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COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: April 2, 2020

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COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: April 2, 2020

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The Washington County, Maryland Joint Information Center (JIC) provides the following update regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC)
As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation rapidly evolves, the EOC continues to monitor, plan and prepare for the weeks ahead. We ask that citizens continue to follow the directive from Governor Hogans office. Governor Hogan issued a Stay-at-Home order earlier this week. Practice and remind others of the importance of using everyday preventive actions that can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Together we can help flatten the curve.
To lower the risk of transmission, the Health Officer recommends the following:
  • Avoid non-essential travel and public gatherings, especially if you are an individual who is at increased risk for severe illness, including pregnant women, older adults and persons of any age with underlying health conditions.
  • Avoid travel to all areas where there are outbreaks of COVID-19.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • If you are mildly sick with a fever, stay home except to get medical care.
  • Those with high risk factors and who have fever or new or worsening cough, should consider contacting their providers earlier when they are sick. Call ahead to let them know of your symptoms.
MERITUS HEALTH
Meritus Medical Laboratory at the Meritus Medical Plaza, 13260 Crayton Blvd., has set temporary new hours effective today, Thursday, April 2 – 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Meritus Health continues to offer telehealth visits. These visits will allow patients to speak directly with a primary care provider to discuss health concerns.
Telehealth visits are available from 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. To request a telehealth visit please complete the form below.
COVID-19 TESTING SITES
Click on the map to right to access the closest testing site.
Once you have spoken with someone on the COVID-19 care line – 301-790-9170 – or to your physician about your symptoms, you may be directed to Meritus Health’s drive-thru or walk-thru screening center.
  • Drive-thru Center: COVID-19 screening is available behind Meritus Medical Plaza, at 13620 Crayton Blvd. The drive-thru screening center is open Monday – Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Walk-thru Center: COVID-19 screening is available at 24 N. Walnut St, Hagerstown, MD. The walk-thru screening center is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
To view testing guidelines for COVID-19 at Meritus testing locations, please click here. These have been updated to now include those who are age 60 and older.
WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Healthy Washington County is compiling a Community Resource List on services provided by businesses or organizations to help citizens maintain their health during the pandemic. For example, Meritus is offering telehealth visits and has both a COVID-19 email and a phone line to answer questions from community residents. Some pharmacies are offering free prescription deliveries, grocery stores are scheduling times for senior-only shopping, food delivery services, online workouts, etc. If your organization has a service or resource which can assist our community members during this difficult time and you would it like to be shared, please email Deb Lehr Coordinator of Community Health Education and Outreach at Meritus Health at [email protected]
WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Washington County Public Schools understands many parents and guardians are being asked to step into unfamiliar roles as in the transition to an online learning environment from home. The school system’s distance learning initiative will be most successful with a strong partnership between students, families, and educators. WCPS has compiled resources to support families and students who are navigating this new and exciting journey. Visit Distance Learning @ WCPS to find tutorials, tips for pacing the online school day, an overview of the distance learning curriculum and weekly objectives, and more.
WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The information below and links to disaster relief resources, webinars and more can be found on the Chamber website, www.hagerstown.org and the Chamber’s special breakout page www.hagerstown.org/strongtogether
UPCOMING WEBINARS
Friday, April 3rd, 12:00 p.m.
How to Apply for a Coronavirus Small Business Loan
NFIB will host its fourth COVID-19 webinar on Friday, April 3, 2020, at 12 pm ET, which will focus exclusively on small business loan programs that are now available. SBA disaster loan applications are already being accepted. And starting April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply for loans under the Paycheck Protection Loan (PPPL) program. Businesses interested in a PPPL have been advised by the U.S. Treasury Department to apply as quickly as they can because there is a funding cap. During this webinar, NFIB’s experts will provide additional information on the financing options for small businesses and:
  1. Outline funding sources available with the PPPL loans and SBA disaster loans and compare the two loan programs.
  2. Discuss the financial statements and other information needed to prepare to apply.
  3. Include information on how to apply for the two loan programs.
All business owners who anticipate a need for financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic should attend.
Can’t make this Webinar? Don’t worry! Register Now and they’ll email you an on-demand version in a few days! View all past on-demand webinars
April 6th, 10:00 a.m.
Advantage Technology Presents: Business Continuity: Make Your Company Resilient in the Face Of Disaster
Computer Backups? Disaster Recovery? Business Continuity? All the same thing, right? Unfortunately, NO.
Many people think having good computer backups IS a disaster recovery (DR) plan, but in reality, backups are just ONE COMPONENT of a complete DR plan. Folks also confuse DR with business continuity (BC), but in practice, a DR plan focuses mainly on restoring an IT infrastructure and operations AFTER a crisis, whereas a BC plan looks at the continuity and operations of the entire organization DURING the crisis.
This is a complex topic, but a very important one, especially in light of current circumstances. According to FEMA, between 40-60% of small businesses that suffer a disaster never reopen their doors, and 90% of small businesses that don’t reopen within five days of the catastrophe fail within a year.
This session will provide business leaders with some actionable steps to develop plans and methodologies to make their organizations more resilient to disasters and unforeseen business interruptions.
Attention Employers:
Interpretive Guidance just came out for Religious Institutions –http://www.hagerstown.org/uploads/8/2/9/0/82905852/olc-interpretive-guidance-covid19-09.pdf
LINKS FOR SBA Resources
The Office of Inspector General recognizes that we are facing unprecedented times and is alerting the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times. Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS
Report any suspected fraud to OIG’s Hotline at 800-767-0385 or online: CLICK HERE
FBI Warning – Beware of COVID-19 Scams:
  • Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online.
  • Phishing emails posing as the World Health Organization or the CDC.
  • Malicious websites and apps that appear to share virus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received,
  • Seeking donations for illegitimate charitable organizations.
These scams may come through text messages, phone calls, email messages, etc. Before you act, stop. Ask yourself: Who is this message from?
HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Hagerstown Community College Foundation has established a new Student Emergency Assistance Fund that provides a one-time financial stipend for HCC students who find themselves facing homelessness, illness, unemployment, or who might otherwise be unable to continue their education, due to COVID-19 related circumstances.
The HCC Alumni Association will match donations, up to $10,000. For more information on the fund and how to donate, visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/emergencyfund. Details about the guidelines and process for students to apply will be available soon.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES & INFORMATION
COMMISSION ON AGING
The Washington County Commission on Aging is asking for some critical items for the Meals on Wheels program as soon as possible. They are seeking assistance in collecting items for shelf-stable meals and are in desperate need of donation for their program recipients. The following items are examples of what they are looking for:
  • Canned foods (soups, fruits, etc.)
  • Non-perishables (peanut butter, cereal bars, oatmeal, cereal, shelf stable milk, juice boxes, etc.)
  • Cleaning products
  • Toiletries
ANYTHING will help at this time. Just to give the community an idea, they need 3000 cans of soup for their next distribution and they have less than 600 for their next delivery which is April 6th.
Donations can be dropped at the Commission on Aging door (donation bins there): 535 East Franklin Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740, contact information: [email protected].
They can also use plastic bags to deliver these in to their seniors (can even be plastic grocery bags!)
For additional information, please contact the Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380 or [email protected].
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