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.

COVID-19 Clinics Available:

4/22/21
Worcester - Northside Park Rec Center
200 125th Street, Ocean City MD, 21842
Deadline to register is 4pm 4/21/21

4/22/21
Snow Hill Health Department
6040 Public Landing Road
Snow Hill, MD
Deadline to register is 4pm on 4/21/21

4/22/21
Pocomoke Health Center
400 A Walnut Street
Pocomoke, MD
Deadline to register is 4pm on 4/21/21

4/23/21
Ocean City Health Center
4 Caroline St, Ocean City, MD 21842
Deadline to register is 4pm 4/22/21

All of our clinics provide MODERNA, a two-dose vaccine series for ages 18 years and older.

Appointments recommended to reserve your vaccine, but walk-ups will be accommodated as vaccine supply allows. Please bring your ID.
If you have questions call 667-253-2140 or visit www.worcesterhealth.org.

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/.

The data below was last updated on April 20, 2021, at 1:00 pm based on the latest available data from coronavirus.jhu.edu & coronavirus.maryland.gov. Note this data is retroactive to the day before. Vaccine numbers are preliminary and subject to change.

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

Click the image below for testing locations and contact information

Who is eligible for the vaccine and when?

Vaccine supply is dependent on the federal government’s allocation to Maryland and is subject to change. Please note that population groups are non-exhaustive and all numbers are approximate.

GROUPS CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE:

The general population, including healthy adults ages 16 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.

COVID-19 Vaccination Support Center

MDH and the Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) are working together to promote access to vaccines. The departments have begun contacting seniors directly to invite them to use the new COVID-19 Vaccination Support Center at 1-855-MDGOVAX (1-855-634-6829). The COVID-19 Vaccination Support Center will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Marylanders can call the center to get information on COVID-19 vaccines and identify providers closest to their homes. The center is specifically designed to assist residents without internet access.

The center can also help callers schedule vaccination appointments at the state’s mass vaccination sites, including Six Flags America in Prince George’s County.

An updated overview of Maryland’s phased distribution plan is available here.

EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, MARCH 12 AT 5 PM:

CAPACITY LIMITS LIFTED, MASKING, AND DISTANCING PROTOCOLS MAINTAINED. Capacity limits will be lifted on outdoor and indoor dining at restaurants and bars, retail businesses, religious facilities, fitness centers, casinos, personal services, and indoor recreational establishments. Bars and restaurants will be open for seated and distanced service only—patrons may not stand at a crowded bar. Masking, physical distancing, and other safety protocols will remain in place.

LARGE OUTDOOR AND INDOOR VENUES MAY OPERATE AT 50% CAPACITY. Large outdoor and indoor venues may begin operating at 50% capacity. This includes theaters; concert, convention, and wedding venues; racing facilities, and outdoor entertainment and sporting venues. Masking, physical distancing, and other safety protocols will remain in place.

MEDICAL ADULT DAY CARE CENTERS TO REOPEN. Medical adult day care centers may reopen, with facilities able to set appropriate restrictions and safety measures. Read the order.

QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS LIFTED; TRAVEL ADVISORY REMAINS IN PLACE. Quarantine requirements and other restrictions on out-of-state travel will be lifted. A Maryland Department of Health (MDH) travel advisory will remain in place, and Marylanders continue to be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 upon their return from out-of-state travel.
Read the updated MDH directives.

ADDITIONAL ORDERS AND GUIDANCE:

STATEWIDE MASKING ORDER REMAINS IN EFFECT. Maryland’s statewide masking order remains in full force and effect. This requires the wearing of masks or face coverings at any public indoor facility, including retail establishments, fitness centers, grocery stores, pharmacies, personal service establishments, in the public spaces of all public and private businesses across the state, and when using public transportation. Masks are still required in all outdoor public areas whenever it is not possible to maintain physical distancing.

TELEWORK. With contact tracing continuing to show some transmission among individuals who are working outside the home, particularly in office settings, the state continues to encourage employers to support telework whenever possible.

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/.

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.

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.

How long do I have to quarantine if I am a contact of a positive and I have no symptoms?

CDC recently updated their guidance for the length of quarantine for persons who are contacts of a COVID-19 positive case. Below is a summary of the new guidance (updated 12/2/2020).

For most situations, quarantine of persons who DO NOT have any symptoms can end either after 7 days or 10 days following the last exposure to a COVID case, depending on whether a COVID test is performed, as follows:

The person may be released from quarantine after Day 7 if they have a COVID-19 test (when diagnostic testing resources are sufficient and available) and test negative and they did not have any symptoms during the daily monitoring.
- Note: The specimen may be collected and tested within 48 hours before the time of planned quarantine discontinuation (e.g., in anticipation of testing delays), but quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than after Day 7. Therefore, the specimen must be collected on or after Day 5.
If the person had no symptoms during daily monitoring and did not have a COVID-19 test, they may be released from quarantine after Day 10.

When people meet these criteria and end quarantine early, these individuals must continue self-monitoring of symptoms and consistent mask use through day 14. They should also continue to follow prevention guidelines including maintaining a minimum of 6 foot physical distance from others and washing their hands.

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.