WCBC

The Allegany County Health Department reports that the county’s COVID-19 case rate and other markers continue to improve, coming more in-line with statewide figures.  As of March 10, the county COVID-19 case rate was 8.32 per 100,000 people, while the statewide average rate was 5.09 per 100,000.  County COVID positivity was 2.61%, close to Maryland’s 1.61% positivity.  In the reporting period between March 8 and March 10, only eight new COVID cases were identified in Allegany County, and there were no additional deaths reported.

“These statistics are very encouraging,” said ACHD Public Information Coordinator Brenda Caldwell.  “Currently, Allegany County remains in the CDC’s Medium COVID-19 Community Level.”  CDC COVID-19 community levels measure the impact of COVID-19 illness on health and healthcare systems.  Rankings are determined by a combination of metrics – new COVID cases, new COVID-19 hospital admissions, and the percent of hospital beds occupied by COVID patients.

Caldwell went on to say that, with the decline of COVID numbers in the county, the health department will be moving to weekly COVID-19 updates on Fridays beginning next week.

The Allegany County Health Department continues to offers free COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals ages 12 and older on Wednesdays at the Allegany County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  No appointment is needed for first and second doses of Moderna vaccine (age 18+) and first, second, and booster doses of Pfizer vaccine (age 12+).  Appointments are recommended for the Moderna booster vaccine and individuals may schedule an appointment by visiting health.maryland.gov/allegany and clicking on the preferred clinic date.

For assistance registering for an appointment, county residents can call the COVID-19 call center at 240-650-3999. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are also widely available at local pharmacies, urgent care clinics, and some primary care providers. 

Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing is still being offered at the Allegany County Fairgrounds (11400 Moss Ave., Cumberland) on Mondays from 2 to 7 p.m. and on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

ALLEGANY COUNTY COVID-19 DATA AS OF MARCH 10: