By Mark F. Gray
AFRO Staff Writer
mgray@afro.com

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks confirmed two new cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the County.  During a press conference on March 10 at the County’s Emergency Operations Center, the County Executive promised that her office is working in conjunction with state and federal authorities to ensure information is disseminated in a timely and transparent fashion.

Alsobrooks confirmed three of Maryland’s eight COVID-19 cases have occurred in Prince George’s County via her Twitter page and that the victims had been traveling. One of the patients likely contracted the virus during a trip to Boston Feb. 25-27.

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks confirmed three cases of coronavirus in the County and is taking precautions and canceling events to contain the disease. (Courtesy Photo)

During the press conference, Alsobrooks announced that two other residents were diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus after traveling on an international cruise, which she was briefed on earlier that day. She said the couple who are in their 50’s were being “self-quarantined” at the time, but were in good condition.  

However, Alsobrooks confirmed that one of the attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor from February 27-March 1 was diagnosed with COVID-19 virus.  The New Jersey resident is back home, but those who attended or worked at the conference may be at some risk for contracting the virus prompting Maryland Department of Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter to issue a public statement recommending: “members of the public who attended or worked this event monitor themselves for symptoms of a respiratory infection including fever, cold-like symptoms, cough, or shortness of breath.”

“Persons who attended or worked this event should check their temperature twice a day and notify their health care provider and local health department if their temperature exceeds 100.4 or if they develop a respiratory illness,” Carter stated. “They should remain at home until they receive instructions about next steps from their health care provider or local health department.”

Meanwhile, there have been no cases reported in Prince George’s County Public Schools as of press time, but the system’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Monica Goldson issued a statement to the community encouraging parents and guardians to keep sick children home and they won’t require medical staff documentation for extended absence, which is normally their policy when a student is not in class for more than three days.

“(PGCPS) continues to adhere to guidance and direction from County and State health departments for the well-being of all students and staff,” Dr. Goldson wrote in a statement sent to parents. “We encourage parents and guardians to keep their children home from school if they are sick.  Effective immediately, we will not require a physician’s note for absences exceeding three days. A parent’s note with contact information will be required for the absence to be considered lawful.” 

Dr. Goldson also has implemented new policies that will designate times during the school day for younger children to wash their hands and has encouraged parents and guardians to remind older students to remain vigilant and to sanitize hands as well.  She has been working closely with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to develop a policy for employee absenteeism in the event that classes are cancelled because of COVID-19 closings.

“Any missed days of school or work will be treated the same as inclement weather/emergency closings,” the statement reads. “Any classroom or work assignments will be made up when the building reopens.”

Alsobrooks has announced the cancellation of two public events “out of an abundance of caution due to the coronavirus.”  The Women’s History Month Luncheon (WHML) scheduled for March 26 and the Census Block Party scheduled for March 28 have been postponed.