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Allegany County has highest COVID-19 Case Rate in Maryland

September 15th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

The Allegany County Health Department reports that the Allegany County COVID-19 case rate is currently 64.92 cases per 100,000 population, the highest case rate of any jurisdiction in Maryland. 

​"Because our vaccination rate is so low, our county has the highest COVID-19 case rate in the state. Do your part to allow Allegany County to move back towards normalcy. We need our children to attend school and play sports, we need our businesses to be successful and we need health care workers to staff our hospital and medical offices.​  Vaccination is safe, effective, and the best way to turn this around," said Dr. Jennifer Corder, Medical Deputy Health Officer for Allegany and Garrett counties.  ​ 

“Vaccination is the absolute best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.  Vaccines are available throughout our county at pharmacies, urgent care clinics, pediatric offices, the health department, and some primary care providers. We strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated to protect themselves and those around them,” said Jenelle Mayer, Allegany County Health Officer.  

The Allegany County Health Department continues to offer free, walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations on Wednesdays at 12501 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland.  From 9 a.m. to 12 noon, both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines are offered.  From 1 to 5:30 p.m., the Pfizer vaccine is offered for those age 12 and older.  Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. 

As of September 14, 43.3% of Allegany County residents were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, compared to 63.1% of all Marylanders. 

Drive-thru testing continues to be offered three days per week at the Allegany County Fairgrounds, 11400 Moss Avenue, Cumberland, MD.  Testing clinics are held Mondays from 2 to 7 p.m., and Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  No appointment is needed, but pre-registration is strongly encouraged to minimize wait times at the clinic.  You can pre-register for testing by going to health.maryland.gov/allegany and clicking on the pre-registration link under “COVID-19 Information” on the right side of the page.

Allegany County COVID-19 Case Statistics as of September 14:

  • New COVID Cases:  157 (cumulative total 8,284)
  • Additional Deaths:  1 (cumulative total 221)
  • Cases Per 100,000 Population:  64.92 (Maryland: 19.78)
  • Positivity Rate:  11.55% (Maryland: 4.54%)