Protecting the Public

Worcester County, MD Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information 2020

This website provides up-to-date information about the Worcester County Health Department's response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. For more information on Coronavirus in Maryland, call 2-1-1.

To view Maryland's COVID-19 Case Count visit https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/.

The data below was last updated on November 24, 2020, at 11:50 am based on the latest available data from coronavirus.jhu.edu & coronavirus.maryland.gov. Note this data is retroactive to the day before.

Where can I find COVID-19 testing in and around Worcester County?

Click the image below for testing locations and contact information

Effective Friday, September 4, 2020, the state of Maryland entered into Stage Three of the ‘Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery,’ with additional safe and gradual reopenings.

Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery (UPDATE NOVEMBER 17, 2020)

Maryland took early, aggressive, and unprecedented actions to contain and slow the spread of COVID-19. Thanks to these efforts, and the incredible sacrifices of Marylanders who stayed home and practiced physical distancing, we have successfully flattened and lengthened the curve.

The “Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery” has been developed based on the recovery plans issued by the federal government, the National Governors Association, and premier institutions like Johns Hopkins and the American Enterprise Institute; shaped by the expert advice of the scientists and public health officials on Maryland’s Coronavirus Response Team, and tailored to our situation here in Maryland. The result is a responsible, gradual, safe path forward for our state.

Read the Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery here.

Maryland Takes Action to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
With Maryland’s positivity rate exceeding 5% for the first time since June and health metrics spiking across the nation, Governor Hogan announced on November 17 a series of actions to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Indoor dining. The governor issued an emergency order reducing indoor operations for bars and restaurants from 75% to 50%, effective November 11 at 5 p.m. bars and restaurants are permitted to be open for seated and distanced service only, with strict capacity restrictions. Effective November 20 at 5 p.m. bars, restaurants, and venues serving food and alcohol must close between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., except for carryout and delivery.

Indoor gatherings. With contact tracing data showing an uptick in cases resulting from family gatherings and house parties, state health officials have issued a public health advisory strongly discouraging indoor gatherings of 25 people or more. The capacity for retail and religious facilities will be reduced by 50%, in line with indoor dining, personal services, and indoor recreation.

Travel advisory. Marylanders are strongly advised against traveling to any state with a positivity rate above 10% or any state with average case rates above 20 per 100K. Anyone traveling from these states should get tested and self-quarantine while awaiting results. This applies to personal, family, or business travel of any kind. Marylanders are advised to postpone or cancel travel to these areas until their positivity and/or case rates decline.

Telework. Governor Hogan has directed the Maryland Department of Budget and Management to immediately execute a period of mandatory telework across state agencies, except for essential direct public-facing services and other essential personnel. State officials strongly encourage all businesses to take immediate steps to expand telework.
Hospital surge capacity. State health officials have issued an emergency order expanding hospital surge capacity that provides state EMS officials with the flexibility to shift patients to alternate care sites and to add capacity at those sites if the need arises.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Indoor visitation at nursing homes will be significantly limited. Visitors must have proof of a negative test within 72 hours. Staff should minimize their contact with large gatherings and communicate early and often about infection control issues at their facilities. Indoor visitation is not permitted if the facility is currently conducting outbreak testing and in accordance with federal guidance on this subject.

Up-to-date information about the Hogan administration’s ongoing response to COVID-19 is available at https://governor.maryland.gov/coronavirus/.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a respiratory virus. This is a virus that hasn’t caused illness in humans before. COVID-19 is spread just like colds or flu through coughing and sneezing, which creates respiratory droplets, close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands, or touching an object or surface with the virus on it.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
In more severe cases, pneumonia (infection in the lungs)

Individual risk is dependent on exposure. Current risk assessment:

People in communities where ongoing community spread with the virus that causes COVID-19 has been reported are at elevated risk of exposure.
Healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure.
Close contacts of persons with COVID-19 also are at elevated risk of exposure.
Travelers returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring also are at elevated risk of exposure.
If you are sick, call your provider to discuss your symptoms before you walk-in to a doctor's office.

July 29, 2020 - Marylanders are strongly advised to postpone or cancel travel to states with positivity rates greater than 10%, which now include Florida, Texas, Georgia, Lousiana, Arizona, Alabama, South Carolina, Nebraska, and Idaho.

For people who are ill with diagnosed COVID-19 or seasonal influenza, please follow CDC guidance on how to reduce the risk of spreading your illness to others. Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick. Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. Cloth face coverings 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. The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected. Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker. Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

What You Can Do to Protect from Infectious Disease?

It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season and CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine, taking everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed. Preventing viral respiratory infections. Protect yourself from getting sick.

How can I protect myself from COVID-19?

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home while you are sick.
Avoid close contact with others.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.

How do I get my test results from CIAN Labs?

After your specimen has been collected it is shipped to the lab. The lab receives your specimen the morning after it’s collected and it takes approximately 48 hours for your results to be ready for viewing. For additional questions, please call 240-396-4343. Video tutorials for accessing results can be found at www.CIANDX.com.

Follow steps below:
Step One: Visit GO.CIANDX.COM/RESULTS
Step Two: Register and create an account
Step Three: Check the email you used for the activation code. Please click the activation code sent to your email.
Step Four: Activate your account by entering your birthday, username, zip code and password.
Step Five: Login to Lifepoint after successfully activating your account.
Step Six: Once logged in, you can see your results.

High-Risk Conditions

COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Based upon available information to date, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include:

People aged 65 years and older.
People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma.
People who have heart disease with complications.
People who are immunocompromised including cancer treatment.
People of any age with severe obesity (body mass index [(BM]I)≥40) or certain underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease might also be at risk.
People who are pregnant should be monitored since they are known to be at risk with severe viral illness, however, to date data on COVID-19 has not shown increased risk.

Where can I go for more information?

The Worcester County Health Department (WCHD) has a call center operating Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm with staff available to answer questions. To reach the center call 410-632-1100 option #8. WCHD also operates an automated public information line 24/7 with messaging about COVID-19 (410-632-4321). Visit WorcesterHealth.org for up-to-date facts and information on COVID-19 locally. Follow @WorcesterHealth on Facebook and other social media for emerging updates.

COVID-19 Public Health Activities

What Businesses and Governments Can do to Prepare

Ways to cope with stress

Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.

Recovery and Wellness Support Resources for the COVID-19 Outbreak

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) continues to develop coordinated prevention and response plans for COVID-19. BHA will provide COVID19 updates as they become available and accurate information for behavioral health providers, partners, and the greater community.

For the latest COVID-19 information and resources, visit the BHA website or coronavirus.maryland.gov. For additional questions or concerns, contact
your Local Behavioral Health Authority.