He said the city is in the midst of another COVID-19 spike.
Frederick, MD (KB) Mayor Michael O’Connor announced that he will keep the City of Frederick’s state of emergency in effect until at least 70% of the community is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or until the city can return to a state of low transmission as per the CDC.
“While I know we all wish and want this pandemic to simply go away, the reality is that we are in the midst of another spike,” he explained. “Our ICU and acute beds at Frederick Health have increased significantly in the last three weeks.”
O’Connor said 60% of the community as it stands is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. He said there is still work to be done as a community to beat the virus.
“Though the worst likely is in the past, Frederick County is at a high transmission level right now, as is much of the state,” he said. “I believe our community and our organization need to see lower transmission rates and hit certain transmission and vaccination targets before I can comfortably say there is no longer a state of emergency in Frederick.”
The Mayor said certain licensure and certification renewals will be extended due to the continued state of emergency.
“Because many of the economic impacts of the pandemic may take longer to resolve than the health ones, due dates on water bills and other billings, the waiver of interest accruals, as well as the extension of various licensure and certification renewals will continue,” O’Connor announced.
Governor Larry Hogan’s declaration of Maryland’s state of emergency expired at midnight on August 15th. O’Connor said because of that, there will be some operational changes in the downtown area.
“Pop-up dining, including the downtown parklets, parking lot use in other areas of the city, and expanded food truck opportunities will end on September 14th,” he said.
The Mayor encouraged residents and employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.