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Garrett County Government
301.334.8970 | info@garrettcounty.org

Garrett County COVID-19-Related Numbers and Easter Service Guidance

Last Updated on Apr 8, 2020 at 4:16pm | Board of Commissioners
By Garrett County Joint Information Center Team
 
Garrett County Health Department reported today that testing numbers and negative results continue to grow, while the positive cases of COVID-19 remains at four.
 
Total COVID-19 testing numbers for Garrett County residents as of Wednesday, April 8th, are as follows:
  • 163 - specimens processed
  • 4 – total positive results for Garrett County residents
  • 116 - negative results for Garrett County residents
  • 43 - pending tests results
 
The Maryland State Map currently shows a fifth case in Garrett County. However, due to an issue with the patient's reported address, the county of residence is not Garrett. The issue has been reported to the state for correction.
 
Please note under current procedures, local health departments are only notified of results on the individuals who reside in their county.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic is interfering with normal Easter Celebrations across the country. The Governor's Executive Order prohibiting groups of more than 10 people from assembling and requiring those groups of 10 or less to maintain social distancing of at least six feet between individuals. Churches, synagogues, and mosques have been included in the list of 'non-essential businesses' that are required to close their normal operations.
 
Some minimal operations at a religious facility can continue and have been defined by the Governor's Office of Legal Counsel as follows:
 
 
Drive-In Religious Services: May be conducted where participants gather in their vehicles near the religious facility and participate in the service together by remote means. To protect public health, safety, and welfare, participants must:
  • Remain in their vehicles at all times
  • Have no more than 10 people per vehicle
  • Have no physical interaction between clergy, staff or participants in other vehicles
  • Not collect donations by basket or plate
 
Limited In-Person Services: Clergy may conduct limited in-person services at their respective religious facilities, subject to the following requirements:
  • No more than 10 persons, including clergy, staff and participants, may be present inside the religious facility during the service
  • Participants may not interact physically with clergy, staff, or participants, including collecting donations by basket or plate
  • Everyone must be at least six feet apart from one another at all times, except for participants that are part of the same household
  • Everyone must comply with all applicable guidance from the CDC and MDH regarding social distancing
  • There must be at least a four-hour gap between the end of one in-person service and the beginning of the next in-person service
  • The religious facility should be cleaned between services, in accordance with CDC cleaning and disinfection guidance
 
Minimal Operations at Religious Facilities: Clergy and other staff of religious facilities are permitted to continue conducting minimal operations provided that they comply with all applicable guidance from the CDC and MDH regarding social distancing, which can include facilitating remote services.
 
Accurate COVID-19 information is critical to the community. For the most current and accurate information about the situation, please refer to the following:
  • Health Department COVID-19 Dashboard: garretthealth.org/covid-19-information/. Local information as well as links to State and National resources.
  • Health Department Frequently Ask Questions Page: bit.ly/covid-19-answers
  • Garrett County COVID-19 Medical Hotline: 301-334-7698
  • Garrett County Government’s COVID-19 Page: garrettcounty.org/covid-19
 
Please call 911 only for medical emergencies, not for coronavirus information or questions.