January 20th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

The Allegany County Health Department reported 143 new COVID cases in Allegany County and four additional deaths since Friday.  This brings the county’s cumulative case count to 5,982 with 169 deaths.  The current case rate in Allegany County is 37.13 cases per 100,000 population, while Maryland’s state average is currently 41.32 cases per 100,000 population.  Allegany’s positivity rate is now at 8.06%, while the statewide average is 7.76%. 

 

Currently, the health department is vaccinating Allegany County residents age 75 and older.  Next week we will continue with those vaccinations and begin vaccinations for education staff working in grades K-12.  This is in line with the Governor’s prioritization Phase 1B.  Allegany County, like other local jurisdictions, will not proceed to Phase 1C until we have completed Phase 1B.    

 

The Allegany County Health Department has been pushing vaccine out to the designated priority groups as quickly as we receive them.  With the recent announcement that UPMC Western Maryland will also be offering vaccines for those age 75 and older, the County’s progress toward Phase 1C will move even more quickly.

 

“We’re happy to see that the demand for the vaccine is high in our area, and we look forward to serving all of our population as soon as possible,” said Allegany County Health Officer Jenelle Mayer.  “We appreciate the community’s cooperation and patience as we work toward that goal.”

 

When additional vaccination priority groups open up, that information will distributed through local media and the health department website (https://health.maryland.gov/allegany) and social media (https://www.facebook.com/AlleganyHlthMD and https://twitter.com/AlleganyHltMD).