New COVID-19 vaccine now available

 

Baltimore, MD—The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) announced all Marylanders 18 years old and older are now eligible to receive a primary series of the newly authorized Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.

(View full news release:)

Pages - New COVID-19 vaccine available next week for Marylanders 18 and older

A current view, locally, on Covid-19

 (WMDT)

SALISBURY,Md- As both Wicomico and Worcester Counties report high over 100 new covid cases a week, health officials say they don’t expect these surges to lead to the high levels of hospitalizations and deaths of previous covid waves.

View news story:

As Covid cases climb, health officials say the era of high hospitalization, fatality numbers is fading - 47abc (wmdt.com)

Tidal Health visitation changing

 

As TidalHealth works to balance patient safety and support and the desire to reunite loved ones with family members who are hospitalized, starting on Monday, March 28, the health system will be increasing visitation opportunities at both TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, Maryland and TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford, Delaware.

View details:

Visitation expands on Monday, March 28 at TidalHealth hospitals | TidalHealth

March vaccine schedule at Westover

 
View schedule:

SOMERSET COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES MARCH COVID-19 TESTING SCHEDULE > Somerset County Health DepartmentSomerset County Health Department (somersethealth.org)

Masks in public schools now optional on lower Eastern Shore

 

Mandatory mask requirements have been lifted in the public schools in Worcester, Somerset, and Wicomico Counties, including on school buses.  However, wearing a mask in the school environment is strongly recommended.

Maryland school districts will make mask decisions

 (NBC4Washington)

A panel of Maryland lawmakers voted Friday to end a statewide emergency order and enable local school districts to decide whether students must wear face coverings in school.

View news story:

Masks to Be Decided by School Districts, Maryland Panel Says – NBC4 Washington (nbcwashington.com)

 

Worcester Responsible Return 2.0 Update

 
View transcript of message from Superintendent Lou Taylor:

February 22, 2022 - Responsible Return 2.0 Update - Worcester County Public   Schools (worcesterk12.org)

School mask policy now in hands of Md General Assembly

 (WMDT)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Maryland State Board of Education has voted 12-2 to rescind the statewide mask mandate in schools.

The decision now lies in the hands of the Maryland General Assembly, which must now vote to approve it.

View news story:

BREAKING: Md. Board of Education votes to rescind school mask policy - 47abc (wmdt.com)

Pocomoke City Hall Face Coverings

 (City of Pocomoke Facebook Page)

TidalHealth visitation changes starting Feb 21

 
TidalHealth announces changes in visitation for the Labor & Delivery and Mother/Baby units ONLY effective Monday, February 21, 2022 at its Salisbury and Seaford hospitals. 

View announcement:

Visitation changes in Labor & Delivery and Mother/Baby units ONLY | TidalHealth

UPDATED: Politicians know best? (we hope)

 Friday 2/18/22 Update:

Accomack County School Superintendent Chris Holland: “It is important to note that Senate bill 739 does not apply to students on school buses. Federal regulations still require students to continue wearing masks while riding the bus. At this time, all staff will be required to wear masks in our buildings per Virginia Department of Labor and industry guidelines.  This applies to all visitors as well."

View full statement:

Accomack County Schools lifts in school mask mandate; masks still required on busses - Shore Daily News

Original posting:

(Shore Daily News)

Virginia Governor Youngkin signs into law a bill making it illegal to require children to wear masks in public schools.

View news story:

Governor signs legislation to end mask mandates in public schools - Shore Daily News

Accomack School Board

 

(Shore Daily News)

The Accomack School board took no action on the inevitable rescinding of mandating mask wearing by students Tuesday night.

Parents continued to press the school board during the public comment period of the meeting. One asked what would be done now that the Governor has asked for an emergency order that would allow parents to immediately decide whether their children will wear masks at school.

The officials did not respond to the question.  The Board previously voted 8-1 to require masks and students have been suspended for not doing so.

View full news story:

Accomack School Board takes no action on mask mandates - Shore Daily News

Maryland mask requirement changing

 (WMDT)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Governor Larry Hogan announced on Monday that the requirement for masks to be worn in state buildings will end next week.

View news story:

Gov. Hogan announces end of mask requirement in state buildings - 47abc (wmdt.com)

Hogan favors no mask mandate for schools

 

(Capital Gazette)

Maryland Gov. Hogan urges State Board of Education to rescind school mask mandate, citing improving COVID metrics 

View news story:

Maryland Gov. Hogan urges State Board of Education to rescind school mask mandate, citing improving COVID metrics - Capital Gazette

Maryland Covid-19 vacinations

(WBOC)

ANNAPOLIS, Md.- Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday that, according to official CDC data, more than 95% of Maryland adults have now been vaccinated against COVID-19..

View news story:

Md. Surpasses 95% of Adults Vaccinated Against COVID-19 | Latest News | wboc.com

TidalHealth transtions from Crisis Mode

 (WBOC)

SEAFORD, Del./SALISBURY, Md.- TidalHealth has announced they are moving out of crisis mode to Contingency mode of operations as COVID metrics begin to trend down.

View news story:

TidalHealth Out of Crisis Mode on Friday | Latest News | wboc.com

TidalHealth visitation policy changing

 (WMDT)

SALISBURY, Md. – Starting on Tuesday, February 1st, TidalHealth will increase visitation opportunities at both TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury and TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford.

One designated visitor over the age of 18 will be allowed per patient for the duration of the patient’s hospitalization.

View news story:

TidalHealth changing visitation policy starting Feb. 1st - 47abc (wmdt.com)

Worcester County Health Department providing free masks

 

View announcement:

Worcester Health to provide KN95 facemasks at local offices

Somerset County Health Department will provide KN95 masks to public

 

View WMDT news story:

Somerset Health Department to begin distributing KN95 masks to public - 47abc (wmdt.com)