By Garrett County Joint Information Center Team
Garrett County leads the state in the 7-day positivity rate with 15.3% compared to the state rate of 7.5%. The county 7-day case rate per 100,000 is 71.4 compared to the state rate of 45.8.
The total positive COVID-19 tests for Garrett County residents is 1,292, with 52 new cases being added
since the last report on Monday, December 14th. The total county deaths due to COVID-19 or its complications is now 28, an increase of 8. The age range of the 28 local deaths is from 59 to 99.
“We want to extend our condolences to everyone who is experiencing sickness and the loss of loved ones during this pandemic,” said Garrett County Health Officer Bob Stephens. “The numbers of illnesses and deaths are individual people, and are not just numbers to us. We are asking everyone to follow the recommended safety precautions and to do whatever they can to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on everyone.”
Contact tracers are having a hard time keeping up with the large number of cases across the state. If you test positive for COVID-19, immediately begin to isolate for at least 10 days from the date of the test. Increase your isolation days until you are fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever reducing medication.
Then, do your part by notifying your close contacts that they should immediately begin quarantining. A close contact is anyone who was closer to you than 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes within a 24 hours period - with or without a mask.
To do your own contact tracing:
- Make a list people you were in close contact with
- Your list should begin two days before the day your symptoms began, or two days before the day you tested positive, whichever is longest
- Contact these people and ask them to immediately begin to quarantine for 14 days from the last day they had close contact with you
If you think you are a close contact:
- Quarantine yourself for 14 days from the last exposure
- If you live with that person and they cannot isolate from you, continue your quarantine for 14 days after their isolation is over
“If you know for certain you have been exposed, quarantine yourself whether or not you get a call,” said Dr. Jennifer Corder, Deputy Health Officer for Garrett and Allegany Counties. “And, if you know you are positive, isolate whether or not you have symptoms. It's time for everyone to do the responsible thing. Contact tracing, isolation and quarantine are key elements of mitigation, and everyone needs to be knowledgeable, responsible, and take this seriously. The health department will continue to work tirelessly with case investigations and contact tracing.”
Note: Testing at the Garrett County Community COVID-19 testing site at the MEDCO building at the McHenry Business Park is canceled for Thursday, December 17th due to inclement weather and safety concerns. Persons who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms may call 301-334-7697 to schedule a test at the Garrett County Health Department office in Oakland. The next COVID-19 testing event at the McHenry site will be on Tuesday, December 22nd from 9 am - 12:30 pm. Please visit garretthealth.org for additional testing information.
Additional COVID-19 resources:
- Visit garretthealth.org for the most up-to-date COVID-19 information.
- To schedule an Influenza vaccination, call the Health Department at 301-334-7697.
- For all other COVID-19 related questions, or to report a COVID-19 compliance issue, call the local COVID-19 Hotline number at 301-334-7698.
