COVID-19 Update: Prince George’s County Implements New COVID-19 Safety Measures
Dear Prince Georgians:
Last week I announced that the County will implement new COVID-19 safety measures for certain businesses in response to continued increases in key COVID-19 metrics. This decision was made under the advice of our County health officials after analyzing COVID-19 data and trends over the past few weeks.
Starting Wednesday, December 16 at 5:00 PM, indoor dining at restaurants must close. Indoor dining is also prohibited at banquets, receptions and meeting rooms in hotels, conference centers and similar establishments. Outdoor dining will be allowed at 50% capacity, and restaurants can still offer curbside and takeout services. In addition, the casino will be limited to 25% capacity. Finally, all retail must reduce capacity to 25%. All businesses must still continue to follow additional safety guidelines, such as enforcing physical distancing and wearing face coverings. These new measures will remain in effect through January 16, and the County will continue to monitor COVID-19 data and metrics in the coming days and weeks to determine if these measures should be extended.
These new guidelines were developed based on data from contact tracing and in response to continued increases in key COVID-19 metrics. The County’s positivity rate is now above 10%, sitting at 10.1% for the week of November 29. The County’s infection rate is sitting at 1.10 as of December 1, which places the County at the border of the “high risk” category.
In addition, the County saw the highest number of new cases in one week throughout the entire pandemic, with 2,908 new COVID-19 cases for the week of November 29. The County’s average daily case rate for that same week was 45.7 new cases per day per 100,000 residents, which places the County in the “critical risk” category. Finally, hospital capacity has decreased since the Thanksgiving holiday, with only around 49% of beds available.
As you can see, our COVID-19 metrics continue to trend in the wrong direction, which requires us to take additional actions to keep Prince Georgians safe. To help support our restaurants, I am allocating an additional $1.6 million to our Restaurant Resiliency Fund, with the primary goal of helping restaurants retain their employees. The new funding will be awarded, and prioritized, to restaurants that have already applied to the fund and need assistance retaining employees due to decreased capacity and the closure of indoor dining.
While we know there is a light at the end of the tunnel with the approval of COVID-19 vaccines, this pandemic is not over yet. We must not grow weary, and we must all continue to do our part to keep each other safe. That includes wearing a face covering, practicing physical distancing, avoiding gatherings with those outside of your immediate household, and washing your hands frequently.
However, I want you to know that when we begin to receive our first shipments of vaccines, we are ready to distribute it. We have developed a vaccination plan and will begin a public information campaign to educate the public and address any concerns from residents. We know that there may be some concern or hesitancy for residents to take this vaccine. Therefore, our goal is to ensure every Prince Georgian has the information they need to fully understand how the vaccine will protect them from COVID-19, so when it is widely available, every Prince Georgian will be “Proud to be Protected.”
Our campaign will involve tele-town halls, virtual forums, infographics, a new webpage devoted to the COVID-19 vaccine, and other communications tools to keep you informed and answer any questions you may have. Our first tele-town hall will be held this Thursday, December 17 at 7:00 PM. We will provide updates on our vaccination plan and answer questions and concerns from the community. To register for the tele-town hall, or to submit your questions or concerns, please click here.
Finally, last week I was also proud to announce that a regional partnership of hospitals in Prince George’s County and surrounding jurisdictions have been awarded two multimillion-dollar grants from the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC). The regional partnership in Prince George’s County was the only partnership in the State of Maryland to receive dual funding from the HSCRC.
The first regional partnership grant we received includes nearly $23 million to increase behavioral health (mental health and substance use disorder) services in Prince George’s County, the second largest amount awarded in the State by the HSCRC and the largest behavioral health award to any single County. The grant will allow the County to expand its mobile crisis teams, reducing response times when they are needed for behavioral health crises.
Other activities that will be funded through the behavioral health grant include technological enhancements to the Crisis Call Center, the implementation of wraparound care coordination services for high-risk individuals, the creation of a crisis receiving and stabilization center where individuals can receive timely care coordinated by behavioral health professionals, and transportation services through the mobile crisis teams and taxi/rideshare services to help residents access behavioral health resources.
The second regional partnership grant includes more than $7 million to enhance diabetes care and prevention in Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties. The grant was awarded in part due to the successful implementation of the PreventionLink program through the Prince George’s County Health Department, which integrates clinical practice with evidence-based public health programs to prevent or delay development of type 2 diabetes in people at risk. This program is also bringing together stakeholders in chronic disease care with a shared goal of reducing the burden of diabetes, hypertension, and stroke in underserved areas.
The grant itself provides funding for the expansion and support of additional DPPs (diabetes prevention programs) and DSMT (diabetic self-management training) programs, many of which are community-based. The grant also provides funding for outreach to clinical providers to support electronic referrals to prevention programs and train them in new screening guidelines to better measure pre-diabetes, as well as outreach to patients through a social marketing campaign for screening and education on chronic disease. Finally, funding is provided to increase wraparound services for patients, including help with transportation to healthcare appointments, financial support for the purchase of prescriptions, and assistance to apply for health benefits.
Both grants will be overseen by Totally Linking Care in Maryland (TLC-MD), a coalition of hospitals in counties across Southern Maryland. TLC-MD focuses on projects that allow member hospitals to amplify their impact by working together to improve the health of the communities they serve and positively improve the healthcare delivery system in their regions. TLC-MD’s original work established the importance of partnering with community-based organizations, transitional care RNs, and community health worker programs to reduce hospital readmissions, total cost of care, and most importantly, improve patient outcomes.
I want to thank Dr. Carter, Dr. Billina Shaw and our Health Department, as well as Dave Chernov of TLC-MD, for helping write and secure these grants. I also want to thank our hospital system partners participating in these grants, including Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center, Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (diabetes only), MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital (diabetes only), and University of Maryland Capital Region Health.
We know that during this pandemic, behavioral health issues have increased, and members of our community were uniquely vulnerable to this virus due to chronic diseases like diabetes. These grants will help us take action to correct some of the healthcare disparities that we have seen in communities like ours. As we work to recover from this virus, we will work to improve the health and well-being of our residents so we never find ourselves in this same position again.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
COVID-19 Testing Updates
 The County Health Department is transitioning COVID-19 testing from the Cheverly Health Center to the rear parking lot of the County Health Department Headquarters at 1701 McCormick Drive, Largo, MD. Testing operations at the Health Department’s Headquarters will begin today, December 14.
In addition, the County Health Department has added a new partner site for COVID-19 testing. The Roseu Medical Center will provide tests Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12 noon at 14402 Baltimore Avenue, Laurel, MD. Patients must make an appointment online or by calling 301-604-8000. To learn more about COVID-19 testing through the County Health Department, and to find a full list of testing sites in the County, please click here.
Stand Up & Deliver
 We are continuing to work hard to address food insecurity in our County, and we want to provide information on upcoming distribution locations for our Stand Up & Deliver program.
Friday, December 18 at 12:30 PM (Prepared Meals)
- Beltsville Seventh Day Adventist - 4220 Ammendale Road, Beltsville, MD
- Faith Temple No. 2 Free Will Baptist Church - 211 Maryland Park Dr, Capitol Heights, MD
Monday, December 21 at 12:30 PM (Groceries)
- St Paul Church - 6419 Marlboro Pike, Forestville, MD
Tuesday, December 22 at 12:00 PM (Prepared Meals)
- Community of Hope A.M.E. Church - 3737 Branch Avenue, Temple Hills, MD
- First Baptist Church of District Heights - 7234 Lansdale Street, District Heights, MD
Additional food distribution locations can be found on our website by clicking here. This map is updated regularly. If you are able to make a contribution to our Stand Up & Deliver program, please click here to donate.
COVID-19 Holiday Guidance
 With the upcoming holiday season, we want to remind every resident of the Health Department’s COVID-19 holiday guidance. The Health Department advises against holiday gatherings with those outside of your immediate household. Instead, consider holding virtual gatherings with family and friends, such as a virtual holiday dinner. Also, if you plan to do any holiday shopping, consider shopping online rather than in person. For full holiday guidance from our Health Department, click here.
Chief Information Officer Wanda Gibson Receives National Award
 Our County’s Chief Information Officer, Wanda Gibson, has been announced as a winner of the second annual LocalSmart Awards, a program created to highlight the inspirational people and projects making city, county and municipal governments more efficient and effective. The LocalSmart Awards, launched in 2019 by StateScoop, honor the individuals and projects that transform local government and make a difference in residents’ lives. These awards celebrate the achievements of those who work to make a lasting impact in the government IT community.
CIO Gibson was recognized for her leadership and vast experience with the Office of Information Technology (OIT), applying thought leadership in revamping tech opportunities, strategy, delivery and operations. She led OIT’s round-the-clock diligence in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, seamlessly expanding the virtual government landscape for teleworking to accommodate additional business needs and remote capabilities, which allowed the government to continue operating virtually. In addition, OIT has many virtual, government-related accomplishments over the past year in the areas of digital workplace, public engagement and user experience under CIO Gibson’s leadership.
Please join us in congratulating CIO Wanda Gibson on this tremendous achievement!
Office of Human Resources Management Wins 2020 Cigna Well-Being Award
 Cigna has selected Prince George's County Government’s “Level Up” Program as a recipient of the 2020 Well-Being Award, recognizing our passion and investment in County Government employee health. This award highlights companies in various industries that change the workplace culture through leadership, organizational foundation, policy and environment, program implementation, and participation. Companies receiving a Well-Being Award each demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the health and well-being of their employees.
We want to congratulate and thank our Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM) Director, Shawn Stokes, as well as the entire OHRM team for their hard work to win this national recognition!
Health Department Receives Award for COVID-19 Response
The COVID Care program of the County Health Department recently won a national award.
The County Health Department has been recognized as a 2020 Health Quality Innovator of the Year. The Health Quality Innovator Awards are the Health Quality Innovators’/Health Quality Innovation Network’s annual recognition program. This year, health care providers and organizations are being honored for their innovative approaches or technologies to address COVID-19.
The Health Department created a program called “COVID Care” to support residents particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 and those who have been exposed or tested positive for the virus. Those who qualify receive assistance from a community health worker to address needs including health insurance, medical and mental health care, social services, utility assistance, and food/groceries. So far, the program has served just over 2,000 County residents.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, please email COVIDCare@co.pg.md.us.
Department of Parks & Recreation Recognized for COVID-19 Response
Aquatics International Magazine's 2020 Best of the Best recognized the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Aquatics and Athletic Facilities Division for its COVID-19 Response and Reopening Plan. The publication recognized the top 10 aquatic teams across the country that have adapted to increase safety, inclusion, and satisfaction among visitors, community, and staff during the pandemic.
The Department's actions around diversity and providing access made it stand out. Some of the efforts that supported diversity included allowing cash payments at some of the facilities, allowing lap and general recreation swimming to accommodate less advanced swimmers, and incorporating input from the facility managers in developing the plan.
Read the full article at M-NCPPC 2020 Best of Aquatics.
Upcoming Events from the Department of Parks & Recreation
 Grab ‘N Go Meals will be distributed to seniors (ages 60 and better) and individuals with disabilities (ages 18 and up) on Wednesday, December 16 from noon to 2:00 PM at seven locations across the County. Free meals will include a special holiday dinner and a bag of groceries. Register here or call 301-265-8699; TTY 301-699-2544.
The Department of Parks and Recreation is also searching for the most festive homes in Prince George’s County this holiday season. Show your holiday spirit by decorating your house and entering the first annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest. Winners will be announced and featured on the Department’s Facebook page (@pgparks) on Monday, December 21, 2020. Click here for more information.
In addition, join the Department for a free audio performance of “A Christmas Carol.” Step back in time to Victorian London for a magical tale of ghosts, a change of heart, and the true meaning of the holidays. Learn more here.
Finally, the Department continues to host the Festival of Lights. To avoid longer than usual wait times, we encourage the public to attend the festival on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evening. On Saturday and Sunday, please arrive before 6:00 PM to avoid long wait times. Route 193 is the main entrance to the festival. No left turns are allowed from Route 202 towards Route 214 (must make a U-Turn onto Route 193 to enter). Purchase tickets today at pgparksdirect.com.
Home for the Holidays - Holiday Photo Challenge
 Home for the Holidays is a social campaign designed to boost engagement and excitement around the County this season. Join us in spreading joy throughout our digital space by showcasing your holiday decor and traditions! Many of us have struggled this year and for those who haven’t been able to spend time with family and friends, this campaign is designed to help fill that void as we come together as a community virtually.
Show us what Home for The Holidays looks like for you! Spinning off the original “Picture This” photo challenge from Experience Prince George’s, we are encouraging residents to invite us into their homes to share holiday traditions by submitting and tagging us in pictures via social media. The gallery will live on our website and various images will be reposted through our social media accounts. Tag us on social media (@ExperincePGC) or email us at info@experiencepgc.com.
Prince George’s County Celebrates Small Business Saturday
 Small Business Saturday is a national shopping holiday held the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year. In recognition of this national day, County Executive Alsobrooks issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, November 28, 2020 as Small Business Saturday in Prince George’s County, encouraging residents to safely support small business in the County. Even though Small Business Saturday is over, we still encourage residents to safely support small and local businesses throughout the year, especially during this holiday season. Learn more about how you can support small and local businesses in the County through the Economic Development Corporation’s Buy Prince George’s Initiative.
Open Enrollment Ends December 15
 Open enrollment for the State of Maryland continues through December 15. This is an opportunity for residents to enroll in health plans through the State exchange for 2021. Nine out of ten Marylanders who enroll in State plans receive some form of financial assistance. Learn more about health plans available and how you can enroll in one by the December 15 deadline here.
Over One Million Meals Served to Seniors During COVID-19 Pandemic
 The Prince George’s County Department of Family Services (DFS) has reached a monumental milestone by providing over one million meals to local seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in March, the Aging and Disability Services Division, Senior Nutrition Program staff have ensured the continued operations of the home delivered meal services to Prince George’s County seniors. Read more here.
FSC First 2020 Digital Annual Meeting
 FSC First would like to invite you to their 2020 Digital Annual Meeting! This meeting serves to highlight their FY20 highlights, and to celebrate those entities that are making a change in our community. This year has been all about Progressing on Purpose—learning to pivot in uncertain times and ensuring that you and your business are operating in the best shape possible. Interested in attending? Click here to register.
Pets During Winter
 Winter is here and it is important to protect our furry friends from cold and harsh conditions to prevent serious threats to their health. If it is too cold outside for you, it’s too cold for our pets. Help keep them warm and safe with these helpful safeguards! For more pet weather tips and County laws, click here.
Collection Schedule Changes for the Christmas and New Year Holidays
  County Government offices, with the exception of public safety agencies, will be closed on Friday, December 25, 2020 and Friday, January 1, 2021 in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays, respectively.
There will be no collection changes for yard trim on Mondays, and those receiving County trash and recycling collections on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Due to the holiday, residents receiving trash and recycling collection on Friday will move to Saturday for both weeks. For more information on waste collection services, visit environment.mypgc.us.
Inclement Weather Policy for Waste Collection
 As we prepare for inclement weather this winter, it is important to know the recycling and waste collection policies for our County. If severe weather conditions delay services for one day, those collections will occur after the following day’s regularly scheduled collections. For example, if weather prevents collection on your regularly scheduled Tuesday, then it will be collected after Wednesday’s regular collections. If a regular Friday collection is suspended, that collection will occur on Saturday. Missed yard trim collections on Mondays will be picked up the following Monday.
Residents scheduled with bulky trash appointments will be contacted and rescheduled within seven days. If severe weather conditions delay services for two consecutive days, collection will resume the following week on your regular day. For example, if weather prevents collection for Tuesday AND Wednesday collections, both Tuesday and Wednesday collections will be collected the following week.
The County will make every effort to post any information regarding delayed or suspended collections on the County’s website at mypgc.us or the Department of the Environment's website at environment.mypgc.us, or you may contact CountyClick 3-1-1.
NEWS: Employ Prince George’s Launches Access 2 Education Scholarship Fund
 Employ Prince George’s, Prince George’s County’s principal workforce development entity, has partnered with 2U, Inc., a Lanham-based education technology company, to launch a scholarship program that will build Prince George’s County’s pipeline of technical talent and put high-quality training programs within reach of residents from underrepresented backgrounds. The Access 2 Education Scholarship Fund will allow historically underrepresented candidates in tech the opportunity to enroll in 2U’s career accelerating boot camps in coding, data analytics and cybersecurity through local universities like George Washington University. Learn more about the new scholarship fund in a recent article from WTOP.
NEWS: Prince George’s County Serves 5,000 Families Ahead of Thanksgiving Holiday
 On Tuesday, November 24, 2020, we served more than 5,000 families across the County through the combined efforts of our Office of Community Relations’ Stuff-A-Truck program and our Stand Up & Deliver program, as well as the generosity of many sponsors and community members. County Executive Alsobrooks joined staff and volunteers to distribute Thanksgiving boxes at FedEx Field. Check out the live coverage from ABC7 here.
NEWS: Bill Milligan Annual Food Basket Program to Serve More Than 2,500 Families
 On December 7, 2020, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks joined our public safety team to kick off the 36th Annual Bill Milligan Food Basket Program. Due to the hard work of our public safety agencies and the generosity of so many in our community, this year’s program will serve more than 2,500 County families. Learn more from a recent WTOP article.
Takeout Tuesday Features Swahili Village in Beltsville
 The latest episode of our Economic Development Corporation’s “Takeout Tuesday” series features Swahili Village Bar and Grill, located in Beltsville. Swahili Village has been bringing African cuisine to Prince George’s County for the last 11 years. See the video here.
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