federal assistance expected sometime in May.

The CDC has a lot of information regarding the “Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes”. This guidance is intended for all Americans, whether you own a business, run a school, or want to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your home. Helpful documents include:

This plan is part of the larger United States Government plan and focuses on cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and can also be applied to your home. Cleaning and disinfecting public spaces including your workplace, school, home, and business will require you to:

Develop your plan
Implement your plan
Maintain and revise your plan

RURAL MARYLAND COUNCIL GRANT INFORMATION WEBINARS

The Rural Maryland Council will conduct two virtual information sessions to review program guidelines and criteria for the Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) and the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) for FY2021 as well as answer questions from participants.

Webinar Date:

Friday, May 8^th 10:00 to 11:00am

Log-in information can be found on the Council’s website at

rural.maryland.gov. Individual appointments will also be available during the week of May 11, 2020. Please contact the RMC office at [email protected] to schedule an appointment.

HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Hagerstown Community College has announced that its summer College for Kids program is moving online, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“While we hoped to see children’s smiling faces on campus this summer, our first priority is to ensure the health and wellbeing of all our campers, instructors, volunteers, and staff,” said Jenna Lamblin, CFK manager. “Our second priority is bringing fun, educational camps right into the home, through online programming.”

Registrations for in-person camps will be canceled and refunded in the coming weeks. Visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/kids for online camp and registration information. Space will be limited for the online programs.

Questions can be sent via email to [email protected].

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 INFORMATION & RESOURCES

FREE MILK DISTRIBUTION ON GIVING TUESDAY

The Washington County Farm Bureau partnered with Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative on Giving Tuesday to provide a tractor trailer load of fresh milk from Washington County dairy producers to those in our community who need it most. This event took place at the Valley Mall Parking Lot located outside of JCPenny. Approximately 2,100 gallons of free milk was distributed, with each vehicle receiving one free gallon of milk.

For more information, please contact the Washington County Farm Bureau email at [email protected].