'Taking care of your wellness in 2021'

The Worcester County Health Department wishes everyone in Ocean Pines a happy, healthy 2021. We know this year has been a challenge for many of us and we look forward to turning the calendar to 2021. We wanted to remind you that we are here to help our community residents with changes related to improving healthy lifestyle practices in the new year. We offer a variety of health education, prevention, screening, and disease management programs. The Health Department also continues to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Listed below please find additional information about these efforts. 

COVID-19 Testing

Testing Locations and Times:

Martha and Charles Fulton Senior Center (Worcester County Commission on Aging, 4767 Snow Hill Road, Snow Hill, MD 21863), Mondays, 12:30-3:30 pm (December 21, 28 and January 4, 11)

West Ocean City Park and Ride (12848 Ocean Gtwy, Ocean City, MD 21842) Thursdays, 12:30-3:30 pm (December 31 and January 7, 14)

This testing is made available through a partnership between the Worcester County Health Department, Worcester County Commission on Aging, Worcester County Board of Education, Worcester County Emergency Services, and the Town of Ocean City.

Eligibility criteria for testing includes: 

• Live or work in Worcester County
• Adults and children 8 years and older
• Valid photo ID for adults

Appointments are required. To learn more or to schedule an appointment please call 410-632-1100 option 8 then press 1. 

COVID-19 Vaccines

When will we start distributing vaccines? 

• To be determined as the vaccine becomes more available. Currently earmarked for high-priority facilities.  

Where will vaccines be available? 

Maryland will distribute the vaccines to four different priority groups in order of patient risk:

• Phase 1A: Healthcare workers, residents, and staff of long-term care facilities, first responders.
• Phase 1B: People at significantly higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness.
• Phase 2: People in critical, essential infrastructure roles, including essential non-healthcare and transportation workers, and people at moderately higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness.
• Phase 3: General population of the state. 

Prevention Programs and Classes

Youth and Adult Smoking Cessation Programs: Join one of the smoking cessation classes available throughout Worcester County. 

New online youth Smoking Cessation Program (Ages 13-17) from 3pm-4pm., Wednesdays (January 6, 2021-March 10, 2021) and from 4pm-5pm., Thursdays (January 6, 2021-March 11, 2021). 

Adult Smoking Cessation Program From 5pm-6pm., Tuesdays (January 5, 2021-March 23, 2021) Snow Hill Health Department: 6040 Public Landing Rd. Snow Hill, MD 21863

• From 5:30pm-6:30pm; Wednesdays (January 6, 2021-March 24, 2021) Distance Learning Class
• From 1:30pm-2:30pm., Thursdays (January 7, 2021-March 25, 2021), Atlantic Club: 11827 Ocean Gateway Ocean City, MD 21842

Lifestyle Balance: Lifestyle Balance is an evidence-based program proven to prevent people with prediabetes from developing type 2 diabetes. Participants learn about goal setting, tracking food and activity, increasing physical activity, improving eating habits, and losing weight. Research has proven that a 5-7% weight loss and being active 150 minutes/ week prevents individuals with prediabetes from developing type 2 diabetes. A new program is scheduled to begin in February. For more information call 410-632-1100 Ext. 1108.

Narcan Training: Free, virtual Narcan training is now available! You’ll receive a free Narcan kit upon successful completion of the course. Email [email protected] for more information.

Just Walk: Free, self-directed, self-reported, incentive-based physical activity program that rewards members for participating and moving their way. For more information or to enroll call 410-632-1100 Ext. 1108 or visit www.justwalkworcester.org.

Worcester Wellness Weigh: WWW is an online program designed to help educate youth, adults, and families about healthy eating, physical activity, weight management, stress, and financial wellness. The program includes wearable technology and each participant has a “Physical Activity Coach” and a “Healthy Eating Coach” who works with them one on one each week to discuss goals, barriers, successes,  and solutions for overcoming any challenges. A New cohort is scheduled to begin on January 25th! Orientation sessions will be held on the following dates: 

• Tuesday, January 12, 2021 from 5pm-7pm via Google Meet
• Wednesday, January 13, 2021 from 5pm-7pm via Google Meet
• Thursday, January 14, 2021 from 4:30pm-6:30pm via Google Meet

For more information or to enroll today call 410-632-1100 ext 1111.  Registration deadline is January 6th. 

Parent Education: Are you interested in taking a free, online parenting class? Our classes are designed to provide parents/guardians with resources and tools to enhance communication and help their children make healthy life choices for a brighter future. Call 410-632-1100 x1106 for more information.

After School Program: Our Just for Girls and Just for Guys after-school programs are virtual and can be completed at your own pace! Our program teaches life skills, abstinence-only education, alcohol and other drug prevention education and self-esteem building. For each weekly lesson completed, you’ll receive an awesome prize mailed right to your house! The program is open to elementary and middle school students. For more information, please call 410-632-1100 x1109.

Healthy Youth Newsletter: Sign up to receive a copy of the monthly newsletter designed for youth in our county by emailing [email protected]. Topics of the newsletter vary from month to month, but the articles mainly focus on alcohol, tobacco, and drug prevention education; healthy behaviors such as healthy eating and physical activity; and strategies for stress management and life skills. 

Colorectal Cancer Screening: If you are over 50 yrs old, live in Worcester County, have limited income, have no health insurance or a deductible, or just need support getting the screening/ follow-up, you may be eligible for cancer screening at no cost to you. Give us a call at 410-632-1100 extension 1103 to see if we can help! 

Worcester County Goes Red for Women: The Worcester County Health Department in collaboration with Atlantic General Hospital will be celebrating the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign during the month of February. February 1, 2021-February 5, 2021, virtual cooking and activity demonstrations, encouraging testimonials, tips for quitting smoking, and reducing your risk for heart disease will be featured on our Facebook pages all week long. We will also be sponsoring a month-long physical activity challenge. For more information, please call 410-632-1100 extension 1108.

For More Information 

To learn more about all of the programs and resources available through the Worcester County Health Department, and to find links to our podcast, YouTube channel, and other social media, please visit WorcesterHealth.org or call 410-632-1100. You can also follow us on Facebook @WorcesterHealth.