by Kate Evans Health officials continue to worry about an onslaught of respiratory illnesses – COVID-19, seasonal influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) – during this holiday season. There has been a wave of respiratory illness in West Virginia, Maryland and nationwide. Health officials have continued to urge everyone to[Read More…]
Health
Hancock COVID vaccine clinic set for Thursday, December 8
by Geoff Fox The Washington County Health Department is following up its recent flu clinics at local public schools with COVID-19 vaccination clinics at middle schools in the county. Hancock Middle-Senior High School was originally supposed to host a clinic on November 17, but it was rescheduled for this Thursday,[Read More…]
Department of Health launches program to reduce suicides among Maryland service members, veterans
The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) fully launched the Trained Military Assistance Provider (TMAP) Program, a new initiative to reduce suicides and increase lethal-means safety for service members and veterans. Developed by the Maryland Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and their Families, this training is free[Read More…]
Avian flu confirmed on Washington County farm
State agriculture officials have said federal laboratory testing has confirmed a case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HP AI) in poultry at a Washington County farm. Following an investigation by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory has confirmed poultry[Read More…]
RSV makes early appearance this season, poses threat to young patients
Public health officials have already seen an increase in respiratory viruses affecting children and infants this season, and recommend precautions to stem the spread to others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert for Rhinoviruses (RSV) and Enterovirus (EV) last month, saying doctors and nurses[Read More…]
Health officials say it’s time for flu shots & COVID booster
by Kate Evans It’ s almost time for flu season to start and COVID-19 cases are increasing in the area. Protect yourself and family by getting your annual flu shot soon, public health officials say. They are recommending getting a COVID-19 vaccination or updated COVID booster shot at the same[Read More…]
FEMA urges families to build disaster preparedness into September
National Preparedness Month is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2022 Theme for this preparedness month is “A Lasting Legacy.” “The life you’ve built is worth protecting. Prepare for disasters to create a[Read More…]
Washington County part of COVID monitoring through wastewater treatment plant tracking
The City of Hagerstown’ s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), in separate studies with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has been collecting wastewater samples from the plant since January in order to analyze them for signs of and tendencies related[Read More…]
CDC changes COVID-19 guidance on quarantine and social distancing
by Kate Evans The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new COVID-19 guidance on quarantining and social distancing last Thursday. They recommended that if a person was not up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines and was exposed to the virus, that instead of quarantining they should wear a high-quality mask[Read More…]
