The Carroll County Health Department reported this week that COVID-19 cases are increasing slightly in the region, though the county still has low community levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s definition.
The CDC looks at the combination of three metrics — new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days, the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days — to determine the COVID-19 community level.
Carroll County’s rate as of April 25 was 9.5 per 100,000. The CDC considers less than 10 per 100,000 as “low;” 10-19.9 as “medium;” and 20 and higher as “high” community level.
According to Maryland Department of Health data, as of April 24, the county’s positivity rate was 6.35%, which is a 1.63% increase from the previous week.
COVID-19 cases have been steadily rising in the county since the week of March 27, when a total of 46 cases were reported.
As of April 17, Carroll had 112 positive COVID-19 cases, a small increase from the previous week’s total of 88. The week of April 3, 60 confirmed cases were reported.
“While we’re seeing an uptick in cases, we are hopeful that we won’t see a big surge like we did in January, and that we’ll see lower case rates again this summer,” said Deputy Health Officer Dr. Robert Wack. “We continue to recommend that people stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations; test if they are sick, exposed to COVID-19, or visiting someone at high risk; and seek treatment early if they get COVID-19.”
Hospitalizations and deaths remain at low levels, according to local health department data, which is several weeks behind the case count data. The last two COVID-19 related deaths in the county were reported earlier this month.
As of this week, 72.1% of Carroll County’s population has been fully vaccinated and 54.7% have received a COVID-19 booster. Boosters are recommended for ages 12 and older. Second boosters are available for people 50 and older or those who are 12 and older and have certain immune-compromising conditions.
“The health department continues to offer COVID-19 services such as testing and vaccination clinics to meet the needs of the community, with the support of our community partners,” said Health Officer Sue Doyle. “We’re prepared to expand or add services, as needed. People can check our website cchd.maryland.gov and follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates.”
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A series of upcoming clinics have been scheduled for ages 5 and older.
This week, two clinics will be held, one on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Taneytown Fire Department and the other on Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Westminster Senior Center.
Next week, clinics will be held Monday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at St. John Catholic Church in Westminster, where Spanish interpreters will be available, and Wednesday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Westminster Senior Center.
On May 11, 18 and 25, clinics will be held from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Westminster Senior Center.
Updated booster information and clinics can be found at https://cchd.maryland.gov/registration-links/.
Free PCR testing is still available at the health department, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. At-home test kits are also still available at libraries and through the federal government and insurance. More information on testing in the county can be found at https://cchd.maryland.gov/at-home-test-kits/
Treatment options are available locally, including test to treat sites in Carroll County. More information can be found at https://cchd.maryland.gov/treatments-for-covid-19/.