COVID and Vaccine Information
Media Briefing
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich
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Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles, and Interim MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight held the weekly virtual media briefing on Wednesday, August 25, at 12:30 pm. The briefing provided updates on COVID-19 cases, vaccinations, and students’ upcoming return to school.
County Executive Marc Elrich reported 141 new COVID-19 cases on August 25, and a test positivity rate of 3.32%. He noted that most cases are in unvaccinated residents, although breakthrough cases in vaccinated residents are occurring. Elrich also reminded residents that Montgomery County had single-digit case numbers earlier this summer, showing the magnitude of recent upticks in transmission. With many students returning to school on August 30, he encouraged residents returning from travel to get tested upon return to avoid community transmission that could disrupt in-person learning. As of Wednesday, 72.7% of all county residents and 85.5% of eligible (age 12 and older) residents were fully vaccinated, with Montgomery County continuing to lead the nation in vaccination rates for those ages 12 and up. Additionally, 80.2% of residents, and 94.5% of those ages 12+ had received at least one dose of the vaccine.
On Monday, the FDA fully approved the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for those ages 16 and older, making it the first COVID-19 vaccine with approval beyond an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Elrich said that the FDA’s approval should encourage residents with concerns over the EUA to now get vaccinated. He also argued that full vaccine approval should pave the way for businesses and employers to require vaccinations, ultimately increasing customer confidence and boosting economic recovery. Along these lines, the County Executive announced that Montgomery County employees will be required to submit vaccination documentation by September 18th or face regular COVID-19 testing.
The County Executive praised the County Government and MCPS’ joint efforts to overhaul the School Resource Officer (SRO) program, pivoting to a Community Engagement Officer (CEO) model. CEOs will not be present in schools, but will instead be utilized on an as-needed basis by each cluster. Further evaluation of the program will occur in an upcoming work group discussion. Elrich announced the appointment of Adriana Hutchburg as County Climate Change Officer, a new position created to oversee the implementation of the county’s climate change action plan. Hutchburg is currently one of the county’s Assistant Chief Administrative Officers.
Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles echoed the County Executive’s concern over increasing community transmission, but celebrated the high vaccination rates that are responsible for continued low hospital utilization and fatality numbers. Dr. Gayles said that the county will closely monitor virus transmission in schools following next week’s return to in-person learning, updating guidance to reflect key trends. He encouraged MCPS students and staff to get vaccinated before the return to school, pointing to the county’s vaccine clinics taking place this week.
Interim MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa Mcknight thanked the County Executive and health leaders for working with MCPS to ensure a safe return to school. Mcknight said that on August 30, the district will welcome 160,000 students and 24,000 staff back to schools for in-person learning, five days a week. She recognized the hard work, creativity, and resilience of MCPS students and staff over the past 18 months, and told community members that the district is taking heightened precautions to ensure a safe return to learning. She announced that safety measures will include virtual “back-to-school” nights, mandatory staff vaccinations, indoor mask requirements, strict cleaning and ventilation processes, and maximizing the use of outdoor spaces. Dr. Mcknight reminded community members to do their part in stopping the spread of COVID-19, including getting vaccinated and communicating any possible exposures or positive cases to schools to allow for contact tracing.
Watch the media briefing here.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles, and Interim MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight held the weekly virtual media briefing on Wednesday, August 25, at 12:30 pm. The briefing provided updates on COVID-19 cases, vaccinations, and students’ upcoming return to school.
County Executive Marc Elrich reported 141 new COVID-19 cases on August 25, and a test positivity rate of 3.32%. He noted that most cases are in unvaccinated residents, although breakthrough cases in vaccinated residents are occurring. Elrich also reminded residents that Montgomery County had single-digit case numbers earlier this summer, showing the magnitude of recent upticks in transmission. With many students returning to school on August 30, he encouraged residents returning from travel to get tested upon return to avoid community transmission that could disrupt in-person learning. As of Wednesday, 72.7% of all county residents and 85.5% of eligible (age 12 and older) residents were fully vaccinated, with Montgomery County continuing to lead the nation in vaccination rates for those ages 12 and up. Additionally, 80.2% of residents, and 94.5% of those ages 12+ had received at least one dose of the vaccine.
On Monday, the FDA fully approved the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for those ages 16 and older, making it the first COVID-19 vaccine with approval beyond an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Elrich said that the FDA’s approval should encourage residents with concerns over the EUA to now get vaccinated. He also argued that full vaccine approval should pave the way for businesses and employers to require vaccinations, ultimately increasing customer confidence and boosting economic recovery. Along these lines, the County Executive announced that Montgomery County employees will be required to submit vaccination documentation by September 18th or face regular COVID-19 testing.
The County Executive praised the County Government and MCPS’ joint efforts to overhaul the School Resource Officer (SRO) program, pivoting to a Community Engagement Officer (CEO) model. CEOs will not be present in schools, but will instead be utilized on an as-needed basis by each cluster. Further evaluation of the program will occur in an upcoming work group discussion. Elrich announced the appointment of Adriana Hutchburg as County Climate Change Officer, a new position created to oversee the implementation of the county’s climate change action plan. Hutchburg is currently one of the county’s Assistant Chief Administrative Officers.
Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles echoed the County Executive’s concern over increasing community transmission, but celebrated the high vaccination rates that are responsible for continued low hospital utilization and fatality numbers. Dr. Gayles said that the county will closely monitor virus transmission in schools following next week’s return to in-person learning, updating guidance to reflect key trends. He encouraged MCPS students and staff to get vaccinated before the return to school, pointing to the county’s vaccine clinics taking place this week.
Interim MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa Mcknight thanked the County Executive and health leaders for working with MCPS to ensure a safe return to school. Mcknight said that on August 30, the district will welcome 160,000 students and 24,000 staff back to schools for in-person learning, five days a week. She recognized the hard work, creativity, and resilience of MCPS students and staff over the past 18 months, and told community members that the district is taking heightened precautions to ensure a safe return to learning. She announced that safety measures will include virtual “back-to-school” nights, mandatory staff vaccinations, indoor mask requirements, strict cleaning and ventilation processes, and maximizing the use of outdoor spaces. Dr. Mcknight reminded community members to do their part in stopping the spread of COVID-19, including getting vaccinated and communicating any possible exposures or positive cases to schools to allow for contact tracing.
Watch the media briefing here.
