Howard County has a positivity rate of 2.96%, which is notably still below 5%, with a 7-day average daily case rate of 41. Our hospitalizations are also still low, with 11 COVID-19 patients in the ICU and acute care.

We have now tested 16.5% of our population and reached the highest daily average number of tests at 1,517, with 10,622 tests administered last week – a 33% increase over the previous week. This is the third week in a row we’ve exceeded our HoCo RISE goal of 6,500 tests per week.

Our new average age of new daily confirmed cases is 32. As we noted last week, the increase in younger COVID-19 patients is concerning, and households should still be cautious. If you have been around people outside of your household - including extended family, going to work, or have traveled anywhere recently, please take the time to get tested this week. To date, twice as many people 36 and over are being tested compared to those 35 and under. As we continue to increase testing frequency, we will be able to track and isolate the virus more effectively.

With the Governor's latest masking-order and our continued vigilance, we can prevent a large outbreak and keep our community safe.

For up to date information on COVID-19 in Howard County, please visit our website here.

We have several locations across our county where residents can easily get tested for COVID-19. If you have trouble receiving a test, please call the Howard County Health Department Coronavirus Information line at (410) 313-6284.

Governor Hogan announced a statewide mask order, now in effect for Maryland.

Residents are now required to wear masks or face coverings:

Masks and face coverings are critical to keeping our businesses open and allowing our economy to recover. As we have seen in many other states around this country, not adhering to hand washing, physical distancing, and mask-wearing directly leads to spikes in cases and strains on healthcare systems.

Many of our residents have already made mask-wearing a best practice, let's continue to protect each other and keep our community safe from COVID-19

Governor Hogan's Executive Order from June 10th addressed many of the large gathering questions residents may have. To read his complete Executive Order, please click here. To read interpretative guidance on social gatherings, please click here.

While Howard County has been able to keep our COVID-19 case numbers steady, I encourage residents to continue practicing preventative measures - mask-wearing, physical distancing, and frequent hand washing - whenever you are out.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on a payroll. Applications have reopened and the deadline to apply for a loan is August 8th, 2020.

I encourage all our Howard County businesses to apply today to ensure they have the resources available to continue to prosper and thrive. For more information, please click here.

With more than 23,000 renters in Howard County, we know that today many people may be facing missed rent. It’s critical that tenants are aware of their rights.

Under the current Executive Order issued by Governor Hogan, a court cannot order the eviction of any tenant who can show that their failure to pay rent was a result of COVID-19. This includes if you lost your job, you’re caring for a school-aged child or you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19.

It’s important to keep any and all documentation you have that proves a failure to pay rent was COVID-19 related.

When human beings from other countries are seeking refuge from unimaginable violence, religious oppression, and political retaliation, this is not how they should be treated.

Howard County is joining an amicus brief in support of the CASA complaint against the Trump Administration’s rule to delay applicants for asylum from getting authorization to work while their application is processed. This clearly discriminatory rule dismantles the asylum process, prevents the opportunity for growth, and forces innocent people seeking refuge into poor circumstances. 

In Howard County, we are home to many who have sought asylum and we continue to stand with all our residents to ensure they can live their best lives, without any fear. Read more here.

The latest attempt to co-opt the constitutionally mandated census process is illegal and clearly violates our federal laws and standards. Howard County loses out on nearly $18,000 in federal funding for each person not counted in the Census. This funding will support critical programs including our emergency services, Medicare, school lunches and so much more.

Howard County is joining a New York lawsuit against President Trump and his Administration for their July 21, 2020 census policy attempting to “exclude from the apportionment base aliens who are not in a lawful immigration status.” The exclusion of undocumented persons would significantly impact the apportionment of congressional districts and the electoral college.

Our federal representation must truly represent all the people in a jurisdiction – no matter their citizenship status. As a community that strives to be inclusive and sees our diversity as our strength, we will not let the current administration continue to scapegoat our immigrant community or intimidate our residents from participating in the census. Read more here.

Residents are now able to provide feedback on the current draft Ellicott City Master Plan through August 22nd, 2020. The plan represents the culmination of a multi-year public outreach process that began in response to the 2016 flooding and builds upon my Ellicott City Safe and Sound flood mitigation plan.

To learn how you can become involved and offer your thoughts on the draft plan during the comment period, visit https://hocodpz.konveio.com/ecmp.

As of today, the moratorium on utility services ends on September 1st, 2020.

Governor Hogan extended his order prohibiting electric, gas, water, sewage, phone, cable TV, and internet service provider companies from shutting off any residential customer’s service, or charging any residential late fees. This order will help protect the health and safety of utility employees and our residents during this catastrophic health emergency.

9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042

Every Thursday • 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Every Thursday, 6:00 - 7:30pm

Lisbon United Methodist Church

15875 Frederick Rd, Woodbine, MD 21797

Columbia Community Care:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:30am-12:30pm at

Roving Radish – serving free/reduced meals on a case by case basis. For more information, please visit their website here.

Grab-and-Go summer meals from July 1 through August 14, Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

School-Based Locations:

Community Locations (weekend meals not provided):

2nd/4th Friday of each month, 4:00-8:00pm

5646 Furnace Ave. Elkridge, MD 21075

Additionally, the COAD put together a comprehensive, all inclusive list, with all information which can be accessed here.

There has been an increase in reports of online extortion scams during the COVID-19 crisis. Because many people are staying at home and are online more than usual, scammers may use this opportunity to find new victims and pressure them into sending money.

Be wary of "at-home" COVID-19 test kits, offers of virus cures, or fake PPE supply stores. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, please contact the Office of Consumer Protection at (410) 313-6420.

Throughout this public health emergency, we have identified many critical resources and services to support the fundamental needs in our community. The Virtual Assistance Portal allows residents and businesses to easily search for things like rent relief, food assistance, grant programs, and more.

As we move through this crisis, our team will continue to create innovative solutions to support Howard County. I encourage you to visit the Virtual Assistance Portal by clicking here.

Ask a Pharmacist! Join the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence on Wednesday, August 12 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. for a virtual Q&A session via Webex with Pharmacist Ruth Ayuk of DiscoverU Health. Ask questions related to your medication management and learn about medication safety, prescription drug interactions, considerations pertaining to COVID-19, and other pharmaceutical topics and concerns. FREE. Register in advance at: https://bit.ly/3eMwwjo

Today, August 5^th, HCDFRS will hold a "Stop the Bleed" virtual class. Severe bleeding is the most common cause of preventable trauma death and no matter how rapid emergency first responders arrive, immediate responders (a.k.a. bystanders) will always be first on scene. A person who is severely bleeding can die from blood loss in as little as five minutes. Through it "Stop the Bleed" initiative, HCDFRS aims to reduce the impact of hemorrhage in victims of traumatic injury and improving mass casualty response.

On August 19^th or August 25^th, HCDFRS will host its Hands-Only CPR virtual class. According to the American Heart Association, about 70 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes. Which means, if you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love.

For questions, contact HCDFRS at handsonlycpr@hcdfrs.org (for Hands-Only CPR) or outreach@hcdfrs.org (for Stop the Bleed).

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our indoor and outdoor pools, leading more residents to seek out natural bodies of water to swim in this summer. Howard County paramedics have responded to three potential drownings in the past month alone.

We want to ensure our community has the information and resources to keep their families safe when recreating this summer and beyond.

Why do you wear a mask? Let HCHD know by emailing askhealth@howardcountymd.gov; be sure to include your face covering selfie, name and reason for wearing. 

While we have made significant strides in Howard County with our handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that we all REMEMBER this pandemic is FAR FROM OVER. Ultimately, we are only as good as what our community does. When out in a public setting, please wear a face covering, practice physical distancing, avoid large gatherings and stay home unless absolutely necessary. These simple acts can help stop the spread and save a life. To learn more, visit the CDC's “Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19” website.

This is a difficult time for many in our community, particularly for those who are struggling with isolation, extreme sadness, or a mental health condition. We are here to help one another in our community. Additionally, we have crisis services available to ensure all our residents are healthy and thriving.

It’s okay to ask for help so we can all get through this together.

If you are a Howard County resident in need of financial assistance to pay past due rent payments to prevent eviction, I encourage you to apply for housing ​payment relief aid from one of the county’s participating providers. To be eligible to apply, you must be a Howard County resident, be able to provide proof of home address and supply evidence of loss of income due to COVID-related job loss, reduction in hours and/or medical illness. The maximum assistance per household is three months of housing expense. To learn more and/or to apply, visit our Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) “COVID-19 Housing” Information website.

Also, if you’ve not done so already, we encourage you to sign up to receive weather alerts straight to your mobile device and/or email stay informed about severe weather by. Visit the U.S. National Weather Service's website, www.weather.gov/subscribe, for a list of available email and mobile application alert services.

DPZ has also launched its planning process for our next General Plan, “HoCo By Design.” The General Plan is the comprehensive long-range plan for all of Howard County and establishes policies on how and where the County will develop and grow in response to evolving economic, environmental and social conditions. While General Plans are updated approximately once every 10 years (the last update, PlanHoward 2030, was adopted in 2012), in response to community concerns about current land use regulations, the County has accelerated the update. "HoCo By Design" is currently scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2021. To learn more, visit www.hocobydesign.com

On Tuesday, August 11, DPW will be hosting a public meeting starting at 7:00 p.m., to present plans for a stream stabilization project between 6733 and 6737 Pirch Way in Elkridge.

This project will involve the grading of the streambanks and the positioning of riffle grade control and stone toe protection structures along the project area. The purpose of the project is to stabilize approximately 300 linear feet of the stream channel and banks of a tributary to Deep Run and to provide water quality improvements to areas downstream. This project is expected to begin in September 2020. To learn more about this meeting and how to participate, click HERE.

Check it out! While county residents should start finding or have already found a copy of our Department of Recreation & Parks’ (DRP) 2020 Fall Activity Guide in their mailbox, the Guide can also be viewed online now. This fall’s guide features both online and in-person programs (please note, some program information may be subject to change due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic), including fall/winter competitive sports. Online registration for Howard County residents begins Wednesday, August 5^th at 6:00 p.m., followed by registration for non-County residents a week (August 12^th, 6:00 p.m.) later.

When visiting a County Department of Recreation & Parks (DRP) park, playground and/or other amenity, please remember to take the necessary precautions to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This includes practicing physical distancing, wearing a face covering when possible and avoiding large gatherings. For the latest information on what Recreatoin & Parks’ facilities, amentieis and programs are open, as well as additional Recreation & Parks announcements, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/rap or following the Department on Facebook or Twitter.

For a list of currently operating DRP indoor and outdoor summer camps, as well as childcare services, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/rap. All DRP summer camps were reorganized to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines around COVID-19, which includes reducing group sizes and implementing new safety procedures.

Also, in light of the Howard County Public School System decision to move the start of its 2020-2021 academic school year to September 8^th, DRP will now be offering additional in-person and online summer camps through the end of August.

In addition to DCRS’ OAI, our Department of Recreation & Parks ALSO has a ton of great online programs and fun activities for residents, young and old, that you can participate in from the comfort of your own home! Check our DRP’s #AtHomewithHoCoRec website, www.howardcountymd.gov/athomewithhocorec, to learn more.