Despite early reports that many who contracted the COVID-19 virus had traveled to known hot spots, the majority of cases now are caused by coming into contact with someone who is infected.
“This infectious disease is passed by community transmission,” stresses Dr. Fredia Wadley, Health Officer for Talbot County. “I will say it again. Your best protection against an infection is social distancing, washing your hands, and wearing a mask in public. As Americans, we can’t quite get our minds around it, but the old, old practice of staying away from people who are infected is still the best way to avoid getting sick.”
Officials fear that residents are beginning to relax these preventive measures just as cases are continuing to rise.
“In Maryland, we had 788 new cases over the past 24 hours and our total number of confirmed cases is 11,572,” Dr. Wadley says. “We have not peaked and it will be a few weeks before we see a decline in cases.”
Tensions are growing with the continuation of the effort to keep people in their homes and safe. Some feel their personal rights have been restricted with the orders and recommendations for social distancing.
Businesses are facing growing financial losses and the threat of failure. Healthcare workers and frontline responders have increasing concerns not only for their own protection from the virus, but also they fear infecting their family members.
“Tempers are short and everyone is looking for a scapegoat to blame for this pandemic,” Dr. Wadley says. “But I would ask, how can we look at those figures and what is happening to the east and west of us and not recognize the threat that we are facing on the Eastern Shore from COVID-19?”
Residents should find no comfort in the fact that Talbot County has only 16 confirmed cases, Wadley continues. “The testing capability on the Eastern Shore has been less than in central Maryland,” she notes, “so we certainly have more undiagnosed cases. This has been pointed out repeatedly. The evidence that people do not perceive a significant threat to their health and lives is seen every day in the way they ignore our recommendations.
“We have no treatment or vaccine for this infection,” Dr. Wadley stresses. “All we have are the tried-and-true methods we’ve always had to protect ourselves. Some have not taken the message seriously, and I am at a loss of what to say to get them to listen and change their behaviors.”
Director of Emergency Service Clay Stamp agrees. “This is a critical time that we must hold firm in our efforts to avoid the spread of this disease through social distancing,” he says. “We must recognize there are increasing illnesses and deaths occurring to our west and our east. This is not a time for us to let our guard down.”
Anyone who has questions about the COVID-19 virus should call the Talbot County Health Department at 410-819-5600. An infection control nurse is on call 24 hours a day.
Talbot County Public Schools
The next TCPS meal distribution will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 21, at all school sites. The TCPS Instructional Technology Help Desk will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 21, and noon to 3 p.m. Friday, April 24, at Easton High School and St. Michaels Elementary School. Please email [email protected] for virtual support or to schedule a help desk appointment for iPads or laptops.
Many thanks to the volunteers who continue to support TCPS meal distribution. Since March 19, 395 people have given 1,008 hours of service to this important mission. The close partnerships and collaboration with agencies such as Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, Talbot County Department of Social Services and TCPS guidance counselors is truly having an impact.
We also have a process in place to screen emergency requests for delivery and are able to use volunteers to reach families whose circumstances prevent them from getting to a pickup site. These outreach efforts will continue as the crisis persists.
“I would like to thank the Academy Art Museum for donating art supplies that were distributed with meals,” said Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent. “We have children who are at home, taking care of each other while their parents perform essential work duties. Gifts like this make a tremendous difference in their days.”
Maryland Courts
An April 14th Administrative Order announces the extension of statewide court closures through June 5. Please find additional information via the following links:
www.mdcourts.gov/coronavirusupdate
www.mdcourts.gov/coronavirusinformationforpublic
Where to Find More Information:
• CDC COVID-2019 Website: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• Talbot County COVID-19 Information: www.talbotcovid19.org
• Shore Regional Health COVID Information: www.umms.org/shore/patients-visitors/coronavirus
• Maryland Department of Health Website: health.maryland.gov/pages/home.aspx
• Talbot County Health Department Website: health.maryland.gov/talbotcounty/Pages/home.aspx
• Maryland COVID-19 Website: governor.maryland.gov/coronavirus
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