February 26th, 2022 by WCBC Radio
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlined new metrics on Friday which emphasize not only case rates in a community but also hospital capacity in determining whether an area has a high, medium, or low COVID-19 Community Level. Different prevention steps are recommended based on an area’s COVID-19 Community Level. More than 70% of the U.S. population now falls in the low or medium classification. Currently, Allegany County is the only county in Maryland classified at a high COVID-19 community level. Garrett, Washington, Wicomoco, Somerset, and Worcester Counties are in the medium classification, while the remainder of the state is now consider to be in the low COVID-19 community level.
Prevention Steps by COVID-19 Community Level:
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LOW |
MEDIUM |
HIGH |
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· Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines · Get tested if you have symptoms
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· If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions · Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines · Get tested if you have symptoms
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· Wear a mask indoors in public · Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines · Get tested if you have symptoms · Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness
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For more information on COVID-19 Community Levels, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html.
The Allegany County Health Department 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 still required for the Moderna booster vaccine and individuals may schedule an appointment by visiting health.maryland.gov/allegany and clicking on the preferred clinic date.
The next youth Pfizer vaccine clinic (ages 5 to 11) isslated for Wednesday, March 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Willowbrook Office Complex at 12501 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland, MD. Appointments are required for that clinic and can be scheduled at health.maryland.gov/allegany.
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 FEBRUARY 24:
· New COVID Cases: 58 (cumulative total 16,915)
· Additional Deaths: 2(cumulative total 346)
· Cases Per 100,000 People: 31.04 (Maryland: 10.35)
· Positivity Rate:7.53% (Maryland: 2.78%)
Percentage of County Population Fully Vaccinated: 55.1%
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