Avoid Large Gatherings During Spring Religious Holidays: Ball

Ellicott City MD

02 April, 2021

12:26 PM

Description

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — In response to rising COVID-19 metrics, the Howard County Health Department and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball have released guidance for the community on staying safe during upcoming spring religious holidays. The guidance stems directly from recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As of March 30, both the county positivity rate (5.5 percent) and cases per 100,000 (19.2) are the highest they have been since early February when the winter virus surge was slowing down. The county case rate has increased 82.5 percent in the past 30 days. "As we've stated before, we're not out of the woods yet and the COVID-19 virus is still very much present in our community," Ball said. "While we've made great progress in vaccinations, a majority of our community is not yet protected and we must continue the practices we all know work at this point – wear a mask, keep your distance, avoid large gatherings and wash your hands. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we can't let up yet. Please do your part to protect yourself and your loved ones." Dr. Maura Rossman, Howard County Health Officer, described the increase in key COVID-19 metrics as "troubling." "It remains important to practice the same preventative measures we have been following for the last year and remind our friends and family to do the same," Rossman said. "We continue to encourage cautious celebration of upcoming religious holidays in order to control the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. We should all continue to wear masks, maintain physical distance, avoid travel and avoid large gatherings with friends and family." The Howard County Health Department recommends: Enjoying traditional meals with those who live with you.  Practicing religious holiday customs at home.  Preparing and delivering a meal to a neighbor.  Watching virtual religious and cultural performances.  Avoiding travel when possible.  If you plan to celebrate with others, outdoors is safer than indoors. Read more: Confirmed Coronavirus Case Total In Howard County Reaches 17,230 How Many Howard County Residents Have Been Vaccinated: March 31 COVID-19 Metrics Trending Upward: How To Get The Vaccine In HoCo