Garrett County Reaches a Grim Milestone in COVID Related Deaths

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

The Garrett County Health Department received notification of a grim milestone as the county recorded its 100th death attributed to COVID-19 or its related complications. Since December 1st there has been a total of 15 Garrett County residents who have died as a result of COVID infection.

“We were saddened to receive the news that the number of lives lost to the pandemic has reached 100 in our county,” said Garrett County Health Officer Bob Stephens. “Even one death is too many, and our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones.”

Garrett County’s case rates have risen dramatically in the last week, while COVID-19 vaccination rates continue to lag behind those in most of the state. Currently, only 48% of all Garrett County residents are fully vaccinated against COVID, compared to 71% of Marylanders and 55% of West Virginia residents.

“Vaccination remains the single best strategy to prevent hospitalization and death from COVID.” Stephens said.

Garrett County COVID-19 case and vaccinations statistics as of January 11th:

• Cases Per 100,000 Population: 149.5 (Maryland: 199.06)
• Positivity Rate: 22.7% (Maryland: 27.62%)
• Total deaths from COVID -19 and its complications: 100
• Age 12+ Fully Vaccinated: 53.7%
• Age 65+ Fully Vaccinated: 77.95

The Garrett County Health Department has vaccination clinics scheduled on Fridays at the Health Department’s facility located at 28 Hershberger Lane in Grantsville and on Tuesdays at their office on Memorial Drive in Oakland. Clinics in both locations run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment visit www.garretthealth.org. Walk-in appointments are also available.