County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles

November 25, 2020 | Maryam Shahzad

Marylanders Will Receive Emergency Alert on Cell Phones Wednesday at 5 p.m.

At around 5 p.m. Wednesday, Marylanders will receive a statewide emergency alert on their cell phones— only the second time the tool has been used by Gov. Larry Hogan’s administration. The governor’s administration first used the alert on March 31 to inform residents about the state’s new COVID-19 Stay at Home directive, according to a […]

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November 24, 2020 | Reid Flumbaum

County Imposes Immediate New Restrictions on Gathering Sizes, Mask Mandates

Update (Nov. 25): After receiving many questions from residents about Tuesday’s announcement of a new face covering directive, Montgomery County clarified its position. Masks are required anytime residents are likely to come within six feet of someone else. For example, if a resident is walking outside and is likely to come into contact with someone […]

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November 24, 2020 | Suzanne Pollak

County Will Discuss Plans to End HIV Epidemic at Virtual Town Hall on World AIDS Day

Montgomery County is working to end the HIV epidemic by 2030 and will discuss its plans during a virtual town hall on Dec. 1 which is World AIDS Day. The county was named a priority jurisdiction for the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative and plans to reduce new HIV transmissions by 90% by 2030. […]

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November 20, 2020 | Maryam Shahzad

State Approves County’s Previously-Denied Waiver for Early Childcare Centers

After a second letter from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon approved the county’s initially-rejected request asking to continue relaxed teacher-child ratios in early childcare facilities. “Since your first correspondence, we have seen Maryland reporting a seven-day positivity rate of 6.82% and a case rate of 30.9 per 100K,” Salmon said […]

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November 17, 2020 | Maryam Shahzad

Gayles Says Further Restrictions Needed ‘Ultimately to Curb the Numbers’

Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles said the county continues to look at contact tracing data and may reinstate further COVID-19 restrictions. “I cannot emphasize enough the seriousness of where we stand in terms of the numbers,” Gayles said at a county council meeting Tuesday, “and in terms of the potential actions that may […]

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October 26, 2020 | Brendan Hartlove

Health Officials Announce Revised Indicators; Reopening Rollbacks Evaluated

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, Montgomery County health officials announced revised indicators to guide potential rollbacks of Phase 2 reopening provisions. On Friday, Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles updated the indicators that have guided the County’s decisions since June. “We have been monitoring the uptick in cases to determine whether it was […]

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October 21, 2020 | Maryam Shahzad

After Dispute Over Private Schools, County Still Unclear on its Authority to Make Closures

It’s unclear what authority Montgomery County has to make broad school closures if COVID-19 conditions get worse, Emergency Management Director Dr. Earl Stoddard said at a county council meeting Tuesday.  On July 31, Montgomery County was launched into a week-long back and forth with the state when County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles issued an […]

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October 7, 2020 | Brendan Hartlove

COVID-19 Outbreak Linked to Montgomery County Youth Soccer Club

Montgomery County is investigating a COVID-19 outbreak linked to a youth soccer club that has now “spilled over” into a high school team, public health officials have confirmed. Over the weekend, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was notified of two initial positive cases tied to the Potomac Soccer Association. As a result […]

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October 1, 2020 | Maryam Shahzad

Silver Spring Restaurant Declared ‘Unsafe Facility’ After COVID-19 Violations

The Society Restaurant & Lounge in Silver Spring has been declared an “Unsafe Facility” by Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles after repeated COVID-19 violations. The Georgia Avenue establishment was ordered to close on Tuesday following an inspection on Saturday. It must remain closed for 30 days or until Gayles approves reopening. Society previously […]

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September 30, 2020 | Maryam Shahzad

Five Things to Know Today, Sept. 30, in Montgomery County

Today is Wednesday, Sept. 30 and here are five things to know in Montgomery County. 1. Weekly COVID-19 Media Briefing: County Executive Marc Elrich and County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles will hold their weekly media briefing at 12:30 p.m. You can watch live on MCM channels 21 and 995 (HD) and on Facebook and County […]

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