County Executive Barry Glassman issued the following weekly update on COVID-19 in Harford County:
“As of this morning, the Maryland Department of Health is reporting a total of 289 cases of COVID-19, three deaths and six probable deaths among Harford County residents. This includes outbreaks among residents and staff reported by two nursing homes in the county: Bel Air Health & Rehabilitation Center and Forest Hill Health & Rehabilitation Center.
Just as we have seen elsewhere in the state and nation, seniors in congregate living facilities are particularly vulnerable. Our state and local health departments continue to work closely with these facilities to provide guidance and resources. However, they expect the number of positive cases in nursing homes will rise exponentially with a coming ramp up in testing.
Daily updates on Harford County cases by ZIP code are posted on our COVID-19 resource page.
New online services
Harford County’s Community Mediation Program is going “virtual” in response to COVID-19 by replacing in-person mediations with teleconferencing. This free program can help resolve conflict and find win-win solutions for families, neighbors, landlords, tenants, employees and employers. Mediation is confidential, guided by trained mediators, and a path to peace of mind in these stressful times. For more information, please call 410-638-4807 or visit our website at www.harfordcountymediation.org.
Gov. Hogan’s stay-at-home orders required the suspension of our parks and recreation programs, but now we’re bringing some of that programming home to you, online. At Home with Harford County Parks & Recreationis a video series on the county website where you can learn sign language, watch “critter feeding time,” practice soccer drills and more. Check back often as our parks and recreation staff are making new videos all the time. Remember our parks are also open, with a few exceptions, so enjoy some outdoor time as long as you take precautions and maintain social distancing.
Harford County’s ePermit Center remains open for business and continues to bring more services online during this crisis. Inspections are moving forward with social distancing and residential permit applications can now be processed online from start to finish for plumbing, mechanical, and fuel gas. In most cases we provide next day approvals and applicants can pay online. Feedback from ePermit Center customers has been very positive and I want thank our county employees who haven’t missed a beat in delivering outstanding service to our citizens.
In fact, we appreciate all of Harford County’s essential workers, medical personnel and first responders who are on the front lines in this public health crisis. This week we placed a banner on our administrative building at 220 S. Main Street in Bel Air to say thanks, and we posted an image on the Harford County Government Facebook page that anyone can share to join the effort.
In closing, I know we are all eager for the state to reopen when it’s safe to do so. While I expect the process will be gradual and social distancing will continue to be a way of life for a while, l look forward to Gov. Larry Hogan’s announcement later today on a roadmap to recovery. Thanks & be safe.”
Note: Public health officials have corrected information on the first Harford County death from COVID-19 to remove a history of travel to New York.
