November 4th, 2020 by WCBC Radio
The Allegany County Health Department reports a surge in COVID-19 cases locally. Over the last seven days, Allegany County has seen 37.5 COVID cases per 100,000 population, the highest case rate of any jurisdiction in Maryland. The Maryland case rate stands at 14.2 cases per 100,000 population.
The growing number of Allegany County COVID-19 cases includes individuals in all age groups. Ninety new cases have been identified since Monday and the new cases include: four females and six males ages 12 and under, ten females and four males in their teens, three females and four males in their 20s, five females and nine males in their 30s, six females and three males in their 40s, four females and four males in their 50s, nine females and four males in their 60s, six females and one male in their 70s, and four females and four males in their 80s. These new COVID-19 cases bring the county total to 947 cases.
UPMC Western Maryland has reported to the Allegany County Health Department that it has seen an increased number of patients with COVID-19 in its urgent care clinics and in the emergency department, as well as a rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations.
As cases surge in our area, the Allegany County Health Department encourages all county residents to avoid gatherings, big or small. Residents should continue to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 including wearing a mask, social distancing, and practicing good hand hygiene.
The Allegany County Health Department and NORC at the University of Chicago are conducting contact tracing in Allegany County but are experiencing a large influx in cases so there may be some delays. Please assist in the community-wide contact tracing effort. If you test positive for COVID-19, reach out to your close contacts to let them know. If you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, quarantine for 14 days and watch for symptoms.
One of the most important steps you can take to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home if you are sick. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, stay away from others and contact your health care provider about COVID-19 testing. COVID-19 symptoms include: new loss of taste or smell, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
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