August 17, 2020
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – County Executive Calvin Ball is hosting a Health and Wellness Townhall on August 25, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Nine health professionals from the region will answer questions and discuss pressing health topics including COVID-19, behavioral and mental health, and innovations in healthcare. To register for the townhall via WebEx, please click here. To submit questions, please email townhall@howardcountymd.gov.
“As a community we’re still facing the worst public health crisis of our time, and COVID-19 is creating a domino effect of challenges on the health of our residents,” said Ball. “This crisis continues to exacerbate the cracks and ruptures in our systems, and we’ve gathered a diverse group of professionals to address your most pressing questions. We recognize how mental health support has suffered, the importance of accessible and affordable care, and the urgency of innovation in our healthcare. I hope you’ll join us for this vital discussion, so we can move the needle forward and provide a better quality of life for all in Howard County.”
Joining County Executive Ball are:
- Denise Giuliano, Executive Director of NAMI Howard County
- Dr. Matthew Levy, Medical Director for Howard County Fire and Rescue Services
- Dr. Yvette Oquendo-Berruz, Medical Director at CareFirst and Horizon Foundation Board Member
- Lisa Pearson, LCSW-C, Director of Behavioral Health Services at Chase Brexton and Horizon Foundation Board Member
- Dr. Patricia Pugh, Deputy Director of Emergency Medicine at Howard County General Hospital
- Dr. Maura Rossman, Howard County Health Officer
- Dr. Ralph Semmel, Director of Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
- Steve Snelgrove, President of Howard County General Hospital
- Dr. Celián Valero-Colón, One World Healthcare and Horizon Foundation Board Member
Record Low Positivity Rate
Howard County recorded a record low COVID-19 seven-day average positivity rate today of 2.95%. To date, Howard County has tested 19.4% of its population and is administering an average of 1,323 tests per day.
“Our positivity rates continue to trend downwards as the County increases testing and is well below the CDC and Governor’s goal of below 5%,” said County Executive Calvin Ball. “When we announced our HoCo RISE framework, one of our goals was to reach 6,500 tests per week. We are proud to have surpassed that goal for five consecutive weeks and reached 9,434 tests administered last week. This progress is encouraging but is not possible without our collective preventative measures. Please continue to keep up the good work. Keep wearing your mask, practicing physical distancing, and frequently washing your hands.”
Community Testing Sites
Howard County General Hospital is bringing testing for COVID-19 to neighborhoods around Howard County. Advanced registration is strongly encouraged. To learn more or register, visit www.bit.ly/j2bh-testing. For additional assistance call 410-740-7601.
- Saturday, August 22 | 8 – 11 a.m. at Glen Mar Church, 4701 New Cut Road, Ellicott City
- Saturday, August 29 | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia
- Wednesday, September 2 | 5 – 7:30 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 6151 Old Frederick Road, Mt. Airy
- Wednesday, September 9 | 5 – 7:30 p.m. at Kittamaqundi Community Church, 5410 Leaf Treader Way, Columbia
- Sunday, September 13 | 8 – 11 a.m. at St. John Baptist Church, 9055 Tamar Drive, Columbia
- Saturday, September 19 | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia
- Saturday, September 26 | 8 – 11 a.m. at Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia
- Saturday, October 3 | 8 – 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Guilford, 7504 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia
- Saturday, October 10 | 8 – 11 a.m. at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4100 St. John’s Lane, Ellicott City
- Sunday, October 25 | 8 – 11 a.m. at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4100 St. John’s Lane, Ellicott City
- Saturday, October 31 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Celebration Church, 7101 Riverwood Drive, Columbia