Prepping For A Surge
Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks
County Executive Alsobrooks Shares Preparation Plans For Potential Increase In Coronavirus Spread. Donations Sought To Aid Residents
The following is excerpted from a notice from the Office of the County Executive. Listen to the County Executive’s full remarks above.
Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced today that Prince George’s County is executing its surge plan to prepare for a potential surge of positive COVID-19 cases in the County. This plan will create additional capacity for the County’s healthcare system to care for individuals who need treatment for COVID-19.
“We know the hospital surge is on the horizon, and we are doing everything in our power to prepare and create additional capacity in our healthcare system,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “While we are preparing for the worst-case scenario, I want Prince Georgians to know that we have the power to flatten the curve by following the Governor’s stay-at-home order and practicing social distancing when outside for essential trips.”
The county is also asking businesses and individuals who are able to make donations of non-perishable food items, paper products and more for families in need. The county asks donors to fill out a donation form online at mypgc.us/donatecovid19.
Currently, the county has triage tents at Medstar Southern Maryland, Doctor’s Hospital and the University of Maryland Prince George’s Hospital Center. Sprung tents have been requested from the State of Maryland, which will be placed in the southern, central and northern parts of the County. These tents are smaller sites that will help the County care for individuals who need treatment for COVID-19.
Dr. Earnest Carter, Prince George’s County Health Department
The county is also preparing the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex in Landover as a potential large alternative care site. Governor Hogan has already sent the Corps of Engineers to this site to assess its feasibility. In addition, Prince George’s County has asked the state for additional beds, PPE, ventilators and other critical supplies due to the large number of individuals the county is already caring for who are suffering from the virus.
Prince George’s County has set aside a quarantine facility for first responders, ensuring that any who are potentially exposed to COVID-19 or test positive do not have to risk spreading the virus to their families. The County is also cross-training public safety employees, which will allow employees from one public safety agency to fill in for another in the event there becomes a shortage of personnel in an agency due to COVID-19 exposure.
All of these preparations are in addition to the FedExField screening site that opened last week. This site provides a critical resource for those residents without health insurance to get screened and tested if they are exhibiting symptoms, in addition to residents who have already received a prescription for testing from their primary care doctor. More than 350 people have been tested at the screening site so far. All individuals seeking care at the site must first call the County COVID-19 Hotline at 301-883-6627, to make an appointment.
The County’s Office of Community Relations is collecting donations of non-perishable food items, paper products, baby items and other supplies to assist families in need. Any residents or businesses who would like to donate these items can fill out a donation form online at mypgc.us/donatecovid19.
