Frederick, MD – Frederick County agencies have opened up a Joint Information Center (JIC) to ensure coordination of public information during the COVID-19 response. The Frederick County Health Department is the lead agency for this effort and the JIC contains representatives from 18 other county government and partner organizations. The complete list of agencies who are part of the JIC is available at www.frederickcountymd.gov/jic. Media is asked to contact the JIC at jic@frederickcountymd.gov or 301-600-7662 for all COVID-19 related questions.
Agency Updates:
Frederick County Health Department:
The majority of Frederick County cases have not had travel history or a known connection with another positive case. This means that there is community spread of COVID-19 in Frederick County. With community spread, everyone is at some risk for COVID-19, and everyone is expected to stay at home as much as possible and take precautions.
All Frederick County residents are advised to take the following precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19:
Stay home: even if you’re feeling healthy, social distancing will help us stop the spread of COVID-19.
Stay safe: wash your hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home if you’re feeling ill.
Stay aware: get your news from reputable sources.
Stay calm: no need to panic, hoard, or listen to rumors. We will all get through this together.
-more- Frederick County Joint Information Center COVID-19 www.frederickcountymd.gov/JIC
JIC & Agency Updates/Page 2
Fire and Rescue Services:
The Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services will be implementing a new protocol from the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services System (MIEMSS) on Thursday, March 26, 2020. The Viral Syndrome Pandemic Triage Protocol allows EMS personnel the capability to determine if possible COVID-19 patients are candidates for home self-care. First responders dispatched to calls for patients that may be positive for the COVID-19 virus will initiate contact with the patient and, through an assessment and series of benchmarks, may determine the patient meets the requirement to remain at home under self-care. These patients will be provided with information and handouts on how they should be caring for themselves from their home and signs and symptoms they can watch for that may require further medical treatment. If the patient agrees with the assessment EMS personnel will follow up with them within 24 hours for an over the phone assessment.
These protocols were designed as a decision making tool to assist during a pandemic when critical care systems become overloaded. It is the intent of Frederick County Fire and Rescue Services that the care and service provided by first responders to the citizens of Frederick County will remain a top priority.
For more information:
Frederick County residents can call 866-411-6803 to reach our local 211 center with general questions about coronavirus or COVID19.
Accurate COVID-19 information is critical to the community. For the most current and accurate information about this situation, please refer to the following:
Frederick County Government: www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/coronavirus
Frederick County Health Department: health.frederickcountymd.gov/coronavirus
Maryland Department of Health (MDH): coronavirus.maryland.gov
Centers for Disease Control (CDC): coronavirus.gov
The above is a reprint of the March 25, 2020 News Release.
