Governor Larry Hogan, in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), announced an additional $3.4 million in economic relief funds for the state’s commercial seafood industry through the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.The funding will support activities previously authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, for those...
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The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) announces it has millions of dollars in scholarships and COVID-19 relief funds available this Fall Semester to assist anyone who wants to attend CSM full-time or part-time in a degree pathway or for a workforce development certificate. The scholarships and financial assistance can be used for tuition, college...
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Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) has updated its face mask use requirements for all staff, students and visitors to schools, buildings, centers and all other CCPS facilities. Effective Friday, July 30, 2021, mask use is now required for anyone inside a CCPS building. This applies to everyone, including individuals already vaccinated against COVID-19. As...
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NAS Patuxent River leadership announced July 29 the requirement for all on the installation to wear face masks while in buildings on base and government vehicles regardless of vaccination status effective immediately per the Department of Defense’s “Updated Mask Guidance for all DoD Installations and Other Facilities” dated July 28. The move follows the...
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NAS Patuxent River transitioned from Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Alpha to HPCON Bravo as of 5 p.m. July 28. NAS Patuxent River joins other installations within Naval District Washington to shift back to HPCON Bravo as a result of rising COVID cases. HPCONs are protocols for public health emergencies, such as a pandemic. Commanders...
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Ongoing surveillance of local COVID-19 data by the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) has shown a recent increase in several key indicators, including: Total cases of COVID-19 in St. Mary’s County residents: 7,536 (+85 in past 7 days) Number of Breakthrough Cases: 63 (+19 in the past 7 days, 43% increase) Identified Variants...
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Due to limited testing volume, the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) COVID-19 testing will no longer be offered at the School-Based Health Centers at Spring Ridge and Margaret Brent Middle Schools after Friday, July 9, 2021. Effective Monday, July 12, 2021, COVID-19 testing will be offered with extended summer hours at the SMCHD...
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The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) is reminding Marylanders of deadlines for products that expired during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as operational changes impacting branch offices and Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) stations in observance of Independence Day. All branch offices and VEIP stations closed Saturday, July 3, and...
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The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) has been notified of the first identified Delta variant case of the COVID-19 virus in St. Mary’s County. The Delta variant thus far appears to be highly transmissible and may be more likely to cause severe illness, including among unvaccinated youth. Elsewhere in the country and across...
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Naval Air Station announced June 25 that the installation is now in Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Alpha. Commanders and public health personnel use HPCON levels to guide specific actions personnel can take in response to a health threat. While it’s always important to prevent the spread of germs, there are additional steps you can...
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Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland is reporting zero new COVID-19 deaths for the first time since October 18, 2020. This is another major milestone as the state emerges from the pandemic. New Cases Under 50 For First Time Since March 23, 2020. The state is reporting 42 new confirmed...
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Governor Larry Hogan today announced the end of the COVID-19 state of emergency in the State of Maryland. As of today, Maryland has surpassed 6.5 million vaccinations, and the positivity rate is a record-low 0.82%. “Thanks in large part to the hard work, the sacrifices, and the vigilance of the people of Maryland, we...
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The La Plata Police Department is sponsoring a community walk/clean up day through the Kent Avenue Corridor this Saturday, June 12, 2021, from 9:30 a.m., to 11:30 a.m. During the walk residents can meet elected officials, local law enforcement, faith-based leaders, representatives from local businesses, and non-profits. The Charles County Department of Health will...
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The Maryland Lottery has awarded a $40,000 prize in the $2 Million VaxCash Promotion to Charles County resident Tabatha Duckett, who visited Lottery Headquarters on June 8 to claim her prize. Duckett, the winner in the June 6 drawing, explained that after her initial surprise she was happy to have won a prize just...
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Today, for the first time since March 25, 2020, the State of Maryland is reporting under 100 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. This is another major milestone as the state emerges from the pandemic. 65 New Confirmed Cases. The state is reporting 65 new cases of COVID-19. One month ago today, the state reported 939 new cases....
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Naval Air Station’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), Commissary, Navy Exchange, and other services announced updates to some of their programming following new DoD COVID guidelines. “We’re thrilled to be able to reopen some programs and expand others to our patrons while safely operating in a COVID environment,” said Jeff Sias, NAS Patuxent River...
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Governor Larry Hogan joined the Maryland Department of Commerce Office of Tourism to encourage Maryland travelers to reconnect and recharge in the State of Maryland. From traveling along one of the state’s 18 scenic byways, to enjoying Maryland’s Outdoor Collection, or navigating the waters of the Chesapeake Bay with a certified Chesapeake Bay Storyteller on a guided water-based...
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Governor Larry Hogan announced in letters to General Assembly leaders that, in accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, he has vetoed the following legislation passed during the 2021 legislative session: HB 1322 – Primary and Secondary Education – School Personnel Not Returning to In-Person Instruction and Work – Accommodations and...
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The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) has achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). PHAB is the nonprofit organization that administers the national accreditation program for health departments. Accreditation aims to advance and transform public health practice by championing performance improvement, evidence-based action, and innovation. “We are absolutely thrilled to...
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The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County held a joint meeting with St. Mary’s Metropolitan Commission (MetCom) Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in the Chesapeake Building in Leonardtown. MetCom, together with the Department of Public Works & Transportation, provided the Capital Projects Update with details on the Patuxent Park Revitalization Project, FDR Boulevard Project phase, Southampton...
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The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) celebrated 466 candidates for 480 associate degrees and 271 certificates during its 62nd Spring Commencement Ceremony, held May 14. The 2021 graduating class earned several exceptional characteristics, including having spent their last academic year participating in distance learning with limited in-person instruction. While the 2021 CSM graduates turned...
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Governor Larry Hogan announced an additional $192.9 million in funding has been awarded to local governments and service providers through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. These federal funds will support local Maryland Eviction Prevention Partnership initiatives that assist tenants whose ability to pay rent has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor also...
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Governor Larry Hogan today announced the end of the statewide mask mandate, aligning Maryland with new CDC guidance. This order will take effect Saturday, May 15, along with the lifting of all capacity limits and restrictions that the governor announced earlier this week. “Today is the day that so many of us have...
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On May 15, 2021, St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS), in partnership with St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD), will provide support to all prom events scheduled for SMCPS High Schools. In addition to precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, prom events will include activities to address young driver safety. Students will also have...
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Following authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use of Pfizer vaccine to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age, the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) is expanding eligibility for SMCHD vaccination clinics to include individuals ages 12 and older. Please note: the Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine...
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