Allegany County moves from high to medium COVID-19 level
August 13 – CUMBERLAND, Maryland – While Allegany County dropped from high to medium on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Community Spread Index this week, the virus remains an ongoing threat to the public health, the agency said.
The CDC’s weekly update listed COVID-19 community levels as low in Garrett County and medium in Washington County.
“The rapid identification of emerging variants requiring a change in prevention strategy makes the continued detection, monitoring, and characterization of new SARS-CoV-2 variants essential,” the CDC said via press release. “Incorporating actions to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 into long-term sustainable routine practices is imperative for society and public health.”
When the COVID-19 community level is medium or high, people at high risk of becoming very ill should wear a properly fitted mask or respirator when indoors in public.
“If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk of becoming very ill, consider getting tested for infection before any contact and consider wearing a mask when you are indoors with them,” the CDC’s website said Friday.
State, local numbers
On Friday, the Maryland Department of Health reported 1,940 new cases of COVID-19, six additional deaths and seven more hospitalizations across the state.
The daily case rate of COVID-19 was 11.05% statewide, 15.07% in Allegany County, 14.17% in Garrett County, and 7.42% in Washington.
The seven-day rolling average rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people was 25.83 statewide, 39.76 in Allegany County, 17.23 in Garrett County and 29.04 in Washington County.
Higher Education
Frostburg State University updated its COVID-19 guidelines due to the declining community level of the virus this week, Nicole McDonald, the school’s assistant vice president, said Friday via email. for marketing and communications.
“As always, we encourage personal responsibility for your health and the safety of those around you,” she said. “You can learn more by visiting the CDC’s website. We will continue to monitor local health conditions, communicate with the Allegany County Health Department, and follow CDC recommendations.”
The Allegany College of Maryland no longer requires individuals to wear face masks indoors when other people are present.
“Although masks are optional at ACM, we still recommend using them during times of high transmission,” the ACM website said. “Some may choose to wear a mask on campus. Please be respectful of others with different opinions.”
For more information
To learn more about COVID-19 testing and vaccinations in Allegany County, call 240-650-3999 or visit health.maryland.gov/allegany/Pages/Home.aspx.
In Garrett County, call 301-334-7777 or 301-895-3111, or visit garretthealth.org.
Teresa McMinn is the digital editor of the Cumberland Times-News. She can be reached at 304-639-2371 or [email protected].
