By Garrett County Joint Information Center Team
The Garrett County Health Department received four additional positive COVID-19 results, bringing the current county total positives to 107.
The new positive COVID-19 cases are a male and a female in their 30s, and a male and a female in their 60s. All of the individuals are being advised to isolate at home or to seek immediate medical attention based on their signs and symptoms.
Garrett County currently has 24 persons isolating due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, including
one person who is hospitalized.
“Please continue to practice social distancing and wear face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Jennifer Corder, Deputy Health Officer in Garrett and Allegany Counties. “Contact tracing continues to reveal that the current surge in cases in Garrett County is primarily being spread through gatherings among families, friends, and worshipers.”
“As COVID-19 cases continue to increase in Garrett County, it is important that we know about the virus, how it spreads, and how to protect ourselves,” Corder said.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, so the best way to prevent the illness is to avoid being exposed to it. The virus is spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. The virus is an aerosol and can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
Wash Hands Frequently: Everyone should wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or using the restroom. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact: Inside your home, avoid close contact with people who are sick. If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members. Outside your home, keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household. It is safest to avoid crowded places and gatherings where it may be difficult to stay at least 6 feet away from others who are not from your household.
Wear a mask or face covering: Cover your mouth and nose with a mask or face covering when around others. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick. The mask is meant to protect other people in case you are infected. Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The mask is not a substitute for social distancing.
However, masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water or clean your hands with a hand sanitizer.
Clean and Disinfect: Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. Then, use a household disinfectant.
Monitor Your Health Daily: Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19. Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet. Take your temperature if symptoms develop. Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen. Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
Protect Your Health This Flu Season: It’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter. Healthcare systems could be overwhelmed treating both patients with flu and patients with COVID-19. This means getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 is more important than ever.
While getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, there are many important benefits. Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death. Getting a flu vaccine can also save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.
For more information call 301-334-7770 or 301-895-3111.
