June 15, 2020
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
Coronavirus Updates: Data Trends, Rec & Parks, Bike Share Reopening, Twin Freedoms Day
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County continues to see COVID-19 data trending in the right direction. Howard County Health Department now has 45 contract tracers working to trace and investigate COVID-10 confirmed cases in the county. Cited in the HoCo RISE plan, the Center for Health Security at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health estimated 15 contact tracers per 100,000 population needed. Howard County is still onboarding additional contact tracers.
“Having robust contact tracing, a stable supply of PPE at more than 30 days, and an increase of tests administered per day, a stark increase from 116 in April to 657 in June, puts us in a good position to allow further easing of restrictions on opening or operation of businesses, organizations, establishments, and facilities,” said County Executive Calvin Ball. “Our preparation is showing in our data, which is progressing in the right direction. The seven-day rolling average positivity rate peaked on April 29th at 28.2%; and, as of today, the seven-day rolling average positivity rate is 5.10%, below the state average of 6.55%.”
Ball continued, “Additionally, the seven-day rolling average for ventilator utilization has decreased from 24.4% a week ago to 13% today. The ICU utilization rate has remained flat at 52%, and acute care utilization has decreased from 91.3% to 78%. I strongly encourage residents to continue practicing physical distancing, wear face coverings when interacting with others, and frequently wash hands.”
For more data, visit Howard County’s COVID-19 dashboard here: https://bit.ly/3b5vqOO
Recreation & Parks Updates
Outdoor Youth Camps
Beginning Monday, June 29, Howard County Recreation and Parks will begin offering outdoor youth camps. Offerings for the first week of camps include Junior Development Tennis, Ultimate Sports and Games Outdoor Camp. All participants and staff will be required to follow physical distancing and face covering guidelines where appropriate. For a list of confirmed outdoor camps for this summer, visit this page.
Online Youth Camps
Howard County Recreation and Parks will also continue to offer online programs keeping resident’s safety in mind. This includes Robinson Nature Center’s Camp Came To Me - Lil’ Acorns and Lil’ Pinecones online camps and our five day Enchanted Engineering camp. For a growing list of online camps, visit this page.
Online Programs for Youth, Adults and 55+
Finally, please visit At Home with HoCoRec page for the latest online classes and programs for participants of all ages. Topics include dance, cooking, art, fitness and more! To search for the latest programs by age, visit https://www.howardcountymd.gov/athomewithhocorec.
For the latest updates on new programs, reopening Recreation and Parks amenities and other important announcements, be sure to visit www.howardcountymd.gov/rap or visit their Facebook or Twitter pages.
Bike Share
Howard County’s Bikeshare program is relaunching on June 22. The operations team is disinfecting bikes and kiosks daily according to CDC guidelines and encouraging members to do their part to reduce the spread by:
• Disinfecting the handles and saddle before and after using a bike
• Disinfecting the kiosk screen before and after use
• Washing hands with water and soap frequently and ideally before and after riding
Twin Freedoms Day
Thanks to the response of countless volunteers, donors, and advocates, Foreign Born Information and Referral Network (FIRN) will sponsor Twin Freedoms Day on June 20, 2020, in advance of Independence Day on the 4th of July.
Twin Freedoms Day will center on:
1. Freedom from Illness - COVID Testing thanks to the Millennium Family Practice
2. Freedom from Hunger – Food distribution thanks to the Maryland Food Bank
What is Twins Freedoms Day? On Twin Freedoms Day, FIRN will provide at least 150 immigrant families with COVID testing and food. The Ellicott City Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has graciously offered to host the event, ensuring we have a site that is safe and allows participants to remain in their cars while being tested and picking up food. In addition, participants will be provided other resources by partners who have yet to formally sign on but from whom we will hear soon.
Each participant/family be handed a survey card with a self-addressed stamped envelope which will provide FIRN with feedback on the event. In addition, participants will receive information on other services provided by FIRN, including legal services.
Location: Twin Freedoms Day will be held at the Church of Latter-day Saints of Jesus Christ, located at 4100 St. John’s Lane, near Rt. 100 and Montgomery Road.