Posts Tagged ‘coronavirus’
COVID Relief Front-And-Center As Md. Lawmakers Start Session
Maryland lawmakers are being asked to make some quick decisions about a $1-billion COVID-19 relief package proposed by Governor Larry Hogan Monday. The General Assembly session begins today. Delegate Wayne Hartman (R- Wicomico-Worcester) told WGMD’s Mike Bradley the proposal likely needs some ‘tweaking.’ Hogan introduce the measure on an emergency basis, meaning that stimulus checks,…
Read MoreTwo MD Residents Confirmed with Coronavirus Strain B-117
Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has confirmed two cases of COVID-19 in Maryland residents caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 variant strain commonly known as B-117. The B-117 strain first emerged in the United Kingdom in late 2020. The strain has not been shown to cause more severe illness or increased risk of…
Read MoreSomerset Co. Schools Extend Virtual Learning Until Jan. 25th
Somerset County Public Schools will continue with virtual instruction exclusively until Monday January 25th. A closure of buildings for in-person instruction has been extended due to persisting rates of COVID-19 infection that are above state recommended benchmarks for classroom learning. Somerset County schools had been hoping to bring students back into buildings starting next Tuesday…
Read MoreDel. Lawmakers Seek More Say Regarding States Of Emergency
Two state lawmakers from Sussex County want to put a check on a governor’s ability to modify or extend states of emergency. Senator Bryant Richardson of Seaford and Representative Rich Collins of Millsboro have file a bill that would require legislative approval to any extension of its initial 30 days. According to Collins, repeated extensions…
Read MoreDel. Lawmakers Proposes Tax Relief On Unemployment Benefits
Delawareans who are unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic could get a tax break. A bill introduced in the House would exempt unemployment benefits paid in 2020 from the Delaware state income tax. More than 100,000 Delawareans -a record number – filed for unemployment in 2020. “Thousands of hard-working Delawareans have lost their jobs during the…
Read MoreHogan Proposes $1-Billion In Additional COVID-19 Relief
Governor Larry Hogan Monday proposed a relief package totaling $1-billion to help Marylanders and families who have been struggling during the pandemic. The package includes tax credits for Marylanders of low-to-moderate income, relief from state and local taxes on unemployment benefits and other payments and credits for citizens and small businesses. Hogan introduced the legislation…
Read MoreDelaware State Park Offices Reopen Tuesday, Jan 12
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will reopen its state park offices Tuesday, Jan. 12, with limited hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day. Park offices were closed from Dec. 24 through Jan. 11 to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Indian River Life Saving Station (IRLSS) and Indian River…
Read MoreUpdate: Worcester Co. Schools Reopen Buildings Jan. 19th
Worcester County Public Schools will welcome groups of students back into buildings for in-person instruction next Tuesday January 19th. Teachers and staff are returning today. Students will take part in remote instruction this week in Worcester County Public Schools. “As we begin the transition to Stage Two of our Responsible Return plan, it is more…
Read MoreDE Coronavirus Numbers Remain Elevated
The numbers remain elevated for positive coronavirus tests, hospitalizations and the number of deaths in Delaware. Public Health officials report 12 deaths on Friday – 6 of them were in Kent County, 4 in New Castle County and two in Sussex. All ranged in age from their 60 to 90s and five were residents of…
Read MoreDPH Records 1st Pediatric Death Related to Coronavirus
While Delaware saw a huge increase in positive coronavirus tests on Wednesday, the numbers were back to a more normal level for Thursday – at 582 new positive cases – with 201 in Sussex County – 261 in New Castle. There were 2 fewer people hospitalized with the virus statewide – with that number at…
Read MoreWinter HS Sports Competitions Can Begin Monday, No Tournament Plans Yet Approved
The DIAA Board of Directors met yesterday virtually, and received confirmation from DPH that winter sports competitions may begin on Monday, January 11, 2021. On December 10, 2020, Governor Carney released the Fourth Revision to the 27th Modification, which suspended games, matches, and competitions as of December 14th. As a result, the December 21, 2020 start date of winter…
Read MoreGov Carney Continues Coronavirus Restrictions; Lifts 10pm Curfew at DE Bars & Restaurants, HS Winter Sports to Continue
Governor John Carney on Friday signed the fifth revision to the omnibus emergency order, continuing the restrictions, including the Stay-at-Home advisory and universal indoor mask mandate, to combat the increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Delaware. Beginning today, the 10 p.m. curfew at Delaware restaurants and bars will be lifted, but establishments still must have signage prominently displayed on the table stating…
Read MoreDel. DMV To Resume Evening Hours Wednesdays
New evening hours will be available at the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles effective next Wednesday, January 13th. DMV locations will be open Wednesdays between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. This is a change from the previous Wednesday schedule of noon until 8 p.m. But it does reinstate evening hours on Wednesdays, which were suspended…
Read MoreFreeman Stage Takes New Name, Plans To Grow
The Freeman Stage in Selbyville has a new name, and looks to expand its size and its offerings. The venue will now be known as the Freeman Arts Pavilion. The Joshua M. Freeman Foundation has acquired some adjacent property to allow it to expand its seating capacity. The pavilion has been in the planning stages…
Read MoreMd. Looks To Accelerate COVID-19 Vaccination
Maryland is taking several actions to pick up the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations across the state. Governor Larry Hogan said Tuesday that the Maryland National Guard will start to send emergency support teams to help local health departments with their vaccination clinic. Also, Hogan said the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps, which sought to recruit…
Read MoreDE Coronavirus Numbers Elevated, but Steadier; Hybrid Learning Re-Starts January 11
Delaware’s coronavirus numbers have been elevated since early November – and people gathering with friends and family through the holidays hasn’t helped to flatten the curve. There were 771 new positive cases of the virus reported on Monday – bringing the total to over 61,000. 201 cases reported in Sussex County. There were also 10…
Read MoreDE Coronavirus Numbers Rising as Vaccine is Rolled Out
Following the holidays, Delaware’s coronavirus numbers continue to rise. After 2 days of no deaths from coronavirus – Public Health officials report 7 deaths on Sunday. All range in age from their 60s into their 90s and they all had underlying health conditions. Two were residents of long-term care facilities. Of the 7, 4 were…
Read MoreNew Special Enrollment Period for Uninsured Maryland Residents to get Health Coverage
Governor Larry Hogan announced today a new special enrollment period in which all uninsured Maryland residents have the opportunity to enroll in health coverage now due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the recent rise in the positivity rate throughout the state. The enrollment period begins immediately and will run until March 15. “I am…
Read MoreWicomico Co. Ramps Up Vaccination Program
Wicomico County, with a rising positivity rate for COVID-19, has begun a vaccination program in accordance with the State of Maryland’s Plan. First to get the vaccine were healthcare front-line staff and first-responders. The Wicomico County Health Department also held drive-through clinics last week for more health workers and first responders. As the county receives…
Read MoreWorcester Co. Schools To Resume Hybrid Instruction
Worcester County Public Schools plan to resume the school year Monday, January 4th with a return of small targeted groups of students for in-person instruction. Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor said teachers and staff members have been trained for their specific roles and responsibilities regarding health and safety, and the school system is confident that…
Read MoreDel. Judicial Emergency Extended Until Feb. 3rd
Delaware’s Judicial Emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic has been extended for another 30 days. Chief Justice Collins Seitz Junior has extended the emergency ten times since the start of the pandemic. Delaware Courts are still at Phase Two of reopening. Jury trials are still suspended. Some proceedings are still taking place, and the use of…
Read MoreMd. Boosts Low-Income Energy Assistance Programs
Maryland is making more than $154-million available to help people who are having trouble paying their utility bills. Governor Larry Hogan said Wednesday that’s a 40-percent increase from the last fiscal year. Money goes toward three relief programs that assist Marylanders in dealing with current and past-due bills for heat, electricity and natural gas. “Too…
Read MoreMd. Directs COVID Relief Toward Agriculture, Seafood Industry
Maryland farmers, producers and watermen that have been impacted by the pandemic could be eligible for COVID relief funding. Governor Larry Hogan said Tuesday that the targeted relief of more than $9-million comes from a $600-million economic relief packaged announced by the state during the pandemic. The Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Department of…
Read MoreDel. Plans For Next Phase Of COVID Vaccination Program
Delaware Public Health has finalized a recommended plan for the next phase of its COVID-19 vaccination program. Phase 1-B, as it will be known, will seek to vaccinate people age 65 and older as well as frontline essential workers. Such workers could include first responders, educators and school staff, and people who work in food,…
Read More2 Rehoboth Employees Test Positive For COVID; City Hall Closed
Rehoboth Beach officials said Tuesday that two city employees have tested positive for coronavirus, and as a result Rehoboth Beach City Hall will be closed until Monday, January 4th. The two employees last worked Tuesday, December 29th at City Hall. The city staff will self-quarantine as the building and offices are deep-cleaned. City employees are…
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