July 3, 2021
St. Mary’s County Health Department Urges All Community Members Age 12+ to Get Vaccinated
The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) has been notified of the first identified Delta variant case of the COVID-19 virus in St. Mary’s County.
The Delta variant thus far appears to be highly transmissible and may be more likely to cause severe illness, including among unvaccinated youth. Elsewhere in the country and across the world, case rates and hospitalizations are increasing among unvaccinated populations and the Delta variant is predicted to become the dominant strain in the U.S.
SMCHD urges all community members age 12 and older to get vaccinated for COVID-19. The available COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and provide protection against this new variant when a person is fully vaccinated (two weeks after the second dose in a 2-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine). For more information or to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, ple
May 14, 2021
On May 15, 2021, St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS), in partnership with St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD), will provide support to all prom events scheduled for SMCPS High Schools.
In addition to precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, prom events will include activities to address young driver safety.
Students will also have the opportunity to use a driver simulator provided by drivesquare.com at their prom events. The simulator utilizes a stationary vehicle parked and equipped with sensors. Drivers wear virtual reality goggles to experience simulations of various driving situations, including high-risk driving scenarios, in the safety of a parking lot. This exercise encourages students to avoid higher-risk driving.
Following authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use of Pfizer vaccine to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age, the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) is expanding eligibility for SMCHD vaccination clinics to include individuals ages 12 and older.
May 4, 2021
The St. Mary’s County Equity Task Force is pleased to announce official state recognition of the two new school-based health centers (SBHCs) in the county, as well as a $650,000 grant awarded to the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) to support clinical service delivery at the SBHCs.
Following a review of operational plans and a joint site visit from the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland State Department of Education, the newly constructed SBHCs at Spring Ridge Middle School and Margaret Brent Middle School have been approved as aligned with Maryland’s school-based health standards for Level III SBHCs. This will allow SMCHD to begin developing clinical services at these sites, including telehealth capacity.
April 25, 2021
The St. Mary’s County Equity Task Force, in partnership with the Housing Authority of St. Mary’s County, Maryland (HASMC), is pleased to announce plans for a future Behavioral Health Hub for St. Mary’s County. The 6,200 square-foot, former PNC Bank branch located on Great Mills Road in Lexington Park, was donated by PNC Bank to HASMC with the intent it would be used as a community Behavioral Health Hub by St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office (SMCSO).
Included among a wide range of services to be provided on-site are COVID-19 testing and vaccinations for frontline and essential workers and community members, particularly those residents who are older or with chronic health conditions. The launch of the facility helps to ensure easier accessibility to critical health services in the community, particularly for an area challenged by significant health disparities.