by Geoff Fox
Hancock News
On Tuesday, March 31, Washington County had a total of 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders. There were also seven cases of non-county residents who tested positive.
By Wednesday, April 1, that number had jumped to 27 cases in Washington County.The number of cases of non-county residents rose to 12.
Those non-resident cases mean someone from outside Washington County who was tested there, but might live in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, or another county in Maryland.
The county’s Department of Emergency hasd received permission through the Maryland Department of Human Services to pre-position FEMA trailers in preparation for a possible medical surge that could occur as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, county officials said.
There are two COVID-19 testing sites, both in Hagerstown. The first site is a drive-thru center located at 13620 Crayton Blvd, behind Meritus Medical Plaza with screenings Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The other is a walk-thru center located at 24 N. Walnut Street with screenings Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Patients must be pre-screened in order to get the testing.
Meritus Health is also continuing to offer telehealth visits, which allow patients to speak directly with a primary care provider to discuss health concerns. Those visits are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. To book a telehealth appointment at Meritus, visit their website – meritushealth.com.
The most up-to-date screening center criteria for COVID-19 tests, visitor restrictions at the hospital and closing and cancellations of events is also available on the website.