On March 17, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks Declared A State Of Emergency in Prince George’s. This Is Her Message To The Prince George's County Community.

By County Executive Angela Alsobrooks

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced March 17 that she has declared a state of emergency in Prince George’s County in response to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The number of cases of COVID-19 now stands at 11 in Prince George’s County.

“This declaration will allow us to further access resources to assist our residents and help small businesses and all those impacted as we continue to confront this pandemic,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “We will continue to take all necessary and appropriate steps to ensure we can contain the spread of this virus in our community.”

The County Executive hosted a tele-town hall March 17 to answer questions from residents (click here)

Of the new cases in Prince George’s County, patient 5 is a man in his 40s who had made contact with patient 1, a 55-year-old woman who acquired the virus after attending a conference out of state. The man has experienced no symptoms. Patient 6 is a woman in her 30s who was hospitalized and released on March 15. She is now self-quarantined at home. Patient 7 is a man in his 50s who had contact with Patient 6. Patient 8 is a woman in her 60s who is self-quarantined at her home. Patient 9 is a man in his 20s who was released from the hospital and is doing well. He had close contact with Patient 10, a woman in her 40s, who was hospitalized for issues unrelated to COVID-19. Patient 11 is a man in his 40s who is self-isolating and currently experiencing only mild symptoms.

County Executive Alsobrooks also announced she has ordered the implementation of directives outlined today by Governor Larry Hogan, including closing all restaurants, movie theaters, gymnasiums and bars. Restaurants may continue to operate drive-thrus and carry-outs. Businesses that provide essential services, such as grocery stores and banks, will continue to operate. Gatherings of more than 50 people have been prohibited until further notice.

Dr. Ernest Carter, the Prince George’s County Health Officer, stressed the importance of social distancing as the strongest method to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes staying home as much as possible, avoiding large crowds when out in public, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

“The best medicine to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is strong social distancing,” said Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter. “Prince Georgians need to focus on following the advice of public health experts and stay in our homes as much as possible to protect ourselves and protect each other.”

To effectively practice social distancing, County Executive Alsobrooks announced that County Government buildings will be closed to the public starting today, March 16, 2020. In addition, a number of new resources were announced for Prince Georgians who may be affected by closures and other measures put in place by the County and the State of Maryland, detailed below.

Capital Area Food Bank:

To assist families experiencing hardships due to the closures, the County has partnered with the Capital Area Food Bank to provide three pop-up food pantries starting tomorrow, March 17, 2020. Additional details will be provided via social media and the County’s website as soon as they are available. The pop-ups will run from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at three Giant parking lots:

6000 Greenbelt Road
7074 Allentown Road
10480 Campus Way S

PGCPS Student Meals:

Prince George’s County Public Schools expanded its meal program during the school closures from March 16 through March 27. Effective Tuesday, March 17, student meal sites have been expanded from nine to 25, and hours extended to 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. In addition, the grab-and-go bags, which originally only included lunch, will now include breakfast and a snack. Children may pick up their meals with or without an adult, but adults may not pick up meals for children. There will be school system staff in the cafeteria or parking lot, depending on weather, to distribute the meals.

The 25 meal sites are:

Andrew Jackson Academy
Benjamin Tasker Middle School
Buck Lodge Middle School
Carmody Hills Middle School
District Heights Elementary School
Drew Freeman Middle School
Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School
Hillcrest Heights Elementary School
J. Frank Dent Elementary School
John Blayne Elementary School
Judge Sylvania Woods Elementary School
Longfields Elementary School
Kenmoor Middle School
Langley Park-McCormick Elementary School
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
Nicholas Orem Middle School
Port Towns Elementary School
Samuel Chase Elementary School
Stephen Decatur Middle School
Suitland Elementary School
Templeton Elementary School
Thurgood Marshall Middle School
Walker Mill Middle School
William Paca Elementary School
William Wirt Middle School

Senior Meal Delivery:

Due to the closing of senior centers and other sites, meal deliveries are now available to seniors who are part of the Senior Nutrition Program managed by the County’s Department of Family Services. Family Services, in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Transportation, will be delivering a frozen pack of seven meals to those seniors who are part of the Senior Nutrition Program between 10 AM and 4 PM on their regularly scheduled day. Seniors or their caregivers must be present to receive the meals.

For more information about County building closings, as well as for more information about COVID-19 resources in Prince George’s County, visit mypgc.us.

Yours in service,

Angela Alsobrooks

Prince George’s County Executive