Category: COVID-19

Fullerton Fireworks Canceled Again in 2021


For the second straight year, the Fullerton Fireworks have been canceled as a result of COVID-19.

The 4th of July Firework Display is held at the fields of Fullerton Elementary School. They released an official statement on their Facebook page about the cancellation and plans to return in 2022.

“Due to COVID restrictions we are unable to have our July 4th Celebration,” said a statement on the group’s Facebook page.

“We will be back in 2022 with an all day celebration Sponsored by Jerry’s Toyota starting at noon with music and food. See you then.”

The group was hopeful in mid March that the Fullerton Fireworks could be held, but made the cancellation on April 17th.

All of the local public parades, fireworks displays and festivals were canceled in 2020 as a result of COVID-19. There is hope as Dundalk and Kingsville announced that their parades will return this July.

BCPS High School Sports to Return Friday


Baltimore County Public Schools announced that high school sports will return this Friday. This will mark the first time in over a year that there will be high school sports competition in Baltimore County.

The High School Basketball State Semifinal were canceled last year when COVID-19 restrictions were announced last March. The 2020 Spring Season was shortly canceled and the Fall Sports Season was postponed from September to March.

Fall practices started on Feb. 13th and the first set of games were scheduled for Friday, March 5, but those games were canceled when it was announced the COVID-19 metric was too high to begin the season. It didn’t look to promising as the Winter Sports Season was canceled for the year in January.

This weekend, BCPS gave the green light for games to begin on Friday, March 12.

“Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) supports the safe return to athletic competition for student athletes. After continued consultation with staff from the Baltimore County Department of Health and an intense focus on mitigation strategies, BCPS will allow inner county competitive games beginning Friday, March 12,” said a statement from BCPS.

“This is possible because of new guidance from the Baltimore County Department of
Health, which provides flexibility from some aspects of the Centers for Disease Control guidelines. To aid and support the safety of our student athletes and staff, we will only allow one spectator per athlete when competition resumes. Information on how spectators can access a ticket will be forthcoming from each school’s athletics office. As always, we will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates and more information as necessary.”

BCPS Releases Details for Staff COVID Vaccines


Baltimore County Public Schools sent out a statement on COVID-19 vaccines and it’s availability for BCPS staff.

“We learned this afternoon that the earliest opportunity for some BCPS employees to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be Friday, Jan. 22. Due to our size and the unknown availability of the vaccine, we are organizing BCPS employees into priority groups. Over time, all BCPS employees will have the opportunity to register for the vaccine.

“The first priority group includes the highest contact employees: Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers, Infants and Toddlers teachers, staff at the Public Separate Day Schools, as well as bus drivers and attendants; nursing assistants; substitute nurses; pupil personnel workers; and related services, food services, and technology field staff.

“As soon as registration information is available, a registration link will be shared with staff in the first priority group. After registering, interested staff will either receive an appointment or be placed on a wait list in an email from the Baltimore County Department of Health.

“We continue to collaborate with the Baltimore County Department of Health, and we will provide updates as they are available.”

BCPS Updates Latest Reopening Plan for 2021


Baltimore County Public Schools has updated its Reopening Plan to include details about in-person instruction options for all students. Families will choose to continue virtual learning or to begin hybrid learning, with timing driven by local and state health metrics.

The newly added information pertains to three groups of students. In the plan’s new Appendix N, guidance is provided for students in Grades 3 – 12 whose Individualized Education Programs include a least restrictive environment that is primarily outside of the general education classroom setting. This plan also includes students in select Career and Technical Education programs that require hands-on learning to earn professional licenses or certifications.

The new Appendix O is focused on the remaining students in Grades 3 – 12. Together with already released sections focused on students at public separate day schools (Appendix L) and students in Grades Preschool through 2 (Appendix M), the BCPS Reopening Plan now includes all students.

“I commend the educators and leaders who developed these crucial portions of our Reopening Plan, as we look ahead to the time when it will be safe to phase in in-person instruction for small groups of students,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “Despite the ransomware attack, we will be ready to welcome students back into school buildings when local COVID-19 transmission is low.”

The newest portions of the plan were presented to the Board of Education of Baltimore County during its December 22, 2020, meeting, and are organized into three parts: Health and Safety, System and School Operations, and Instructional Model.

• The Health and Safety section refers to Safety Is Our True North (Appendix A of the Reopening Plan), and addresses health metrics, a variety of mitigation strategies, compliance monitoring, screening, personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilation, health services, safety, and social and emotional learning.

• The System and School Operations section includes information about how students will be placed in small groups, drop-off and pick-up, transportation, meals, attendance, visitors, and a questionnaire families will use to indicate whether or not students will return to school buildings for hybrid learning.

• The Instructional Model section includes class assignments, how families can change student placements, schedules, the elementary model, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), special education, staffing, class layouts, and assessment.

The Reopening Plan will continue to be updated as the pandemic continues to evolve. The COVID-19 Info section of the BCPS website includes additional resources for families and staff.

Baltimore County Increases COVID Restrictions


Amid a nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced on Friday a series of new public health actions to help curb community spread of the virus.

Effective at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15:
• Social gatherings limited: All social gatherings not associated with operating or patronizing a business establishment or otherwise subject to existing state orders will be limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
• Bars and restaurants will be required to close at midnight.
Effective Tuesday, November 17:
• Baltimore County organied youth recreational indoor and outdoor sports will be prohibited until further notice.

“Now is the time to take action. We need all our residents to take this dangerous spike seriously so that we can protect the health of everyone in our community and save lives,” Olszewski said. “We all want to get back to normal, we want to go about our lives without restrictions and we want our kids back in school, but none of that can happen unless we all do our part.”

As cases have spiked nationwide and across Maryland, Baltimore County has seen a significant increase in the rate of cases, positivity, and hospitalizations. The positivity rate in the County, which has increased 129 percent since Oct. 23, is now at 6.4 percent, and the case rate per 100,000 residents has increased over 158 percent to 27.6 per capita. Hospitalizations have increased over 120 percent since October 23 to the highest level in over five months.

While County officials have continued robust enforcement of state and local mask and social distancing requirements at bars, restaurants and retail establishments, contact tracing data has consistently shown that family and social gatherings also pose significant virus transmission risk.

As the holidays approach, residents are encouraged to avoid gatherings where asymptomatic individuals could unknowingly spread the virus to others.

Earlier this week, Olszewski committed $11.5 million in grant funding to provide supplies directly to Baltimore County Public School principals to help them prepare for eventual reopening. He also announced expanded support for restaurants. The County has also made millions in grant funds available to:
• Support small business payroll, operating, and rent expenses;
• Reimburse improvements to help prevent the spread of COVID-19;
• Assist chambers of commerce and business associations to support businesses;
• Provide direct funding to assist professional artists, musicians and performers.

In addition, the County has undertaken a number of efforts to support residents who have faced challenges due to the pandemic, including providing financial support to help residents avoid eviction and subsidies to help families access child care for school-aged children participating in remote learning.

The County and its partners, including Baltimore County Public Schools, have distributed more than 8 million meals since the start of the pandemic.

Olszewski Provides COVID Update; More Funding


Amid a national COVID-19 surge, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski provided an update on Monday on the County’s ongoing response to the pandemic, announced new support for public schools as they prepare for an eventual safe return to in-person instruction, and provided details on the County’s latest efforts to expand direct relief for restaurants.

“As the weather turns colder and people are spending more time indoors, it is critical for residents to recommit to social distancing and wearing masks – two simple actions that can significantly reduce the spread of the virus,” Olszewski said. “If we fail to take responsibility for our own actions, we are risking our own health and the health of our family, our neighbors, and everyone in our community.”

COVID-19 Update

As cases have spiked nationwide and across Maryland, Baltimore County has seen a significant increase in the rate of cases and the positivity rate.
• The rate of cases in Baltimore County increased by 90.7 percent from October 23 to November 7, with 20.4 cases per 100,000 residents.
• Over the same time period, the positivity rate increased by 71.4 percent, to 4.8 percent.
• While hospitalizations have not yet matched previous highs, the number of County hospitalized COVID-19 patients has increased by 153 percent from October 7 to November 7.
The County will continue robust enforcement of state and local mask and social distancing requirements at bars, restaurants and retail establishments. To date, the County’s Social Distancing Task Force has conducted approximately 5,200 inspections of establishments – both pro-active and complaint driven.

However, Olszewski reminded residents that family and social gatherings also pose significant virus transmission risk. Ahead of upcoming holidays, individuals are encouraged to avoid large gatherings, particularly gatherings that take place indoors.

“I continue to believe that public efforts are most effective when enacted on a statewide basis, but if we continue to see increasing community spread of the virus, we must consider enacting new gathering restrictions in Baltimore County to combat this spike,” Olszewski said.

Olszewski Announces $11.5 Million for BCPS Principals to Support Safe Reopening

While the fight to contain the spread of COVID-19 continues, Olszewski today committed $11.5 million in CARES Act funding to provide supplies directly to Baltimore County Public School principals to help them prepare for eventual reopening. The County will leverage existing supplier relationships to secure and distribute personal protective equipment, cleaning and sanitizing products, air purifiers, and other equipment or supplies that will help ensure that school buildings are safe for students, educators and staff. Principals will be able to acquire supplies directly from the county, up to $100 per student.

“We all want our kids and educators back in the classroom, and while currently we’re seeing a concerning increase in cases nationwide, we are doing everything we can to make sure our school buildings are prepared for the eventual safe return to in-person instruction,” Olszewski said. “These funds will support our school-level administrators as they work to identify and address their unique needs.”
Baltimore County will be coordinating directly with BCPS principals later this week to develop orders and requests for these additional safety supplies.

Olszewski Expands Support for Restaurants

In the latest effort to support Baltimore County’s restaurant industry, Olszewski also announced new plans to complement Baltimore County’s existing restaurant grants using additional funds provided by the state. The County will distribute these Restaurant and Food Service Grants in two phases.

In the first phase, establishments who have already received grants through the County – which were available up to $15,000 – will receive an additional $15,000 state-match to enhance their efforts to keep patrons and staff safe. Eligible establishments will be contacted directly by the County’s Department of Economic and Workforce Development in the coming days.

The second phase will make grants of up to $30,000 available for restaurants that have not yet received previous grant funding from the County. Applications for these Restaurant and Food Service Grants will begin on Monday, November 16 at 9 a.m.

An application portal for these Restaurant and Food Service Grants will be available in the coming days and funds will be available on the Department of Economic and Workforce Development webpage.
This is the latest effort from Baltimore County to support small businesses impacted by the severe financial pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The County has already made millions in grant funds available to:
• Support small business payroll, operating, and rent expenses;
• Reimburse improvements to help prevent the spread of COVID-19;
• Assist chambers of commerce and business associations to support businesses;
• Provide direct funding to assist professional artists, musicians and performers

BCPS Specialized Schools Won’t Open in Fall


Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams and Chief of School Climate and Safety Dr. Michael J. Zarchin reserved course and stated they will not open four specialized schools in November. Battle Monument in Dundalk, Maiden Choice, Ridge Ruxton, and White Oak in Parkville were set to open in the fall. Williams released the following statement in response to rising COVID-19 infections in Baltimore County:

“From day one, BCPS has prioritized the health and safety of staff and students. The purpose of this communication is to provide an update on current BCPS COVID-19 School Opening Scores. In accordance with guidance from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and Maryland Department of Health, BCPS staff will implement its reopening plan when the county positivity rate is 5 percent or lower and the number of cases per 100,000 residents is below 15.

“As of Nov. 3, the Baltimore County daily positivity rate is 4.6 percent and the number of cases per 100,000 residents is greater than 18. These numbers have steadily increased in the last week. As of Nov. 3, our cumulative number of cases per 100,000 (14 days total) is greater than 200. Our percent change in new cases per 100,000 (previous 7 days) is more than 10 percent.

“Therefore, we are unable to proceed with reopening our four public separate day schools (Battle Monument, Maiden Choice, Ridge Ruxton, and White Oak) as scheduled on Nov. 9 for staff and Nov. 16 for students. We will proceed with a safe reopening for students two weeks after we meet the established parameters. The return of school-based staff to school buildings is also being put on hold until further notice.

“As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, we will monitor our metrics on a daily basis in coordination with the Baltimore County Department of Health and make adjustments as necessary, always keeping health and safety foremost in our minds. Updates on our metrics will be provided every Friday.”

Essex ES Worker Tests Positive for COVID


Baltimore County Public Schools [BCPS] reported on Friday that a person associated with Essex Elementary School has recently tested positive for COVID-19.

The community is being alerted because many families were on the school campus on Wednesday, Oct. 7, to pick up Kindergarten bags and to pick up yearbooks.

Everyone who had close contact with the affected individual has been identified, notified, and will remain away from BCPS facilities until they are cleared to return by the Baltimore County Department of Health.

The school building has been cleaned in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols.

BCPS is working with the Baltimore County Department of Health to ensure that recommendations and guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health are in place.

On Friday, Oct. 9, the school system distributed a letter to Essex Elementary School families about the situation, urging students and community members to be diligent in monitoring their health and taking steps to prevent COVID-19 transmission, such as social distancing and wearing face coverings.

This is the second known case of COVID-19 at a BCPS location within a three-day span. It was reported that a Dundalk BCPS meal worker Tested Positive for the coronavirus on Oct. 7.

Dundalk BCPS Meal Worker Tests Positive for COVID


Baltimore County Public Schools has reported that an employee working in the meal distribution program at Dundalk Elementary School, Dundalk Middle School, and First Baptist Church (100 St. Helena Ave. in Dundalk) has recently tested positive for COVID-19.

BCPS stated that meal distribution from Dundalk Elementary, Dundalk Middle and First Baptist Church will continue uninterrupted.

According to BCPS, everyone who had close contact with this BCPS employee has been identified, notified and will remain away from BCPS facilities until they are cleared to return by the Baltimore County Department of Health. The bus and school buildings involved have been cleaned in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols.

BCPS is working with the Baltimore County Department of Health to ensure that recommendations and guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health are in place. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, the school system distributed a letter to the community about the situation, urging students and community members to be diligent in monitoring their health and taking steps to prevent COVID-19 transmission, such as social distancing and wearing face coverings.

County Oks Increasing Restaurant Capacity


Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced that Baltimore County will continue alignment with state actions, which will allow operations at restaurants to increase from 50 to 75 percent capacity, with appropriate distancing, and following strict public health requirements consistent with the CDC, FDA, and the National Restaurant Association, effective Monday, September 21 at 5 p.m.

Governor Hogan’s Executive order is available here (PDF).

According to State metrics, Baltimore County’s positivity rate is currently 2.3 percent—a reduction of 81 percent reduction since May 29, 2020.

County Executive Olszewski released the following statement:
“Baltimore County continues to see progress in major health metrics as we have gradually and safely reopened our economy. While we are continuing to align with the state, we cannot let our guard down.

In Baltimore County, we’re focused on getting our kids back in school, which requires all of us to do our part to slow the spread of this virus. We have to Be Safe to Stay Safe by wearing face coverings and socially distancing—especially while indoors—to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

This dangerous disease is still with us and we must continue to follow public health guidance. We know that COVID-19 spreads more easily indoors than outdoors, so as we move forward today, we continue to urge residents to prioritize less risky activities in their support of restaurants, such as carry-out and outdoor dining.

In the days and weeks ahead, we will continue to strictly enforce state and local ordinances—any businesses found to be violating face-covering or social distancing mandates will be held accountable.

As with every step we have taken, we will continue to monitor this situation and will do whatever is necessary to protect public health. We’re still in this together and can only get through this together.”

Face Coverings Still Required

Under state and local order, individuals ages five and up are required to wear face coverings in any indoor business, service, organization or establishment that serves the general public.

This includes, but is not limited to, retail establishments, recreational establishments, theaters, houses of worship and other locations open to the public.

Individuals ages five and up are required to wear face coverings when outdoors and unable to consistently maintain at least six feet of distance from individuals who are not members of their household.

Individuals are not required to wear a mask if eating or drinking while seated. In accordance with Governor Hogan’s orders, face coverings are still required when otherwise moving in or about a restaurant or bar premises.