Protecting the Public

Worcester County, MD Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information 2021

Click on the link below the clinic location to register for that clinic. If you need assistance, call 667-253-2140, Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Available:

Please note:
Appointments are recommended to reserve your vaccine, but walk-ups will be accommodated as vaccine supply allows. Please bring your ID.
All WCHD clinics will offer Johnson/Johnson and Moderna vaccine for those 18-years-old and older unless specified.

9/23/21 -Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Snow Hill Health Department
6040 Public Landing Road
Snow Hill, MD

9/25/21-Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Berlin Fiddler's Convention
Main Street
Berlin, MD

9/27/21 - Offering Moderna
Berlin Health Department
9730 Healthway Drive
Berlin, MD

9/27/21 -Offering Moderna
Pocomoke Health Department
400 A Walnut Street
Pocomoke, MD

9/28/21 -Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Samaritan Shelter, Inc.
814 4th St
Pocomoke City, MD 21851

9/30/21 -Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Snow Hill Health Department
6040 Public Landing Road
Snow Hill, MD

10/4/21 - Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Berlin Health Department
9730 Healthway Drive
Berlin, MD

10/4/21 - Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Pocomoke Health Department
400 A Walnut Street
Pocomoke, MD

10/7/21 -Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Snow Hill Health Department
6040 Public Landing Road
Snow Hill, MD

10/14/21 -Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Snow Hill Health Department
6040 Public Landing Road
Snow Hill, MD

10/15/21 - Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Berlin Health Department
9730 Healthway Drive
Berlin, MD

10/16/21 -Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Snow Hill Health Department
6040 Public Landing Road
Snow Hill, MD

10/18/21 - Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Pocomoke Health Department
400 A Walnut Street
Pocomoke, MD

10/21/21 -Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Snow Hill Health Department
6040 Public Landing Road
Snow Hill, MD

10/22/21 - Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Berlin Health Department
9730 Healthway Drive
Berlin, MD

10/23/21 -Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Snow Hill Health Department
6040 Public Landing Road
Snow Hill, MD

10/25/21 - Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Pocomoke Health Department
400 A Walnut Street
Pocomoke, MD

10/28/21 -Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Snow Hill Health Department
6040 Public Landing Road
Snow Hill, MD

10/29/21 - Offering Moderna, Pzifer
Berlin Health Department
9730 Healthway Drive
Berlin, MD

This website provides up-to-date information about the Worcester County Health Department's response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

To view Maryland's COVID-19 Case Count visit https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/ Updated 9/22/2021

No-cost COVID-19 testing is available.

Who Needs an Additional COVID-19 Vaccine?
Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose. This includes people who have:

Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
Advanced or untreated HIV infection
Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them. This additional dose for immunocompromised persons can be given 28 days after their second dose.

Worcester Health is not currently offering BOOSTER doses. We are making plans for when this broad recommendation for a BOOSTER does happen, and clinics will be available after the recommendation is published. Please note that the CDC is indicating that booster doses will roll out similar to the initial vaccine with most at risk being prioritized.

CDC site:

When can I get a COVID-19 vaccine booster?
Not immediately. The goal is for people to start receiving a COVID-19 booster shot beginning in the fall, with individuals being eligible starting 8 months after they received their second dose of an mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). This is subject to authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommendation by CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). FDA is conducting an independent evaluation to determine the safety and effectiveness of a booster dose of the mRNA vaccines. ACIP will decide whether to issue a booster dose recommendation based on a thorough review of the evidence.

Who will be the first people to get a booster dose?
If FDA authorizes and ACIP recommends a booster dose, the goal is for the first people eligible for a booster dose to be those who were the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccination (those who are most at risk). This includes healthcare providers, residents of long-term care facilities, and other older adults.

At this point it is our understanding that booster doses can be provided 8 months after the second dose, however, we cannot confirm until the ACIP recommendations are final. WCHD is preparing to offer additional clinics probably starting October upon final ACIP recommendations.

Moderna and Pfizer vaccine are available in multiple locations across the state, not just our clinics.

GROUPS CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE FOR COVID-19 VACCINE:

The general population, including healthy people ages 12 and older.

STAY INFORMED

More information on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as Maryland’s phased distribution plan, is available on covidlink.maryland.gov. Marylanders can also receive updates from Maryland’s 211 text alert system by texting “MdReady” to 898-211.

EMERGENCY MANDATES AND RESTRICTIONS END ON JULY 1

All emergency mandates and restrictions will be terminated as of July 1. There will no longer be any statewide mask order in effect for any settings, including schools, camps, and child care facilities.

45-DAY ADMINISTRATIVE GRACE PERIOD THROUGH AUGUST 15

Thursday, July 1 will mark the beginning of a 45-day grace period, where certain regulations will continue to be relaxed to complete the administrative transition out of the pandemic. This includes such provisions as renewing driver’s licenses, winding down emergency health operations, and the moratorium on evictions related to COVID-19.

MARYLAND ENDS MASK MANDATE:

Governor Larry Hogan today announced the end of the statewide mask mandate, aligning Maryland with new CDC guidance.

Effective May 15, along with the lifting of all capacity limits and restrictions that the governor announced earlier this week.

In alignment with CDC guidance, face coverings will still be required on public transportation, and in schools, child care and health care settings.

The Maryland Department of Health has issued a public health advisory strongly recommending that all non-vaccinated individuals over the age of 2 years continue to wear face coverings in all indoor settings and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Private businesses and workplaces are free to put in place their own policies or guidance. Local jurisdictions are free to use their own emergency powers on these matters.

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR VENUES. Indoor and outdoor venues may resume normal operations. All remaining capacity restrictions will be lifted on all indoor entertainment venues and conventions, and all outdoor entertainment, art, and sports venues, including all ticketed events.

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING. Restaurants and bars may resume normal operations, as all remaining capacity and distancing restrictions and all other limits will be lifted on indoor and outdoor dining.

OUTDOOR DINING. Standing service may resume outdoors at bars and restaurants and all restrictions related to outdoor dining capacity and distancing will be lifted. Seated service and physical distancing requirements will remain in place indoors at bars and restaurants.

LICENSING AND PERMITTING. The governor’s order authorizing the suspension of license and permitting expirations will sunset on June 30, 2021. Timeframe suspensions made before this order will remain in effect until June 30, though agencies may terminate them earlier. Agencies are explicitly authorized to conduct virtual hearings and meetings. Read the order.

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

CDC Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People Updated 4/27/2021

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.

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.

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 Vaccination Cards

Have you lost Your COVID vaccination card? Maryland MyIR is a free website service that allows consumers to view and print copies of their official vaccination records directly from ImmuNet, Maryland's immunization information system. Visit Maryland MyIR.

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.