February 20th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

The Allegany County Health Department reports that, to date, 9,165 Allegany County residents (13.0% of the county population) have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine with 4,155 (5.9%) having received both doses.  Comparatively, the Maryland Department of Health reports that 11.7% of all Marylanders have received their first vaccine dose, and 5.1% have received both doses.  With both the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, two doses are required for persons to be considered fully vaccinated.

 

Recent severe winter weather has caused disruptions not only in the local clinic schedules, but also with the supply chain for vaccine shipment.  “Severe winter weather across the United States continues to affect the federal government’s shipments of COVID-19 vaccines to providers in Maryland and other states,” state officials said in a release on Thursday.

 

“Here in Allegany County, we continue to get vaccines out to our population as quickly as receive them,” stated ACHD spokesperson Brenda Caldwell.  “However, with limited vaccine availability further complicated by weather conditions impacting delivery schedules, this process will take some time.  We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as we work toward vaccinating our entire population, beginning with our most vulnerable community members.”

 

Caldwell went on to say that all county residents are encouraged to complete the online vaccine interest form at health.maryland.gov/allegany so that either the health department or UPMC Western Maryland can contact individuals when it is their turn to receive the vaccine.  Filling out that short form eliminates the need for individuals to keep checking with health agencies and local senior centers for announcements on appointment availability.  However, it may take several weeks or more before individuals receive a call to set up their appointment.

 

“Once you have submitted the online interest form, rest assured that you will be contacted as soon as vaccine is available for you,” Caldwell stated.

 

ACHD reports 13 new COVID cases, bringing the county’s cumulative case count to 6,382.  No additional deaths were recorded.  The current case rate in Allegany County is 6.9 cases per 100,000 population, less than half of the state average of 14.17 cases per 100,000 population.  Allegany’s positivity rate is now at 2.79% while the statewide average is 4.12%.