Thread by @KateRyanWTOP

This morning, the @MoCoCouncilMD issues a proclamation recognizing Public Health Week

From acting as the #boardofhealth later today the @MoCoCouncilMD will get a briefing on the treatment of a 5 year old boy who was brought back to his school after walking away. Video generated outrage and litigation. Briefing from @mcpdChief at 2:30

Briefing now from Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles who says test positivity has increased and fewer people getting tested. Worries about "hidden trove" of people who may be positive but haven't been tested.

Acute and intensive care hospitalization up. Gayles says Gov Hogan's office chalked up increases in cases to travel, Gayles insists "not factually true". Says 5 variant strains in the county right now. B117 "predominant" of those.

Dr. Earl Stoddard says mass vax site at Germantown going from county stand-up operation to state facility this week (April 8th) Thanks state officials including MD National Guard for help in logistics and planning.

Stoddard says lots of people ask if we are near "herd immunity", but warns "we are not there".

Back to travel, Stoddard says it can/does play a role, but says beating the variants with accelerated vaccination is important. Gov Hogan has said same in recent announcements, referring to a "race" between variants and vaccination efforts.

Stoddard says there will come a point at which Germantown will become a walk-up center. Says that will change the way things operate. Right now, says 34,000 people w pre-existing conditions have already registered.

Dr. Gayles urges everyone to pre-register as the pace of vaccinations picks up. "It's important that we get everyone into the system" says Gayles. Calls it "exciting" that more doses are coming into the county.

Montgomery County @RicePolitics asks about back to school/classes in light of increase in #covid19 cases.

Allocation from MD: latest over 10K says Dr. Gayles. Majority Pfizer. Said allotments have increased gradually from 4,500.

CM @albornoz_gabe mentions that when he pre-registered for vaccination, got response with options for 6 different languages, and reflects on progress in addressing community needs.

Asks how many people who pre-registered checked box that they need transportation to vaccination sites. Dr. Stoddard said @ 6-7% checked that. This is different from those who cannot leave home for appts.

Dr. Gayles says number of people who can't leave home was in the "low 40s" and that there are services working to connect those people with vaccinations.

Dr. Bridgers pinpoints the number at 45 people.

Dr. Gayles is asked about quarantining when people go to other states to where variant #COVID19 strains are more common.

Last week, Gov Hogan advised people not to travel out of state, but there are no restrictions on that.

CM @MC_Council_Katz notes that this is Public Health Week, but notes that this has been more like "Public Health Year" with the pandemic.

Asked, Dr. Gayles says "whatever first dose you get is the second dose you will get" There have been questions, including from @MC_Council_Katz who said people should not worry, doses of the type they had will be available at Germantown site.