COUNTY WILL REVISE MASK MANDATE IF METRICS CONTINUE TO DECREASE CONSISTENTLY.
LARGO, MD – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Prince George’s County’s COVID-19 community transmission level remains “substantial” at 56.09 new cases a week per 100,000 residents. If the County drops to “moderate” transmission (below 50) for seven consecutive days, the County will revise its indoor mask mandate.
“The County has one of the higher vaccination rates in the nation with nearly 85% of eligible residents with at least one dose, while our COVID-19 community spread level is one of the lowest in Maryland and the Washington region,” said Prince George’s County Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services, and Education Dr. George L. Askew. “Prince Georgians have done incredible work protecting themselves and their communities to help us get to this point. If our numbers continue to decline and the case rate remains below 50 new weekly cases per 100,000 people for seven consecutive days, we will revise the mask mandate for indoor public settings.”
The County’s current indoor mask mandate was extended last week by a County Council Continuing Resolution, which is the same process that has been used since the start of the pandemic to extend Executive Orders issued by the County Executive. Although the Continuing Resolution extended the indoor mask mandate until December 9, 2021, the County Executive can issue an Executive Order to revise the mask mandate if the County’s COVID-19 metrics continue to decline.
To help further reduce the County’s transmission level, the Health Department urges residents 12 and older who have not received their COVID-19 vaccinations yet to do so as soon as possible. All three COVID-19 vaccines in the United States are free and available at County-operated clinics seven days a week, and no appointment is necessary. Free vaccines are also available at clinics operated by retail and grocery store pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and other health care providers countywide.
As a reminder, following the FDA’s emergency use authorization, the CDC’s official recommendation, and the State of Maryland’s approval, Prince George’s County residents in the following groups who received a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are eligible for a booster shot six months or more after completing their initial series:
Individuals 18 and older who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine are eligible for a booster shot if they were vaccinated two or more months ago.
Residents may self-attest at a clinic that they are eligible for a booster dose. Eligible individuals who prefer a vaccine brand may choose which one they receive as a booster dose, regardless of the brand they previously received.
Visit mypgc.us/COVIDvaccine for more information about COVID-19 vaccinations, including locations and hours of operation for vaccine clinics operated by the County and other public and private organizations.
*Regional case rate update (weekly cases per 100k population as of October 29):
Prince George’s County: 56.09
Anne Arundel County: 93.57
Baltimore City: 78.01
Charles County: 91.88
District of Columbia: 83.60
Howard County: 45.44
Montgomery County: 44.83
City of Alexandria: 70.25
Arlington County: 76.00
Fairfax County: 60.13
Prince William County: 94.19
Source: CDC
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