Garrett County COVID-19 Case Numbers on the Rise

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department

As the number of COVID-19 cases in Garrett County steadily increases, the CDC’s community transmission map shows Garrett County and most boardering counties in the orange, with substantial spread, while Allegany County as well as neighboring counties in Pennsylvania (Bedford) and West Virginia (Tucker and Grant) with high spread.

Garrett County’s metrics show a 7-day positivity rate of 7.10% and 17.23 cases per 100,000 population. The current cumulative positive test results are at 2,125, with 2 hospitalization at GRMC, and 65 deaths from COVID-19 and its complications.

Vaccination reports show 47.4% of residents 12+ and 74.6% of residents 65+ have received at least one vaccination against COVID-19. Garrett County’s vaccination rate is the lowest in Maryland.

Testing is available at Garrett County Health Department by appointment Monday through Friday. Call 301-334-7697 to schedule an appointment.

Health officials continue to recommend that everyone who is eligible should receive the COVID-19 vaccination to protect themselves and others. And, in most cases, being fully vaccinated eliminates the need to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19.

“While we recommend that all persons who have been exposed to COVID-19 take precautions, those who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine as long as they are without symptoms,” said Garrett County Health Officer Bob Stephens. “It is recommended that vaccinated exposed people be tested 3-5 days after exposure and continue to mask and take precautions for 14 days. This testing is recommended even if they have no symptoms. All others must quarantine for 14 days.”

CDC reports that the risk of fully vaccinated people becoming infected with COVID-19 is low. However, any fully vaccinated person who experiences COVID-19 like symptoms should isolate themselves from others, be clinically evaluated, and tested if indicated.

The CDC also recommends vaccination for those who have had a COVID-19 infection and have recovered.

A study done in Kentucky in May – June of 2021 looked at whether a vaccine given to people after they had experienced COVID-19 offered greater protection against reinfection than not being vaccinated after an infection. Residents who were not vaccinated had 2.34 times the odds of reinfection compared with those who were fully vaccinated. These findings suggest that among persons with previous COVID-19 infection, full vaccination provides additional protection against reinfection. The study’s conclusion was that in order to reduce their risk of infection, all eligible persons should be offered vaccination, even if they have been previously infected with the virus.

The Garrett County Health Department has weekly clinics scheduled at their Oakland and Grantsville Offices throughout the summer, with Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, and Pfizer vaccine available at each clinic.

Oakland Clinics
•Tuesdays at 1025 Memorial Drive
•8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Grantsville Clinics
•Fridays at 28 Hershberger Lane
•8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information and to make an appointment visit GarrettHealth.org or call 301-334-7697 or 301-895-3111.