Garrett County COVID-19 Numbers Are Headed in the Wrong Direction

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

Garrett County’s COVID-19 rates continue to go up as the rates of all other counties in Maryland are trending down.

“In fact, Garrett County’s rates are higher than any of the counties that surround us,” said Garrett County Health Officer Bob Stephens. “For a long time, our rates were the best in Maryland, and better than those of the West Virginia counties that directly border us, but now our numbers are higher than any of theirs.”

COVID-19 Numbers:
• Garrett County’s 7-Day Average Positivity Rate is 15.62%. Maryland’s overall rate is 3.21%.
• Garrett County’s 7-Day Case Rate per 100,000 is 68.44. Maryland’s overall case rate is 12.5 per 100,000.

In the last 10 days, Garrett County has had 141 new positive cases of COVID-19 and the number of deaths attributed to complications from COVID-19 has gone up by 2, reaching a combined total of 78.

“We are seeing the consequences of our high numbers, which include deaths, and long-term effects of COVID,” Stephens said. “Businesses are closing and cutting back hours not because of any mandates, but because they have staff who are sick or quarantined. In addition, hospital and nursing home staff are working long hours to meet the high demands brought on by the added burden of COVID.”

“Frankly, I believe it is foolish to not receive the vaccine,” Stephens continued. “It has been proven to be effective and stunningly safe – many hundreds of times safer than acquiring the virus and also safer than not having immunity. PLEASE GET THE VACCINE. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor.”

“I am certain that some may take offense and maybe have hurt feelings by this statement,” Stephens said, “but, I believe it is my obligation to give this strong statement. In public health we have the goals of promoting health, preventing sickness, and protecting the community. The best way to do this right now is to have as many persons as possible vaccinated against COVID and other diseases that may easily spread in the community.”

The Garrett County Health Department has weekly clinics scheduled at their Oakland and Grantsville Offices, with Moderna 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.