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Spy COVID-19 Daily Update July 3

July 3, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Key points for today

• Talbot County cases increased by 5 to 142, according to the county health department.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 68,961, an increase of 538 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 3,099 deaths, 13 were in the last 24 hours; another 124 deaths in Maryland are likely due to the novel coronavirus.

The Spy obtains information for this chart between 2 and 3 p.m. Statewide data is updated about 10 a.m. each day; counties may update data throughout the day until 5 p.m. Hopkins updates its data throughout the day.

* Maryland and Cecil County report the total released from isolation.

** For Kent County deaths, The Spy reports its own tally based on the number of state-reported deaths within Kent County facilities and the number of non-facility deaths. For Queen Anne’s County deaths, The Spy reports the total deaths listed on the county’s website. There are discrepancies among state and county statistics concerning total deaths and facility deaths.

Key metrics

• There currently are 422 people hospitalized — 279 in acute care and 143 in intensive care.

• The total number of currently hospitalized patients decreased by 19 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the 15,564 test results received on July 2, 5.94% were positive for COVID-19; the 7-day average positivity rate was 4.92%.

For additional COVID-19 graphics and links to resources, click here.

Additional information

• A total of 691,495 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Maryland. The state reports 494,873 total negative test results, including 10,121 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 68,961 cases, 10,973 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment; 5,023 have been released from isolation.

The graph below shows the total cases, total ever hospitalized, and total deaths statewide.

Easton Experiments with Closing Main Street for Pedestrians

July 3, 2020 by Dave Wheelan Leave a Comment

Like almost every town these days, local leaders have been scratching their heads to come up with ways to help downtown merchants, and mainly, restaurants get back in business as the region enters the second phase of opening back up. And in the case of dining venues, that means trying to maximize their outdoor seating capacity, which right now for many is just a narrow sidewalk.

The Town of Easton council decided they could help some of those businesses by closing down a block of a downtown street (Washington Street) which would provide an extra 25 feet of room for outdoor seating but also a safe place for the community to gather with plenty of social distancing to enjoy other retail stores, live music or other family fun programming.

For a few hours on select days, the Washington Street block in front of the Talbot Courthouse will almost instantly transform itself into a pedestrian mall. The town will be calling it the Washington Street Promenade.

We sat down with Ross Benincasa, director of Discover Easton, to get the details on how this might work for Easton and other towns.

This video is approximately three minutes in length.

Harris Opens 2020 Academy Nomination Process Online

July 3, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) is pleased to announce that the U.S. Military Service Academies nomination application is now available for students wishing to join the class of 2025. Congressman Harris will nominate some of the finest students from Maryland’s First Congressional District for appointments to the U.S. Military, Naval, Air Force, and Merchant Marine Academies. The Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination, though Congressman Harris will recommend interested applicants on a case-by-case basis.

Admission to the service academies is based on SAT/ACT scores, class rank, physical aptitude scores, extracurricular activities, athletic abilities, medical examinations, and a panel interview. Academies accept applications on a rolling basis beginning in September. Final acceptance is also contingent upon receiving a nomination from an authorized source such as one’s Congressman or Senator.

The deadline to apply for a nomination from Congressman Harris is October 23, 2020. All qualified residents of Maryland’s First District are encouraged to apply. Interviews will be conducted in the fall by Congressman Harris’ Military Academy Review Board, which is made up of veterans and reservists of the United States military. The Service Academies will be notified of Congressman Harris’ nominations by December 31, 2020.

Congressman Harris made the following statement:

“As a veteran, year after year I remain awed at the dozens of talented young students seeking to attend our service academies, and it is my privilege to nominate the best candidates to these historic institutions. My staff ad I stand ready to assist them, and I eagerly look forward to evaluating each candidate’s qualifications and commitment in detail.”

Students can complete the nomination application at https://harris.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations. For questions, please contact the Military Academy Nomination Coordinator, Rachel Rosebrock, at MD01academy@mail.house.gov.

For media inquiries, please contact Congressman Harris’ Washington, DC office at 202-225-5311, or contact John Dutton at John.Dutton@mail.house.gov or Walter Smoloski at Walter.Smoloski@mail.house.gov.

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Easton Utilities Begins Annual Flushing Program

July 3, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The water main flushing program, conducted by Easton Utilities on an annual basis, is scheduled to begin in mid-July throughout the service territory. “This successful program allows us to focus on any areas of concerns within the infrastructure to ensure Easton Utilities can continue delivering high quality water,” stated Doug Abbott, Water and Wastewater Department Manager for Easton Utilities

The annual flushing program consists of opening certain hydrants in brief intervals to flush out sediment that may have collected in water mains over the past year. This enhances the long-term water quality, confirm adequate fire flows, and identifies possible malfunctions in the hydrants and system valves.

Customers in the immediate areas affected will be notified via a robocall several days in advance. To reduce the possibility of any inconvenience to customers, crews will work each night, Sunday through Thursday (excluding holidays), from 11 pm until 5 am. During the flushing of the water mains, there may be a temporary reduction of water pressure or some discoloration in the tap water. This discoloration condition is not harmful and can be addressed quickly by running cold water until it is clear after the flushing in the immediate area is complete. We also suggest not washing clothes during these operations.

For further information or if you have questions, please call 410-822-6110. We appreciate your cooperation as we work to maintain our water distribution system.

Easton Utilities is a community-owned, not-for-profit utility and telecommunications company operating the Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, Cable Television, and Internet services for the Town of Easton and portions of the surrounding area. Please visit www.eastonutilities.com or call 410-822-6110 to learn more.

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Health Officer Warns Pandemic ‘Far From Over’ as Talbot Cases, Positivity Rate Jump

July 2, 2020 by John Griep Leave a Comment

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Talbot County has jumped in the last 12 days, while the county’s positivity rate also has significantly increased.

As of Wednesday, July 1, Talbot County had 133 cases; 20 percent of those in the last 12 days. Meanwhile, the county’s 7-day average positivity rate rose from 0.5% to 3.4%.

Talbot’s health officer says more cases have been linked to social gatherings and warns that local residents relaxing their safety precautions is a major factor in the upticks.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over,” Dr. Fredia Wadley, Talbot County health officer, says. “We need to stop pretending that it is.”

Wadley joins the chorus of health officials warning that relaxed restrictions and increased travel over the July 4th holiday will accelerate an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Until recently, the number of new cases in Talbot County was low in comparison to surrounding counties on the Eastern Shore and other rural counties around the state. But the county’s numbers have surged in the past week, with an additional 21 confirmed cases. The county added 4 more cases today.

“We did not even have a week with that many cases in the first wave that peaked in May,” Wadley says.

Despite the alarming increase, Talbot’s positivity rate remains below Maryland’s average. As of June 30, the state’s seven-day average positivity rate was 4.72%.

While Talbot County’s growing numbers are partially related to increased testing, the rise in cases is also being caused by a return to “business as usual” for many. Adherence to social distancing measures and mask usage have dropped as businesses have reopened.

“We are finding more confirmed cases of COVID-19 related to family reunions, trips to the beach, and other social gatherings,” Dr. Wadley confirms. “But it’s not just where you have been that increases your risk of infection. It’s where everyone within six feet of you has been over the past two weeks — especially if those people were not wearing facial coverings.

“Anyone who has been part of a large group event, visited a crowded beach or boardwalk, had a recent
commercial air flight, participated in multiple smaller but varied social groups over the past two weeks, or has a household member that has done any of these should consider being tested,” she adds.

Corey Pack, Talbot County Council president

Talbot County Council President Corey Pack urges residents to remain vigilant over the holiday weekend and throughout the coming weeks as the virus remains a threat.

“We are asking our citizens to listen to the health experts and take their advice seriously,” he says. “The recommended precautions are fairly simple, but they can save your life or the life of a loved one.”

Maryland’s number of new COVID-19 cases is holding steady, but other states have not been as fortunate. Last week, 29 states and U.S. territories were showing an increase in the number of new cases. Some of those states are concerned about their surge capacity because of the increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, a statistic that typically lags behind the increase of new cases.

“Since we have no really effective drugs for COVID-19, the world is praying for an effective vaccine by the first part of 2021,” Wadley says. “Even if we are fortunate and have a vaccine by then, it will take months to vaccinate those willing to be vaccinated. Until then, we only have non-pharmaceutical interventions proven to prevent many cases of COVID-19. Those include social or physical distancing, wearing facial covering, and good hand hygiene.

“We have the testing capability now to test when anyone has symptoms,” Wadley says. “We have the
contact tracing capacity for another surge. We have the surge capacity at our hospital and adequate stores of personal protective equipment. Unfortunately, it appears that we may need all of these if we continue to pretend that the pandemic is over.”

The Talbot County Health Department’s testing site at Easton High School is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Identification confirming Talbot County residency is required. Call 410-819-5632 for an appointment. There is no charge for the testing.

For complete updates on Talbot County’s coronavirus response, visit www.talbotcovid19.org.

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update July 2

July 2, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Key points for today

• Talbot County cases increased by 2 to 133, according to the county health department.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 68,423, an increase of 505 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 3,086 deaths, 9 were in the last 24 hours; another 126 deaths in Maryland are likely due to the novel coronavirus.

* Maryland and Cecil County report the total released from isolation.

Key metrics

• There currently are 441 people hospitalized — 292 in acute care and 149 in intensive care.

• The total number of currently hospitalized patients decreased by 20 in the last 24 hours.

For additional COVID-19 graphics and links to resources, click here.

Additional information

• Of the 13,657 test results received on June 30, 4.6% tested positive for COVID-19; the 7-day average positivity rate was 4.76%.

• A total of 675,929 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Maryland. The state reports 484,752 total negative test results, including 10,066 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 68,423 cases, 10,939 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment; 5,013 have been released from isolation.

The graph below shows the total cases, total ever hospitalized, and total deaths statewide.

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update July 1

July 1, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Key points for today

• Talbot County cases increased by 2 to 133, according to the county health department.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 67,918, an increase of 359 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 3,077 deaths, 15 were in the last 24 hours; another 128 deaths in Maryland are likely due to the novel coronavirus.

* Maryland and Cecil County report the total released from isolation.

Key metrics

• There currently are 461 people hospitalized — 307 in acute care and 154 in intensive care.

• The total number of currently hospitalized patients increased by 9 in the last 24 hours.

• Despite slight increases in hospitalized patients the past two days, the 7-day and 14-day rolling averages for those currently hospitalized continues to decline.

For additional COVID-19 graphics and links to resources, click here.

Additional information

• Of the 9,565 test results received on June 30, 4.61% tested positive for COVID-19; the 7-day average positivity rate was 4.72%.

• A total of 662,266 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Maryland. The state reports 474,686 total negative test results, including 6,390 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 67,918 cases, 10,902 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment; 5,001 have been released from isolation.

The graph below shows the total cases, total ever hospitalized, and total deaths statewide.

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update June 30

June 30, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Key points for today

• Talbot County cases remain at 131, according to the county health department.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 67,559, an increase of 305 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 3,062 deaths, 14 were in the last 24 hours; another 128 deaths in Maryland are likely due to the novel coronavirus.

* Maryland and Cecil County report the total released from isolation.

Key metrics

• There currently are 452 people hospitalized — 300 in acute care and 152 in intensive care.

• The total number of currently hospitalized patients increased by 5 in the last 24 hours.

• Despite slight increases in hospitalized patients the past two days, the 7-day and 14-day rolling averages for those currently hospitalized continues to decline.

For additional COVID-19 graphics and links to resources, click here.

Additional information

• Of the 8,682 test results received on June 29, 4.71% tested positive for COVID-19; the 7-day average positivity rate was 4.81%.

• A total of 652,701 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Maryland. The state reports 468,296 total negative test results, including 6,237 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 67,559 cases, 10,844 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment; 4,982 have been released from isolation.

The graph below shows the total cases, total ever hospitalized, and total deaths statewide.

Midshore Veterinary Service Opens New Veterinary Hospital

June 30, 2020 by Spy Desk 1 Comment

Midshore Veterinary Service in Easton has opened a new veterinary hospital at 605 Dutchman’s Lane, in the newly expanded space that previously served as a pediatrician’s office. The new clinic is three times as large as the practice’s space at 602 Dutchman’s Lane.

According to Dr. Steven Harris, DVM, veterinarian and owner, the new building’s capacity offers the staff the opportunity to better serve clients and provide quality care for patients. Harris has been in practice in Easton since 1994. He adds, “We had outgrown the space across the street. It was time to invest in a state-of-the-art facility which is designed with efficiency and patient comfort in mind.”

The new 6,199 square-foot building boasts six exam rooms, digital radiology, digital dental radiology, ultrasound, laser therapy, and indoor kennel runs. According to Amber Tatman, Practice Manager for Midshore Veterinary Service, who also served as the project manager for the new building, “We were striving to create a warm and inviting lobby and reception area for pet owners, with the clinical rooms in the back of the building. The medical wing in the back is almost as large as the original footprint of the building giving staff plenty of room from which to care for our animals.”

Photo: Back row, L-R, the staff of Midshore Veterinary Service in Easton in front of their new facility: Monica Sewell, Anja Cawley, Mandy Ebling, Dr. Jennifer Kerns, Dr. Steven Harris, Amber Tatman, Natalie Schmidt, Dr. Erin Riggin, and Megan Outten. Front row, L-R, Kayla Rex, Becky Caldwell, Claire Dowd, Taylor Dorrell, Chelsea Bees, and Mollie Dove.

Bruce Harrington of Harrington Construction was the contractor for the new building, working with architect Pam Gardner, AIA. He comments, “This is the first veterinary clinic I have built, but I have spent a lot of time in veterinary clinics as I have four dogs myself. We were able to take an existing building and repurpose it. It was important to understand all of the nuances involved that would make the staff’s lives easier, but we worked as a team to solve the challenges. I am absolutely thrilled with the results.”

Jennifer Kerns, DVM, a veterinarian with the practice adds, “We will now have the space to provide better care for our clients, including expanded treatment areas and improved services like our x-ray equipment, as well as the ability to board more animals. These upgrades are tremendous.”

To celebrate the opening of the new facility, Dr. Harris invited Carolyn Hanger of Easton, his first client in 1994 when he opened his practice in Easton to be his first client in the new building. Dr. Harris has known Mrs. Hanger since he as eight years old when he was a pet sitter for her dogs and cats in Potomac. His family lived near the Hanger family and it was his first foray into animal care. Mrs. Hanger brought her cat to Dr. Harris when he first opened his practice in 1994. This week, she brought her Labrador retriever, Punkin, making them the first official clients in the new building. She comments, “I think this building is just great! I can’t get over how big it is!”

Tatman adds, “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to oversee this project and gain both experience and knowledge. I am extremely proud of our new facility and excited to share it with our community.”

Midshore Veterinary Service is committed to promoting responsible pet ownership, preventative health care, and health-related educational opportunities for its clients. For further information, visit http://midshoreveterinaryservice.vetstreet.com or call 410-820-9229.

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Spy COVID-19 Daily Update June 29

June 29, 2020 by Spy Desk 2 Comments

Key points for today

• Talbot County cases increased by 6 to 131.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 67,254, an increase of 477 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 3,048 deaths, 6 were in the last 24 hours; another 127 deaths in Maryland are likely due to the novel coronavirus.

* Maryland and Cecil County report the total released from isolation.

Key metrics

• There currently are 447 people hospitalized — 287 in acute care and 160 in intensive care.

• The total number of currently hospitalized patients increased by 1 in the last 24 hours, the first increase since May 27.

• The number of new cases and additional deaths per day also continues to decline or plateau.

For additional COVID-19 graphics and links to resources, click here.

Additional information

• Of the 12,536 patients tested on June 28, 4.74% tested positive for COVID-19; the 7-day average positivity rate was 4.84%.

• A total of 644,026 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Maryland. The state reports 462,059 total negative test results, including 9,363 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 67,254 cases, 10,822 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment; 4,979 have been released from isolation.

The graph below shows the total cases, total ever hospitalized, and total deaths statewide.

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