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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><span style="color:windowtext">From:</span></b><span style="color:windowtext"> McAuliffe, Anthony M. <<a href="mailto:AMMcAuliffe@co.pg.md.us">AMMcAuliffe@co.pg.md.us</a>>
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, December 21, 2021 2:13 PM<br>
<b>Subject:</b> PRESS RELEASE - PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY URGES CAUTION DURING THE HOLIDAYS AMID RISING COVID-19 CASES ACROSS THE REGION AND STATE<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal">
<a name="_Hlk532394449"></a><a name="_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">OFFICE OF THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EXECUTIVE</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">ANGELA D. ALSOBROOKS</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">For Immediate Release</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">:</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">December 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">For More Information:</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">Anthony McAuliffe<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">Public Information Officer<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">Office of the County Executive<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">Prince George’s County<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">c. 301.458.1620<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"></span></span><a href="mailto:AMMcAuliffe@co.pg.md.us"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">AMMcAuliffe@co.pg.md.us</span></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><b><u><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY URGES CAUTION DURING THE HOLIDAYS AMID RISING COVID-19 CASES ACROSS THE REGION
AND STATE<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif"">Residents Encouraged to Get Vaccinated and Boosted, Get Tested, Wear a Mask, and Use Good Judgment to Keep
Their Loved Ones Safe <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman \,serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">LARGO, MD –</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk47370681"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk532394449"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks held a press conference today urging residents to be cautious over the holiday season, as case numbers continue
to dramatically rise across the region and State of Maryland. Vaccinations, getting tested and wearing masks remain the best protection against COVID-19 and the new Omicron variant.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“While we have made tremendous progress as a County, consistently having one of the lowest infection rates in the
State over the last few months, we are experiencing another winter surge of COVID-19,” said Alsobrooks. “What’s different about this year than last year is now, we have more tools at our disposal to fight back against COVID-19. We urge residents to take precautions
to slow the spread of this virus and keep your loved ones safe during this holiday season.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Holiday Guidance for Residents<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The County is encouraging residents to get vaccinated who have not yet done so already, and encouraging parents to
get their children five and older vaccinated as soon as possible. In addition, the County is encouraging residents who are already vaccinated to get a booster shot for added protection against COVID-19 and the new Omicron variant.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Studies cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that protection against the Omicron variant
is up to 38 times higher when people get a booster shot. In addition, a booster shot can increase protection against feeling symptoms from Omicron by 75%. All residents 16 and older are now eligible for a booster shot. Residents who received Pfizer or Moderna
can get a booster shot six months after the second dose, and residents who received Johnson & Johnson can get a booster shot two months after the single dose shot. Residents can find the nearest vaccine site at
</span><a href="https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/3730/COVID-19-Vaccine"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine</span></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The County is also encouraging residents to get tested if they are travelling for the holidays, if they are experiencing
symptoms of COVID-19, or if they have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19. The County is operating a free COVID-19 testing site at Bunker Hill Fire Station that is open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The County also has a COVID-19 testing
site locator, which can be accessed at </span><a href="https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/3472/COVID-19-Testing"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">health.mypgc.us/COVIDTesting</span></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The County is urging residents to exercise caution with family gatherings this holiday season. Residents should use
their best judgment and make the best decisions to protect their families, including considering a more intimate setting with vaccinated family and close friends. Finally, residents are reminded to continue following the indoor mask mandate, wearing a mask
when indoors at any public venue. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">COVID-19 Data<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Based on statewide data and data from neighboring jurisdictions in the region, as well as data from the County Health
Department’s contact tracers, County health officials are certain Prince George’s County is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Prince George’s County does not have County-level case rates or infection rates due to the cyberattack that impacted
the State’s COVID-19 tracking data. However, the State began reporting statewide data again yesterday. That data shows Maryland has experienced an increase of 28,341 cases since December 3. Additionally, the positivity rate went from 5.4% on December 3 to
nearly 10.3% on December 20, which is an 89% increase in a little over two weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Without County-level data, the County has been looking at nearby jurisdictions, which shows a concerning trend across
the region. In the District of Columbia, one month ago on November 20, the weekly case rate per 100,000 residents was under 100 cases. As of December 21, it is 356 cases. In Fairfax County, on November 20, the weekly case rate per 100,000 residents was 63
cases. As of December 21, it is over 160 cases. In Alexandria, on November 20, the weekly case rate per 100,000 residents was 77 cases. As of December 21, it is over 280 cases.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Vaccination Data<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">According to the CDC, over 78% of adults 18 and older in the County are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. When including
everyone over the age of five, 72% of residents are fully vaccinated. Finally, almost 90% of seniors are fully vaccinated.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">###<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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