By Garrett County Joint Information Center Team
The Garrett County Health Department continues to conduct COVID-19 vaccinations and testing. At this time, Garrett County is showing 27.5% of residents have received at least one dose of vaccine, the positivity rate is 2.91%, the case rate is 6.4, there is a cumulative total of 1,906 cases, and 61 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19 or its complications.
Case rates across Maryland have been on the increase. Surveillance testing has revealed that there is a sharp increase in cases from the B117 (Great Britain) strain of the virus. Vaccines have proven to be effective against this more contagious strain of the virus.
This week, Maryland’s vaccination eligibility opened to persons who are classified as Phase 2B, which includes residents age 16 and older with underlying medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19 illness. Eligibility does not expire, so persons in any of Phase 1 (including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities) as well as those in Phase 2A, remain eligible to schedule appointments when they are available.
The Health Department is generating invitations through the scheduling software for persons who have expressed their desire to be vaccinated by filling out a Garrett County COVID-19 Vaccination Interest Form. The email does not come from the Health Department – the sender is Vaccination Clinics (no-reply@multistatep4p.com) and the subject will say “COVID-19 Registration Invitation.” Please open the email and click on the link to schedule your appointment. It is important to schedule quickly, because sometimes the available clinic is within days.
The Garrett County COVID-19 Vaccination Interest Form is available at garretthealth.org and can be filled out by anyone living in Garrett County and wishing to receive the COVID-19. The form may be filled out by any Garrett County resident, regardless of their current qualification status. For those unable to access the interest form, call 301-334-7698 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for assistance. Filling out an interest form does not create an appointment, but will generate an invitation when vaccine is available for you.
Interested persons may also pre-register online for vaccinations at one of Maryland’s six mass vaccination sites. To pre-register go to covidvax.maryland.gov or call the state’s COVID-19 vaccination support center at 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829). Pre-registering does not create an appointment, but you will be notified to schedule your vaccination when it is your turn. The Western Maryland mass vaccination site, located in Hagerstown at the Prime Outlets, opened up last week.
The supply of vaccine is increasing, but it may still take some time before you are contacted after filling out an interest form in Garrett County or a pre-registration form for the mass vaccination sites
COVID-19 testing continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the MEDCO Building in the McHenry Business Park. Pre-registration is recommended. Visit garretthealth.org for more information. This testing is for persons with or without symptoms.
For COVID-19 related questions, or to report a COVID-19 compliance issue, call the local COVID-19 Hotline number at 301-334-7698.
