Garrett County Making Progress in Vaccinating Residents
By Garrett County Joint Information Center Team
Vaccinations against COVID-19 are continuing in Garrett County and across the nation. Each week the Garrett County Health Department coordinates vaccine clinics that vaccinate about 600 people, with first and second doses.
A total of 5,777 (19.9%) of Garrett County residents have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 3,337 (11.5%) have received their second dose. These numbers include residents who have been vaccinated at any location within Garrett County or elsewhere. The percent of Maryland residents who have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine is 16.9% and 9.3% for second doses.
During most weeks the Health Department receives a total of 600 doses of Moderna vaccine, 300 first doses and 300 second doses. Last week they also received an initial shipment of 100 doses of the new Johnson and Johnson vaccine and a clinic is being planned to begin using this vaccine. The weekly allocation for Johnson and Johnson has not yet been specified, but an additional shipment is not expected until the last week of March.
“The recommendation has always been to get your vaccine as soon as you are eligible and appointments are available, regardless of which vaccine is being used at that time,” said Garrett County Health Officer Bob Stephens. “It may not be possible to choose which kind of vaccine you will get, because availability of each kind will continue to vary and you will be playing a game of chance if you try to wait for a specific kind.”
Other Garrett County locations receiving vaccine from the State of Maryland include Walmart Pharmacy, Mountain Laurel Medical Center, and Garrett Regional Medical Center. Walgreens Pharmacies are participating in the Federal Pharmacy Program, and are receiving vaccine supply directly from the Federal Government.
As the number of vaccines distributed continues to go up, the COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Garrett County ontinues to remain low.
Today’s county information includes:
- A 7-day case rate of 1.97 per 100,000 Garrett County residents, which is well below Maryland’s case rate of 12.6
- A 7-day positivity rate of 1.8%, compared to Maryland’s rate of 3.36%
- A total of 1,847 COVID-19 cases
- A total of 60 deaths due to COVID-19 or its complications
Additional COVID-19 resources:
- If you have COVID-19 like symptoms, schedule a testing appointment at the Health Department by calling 301-334-7697.
- Free COVID-19 testing is available (with or without symptoms) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the MEDCO Building in the McHenry Business Park. Pre-registration is recommended. Visit garretthealth.org for more information.
- For all other COVID-19 related questions, or to report a COVID-19 compliance issue, call the local COVID-19 Hotline number at 301-334-7698.
