Coronavirus Archives - Page 2 of 51

Published September 1, 2022 at 11:32AM

On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines to be used as a booster dose. According to the FDA, these vaccines “include an mRNA component of the original strain to provide an immune response that is broadly protective against COVID-19 and an mRNA component in common between the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5 lineages to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant.”

Regarding availability in Montgomery County, the Department of Health and Human Services tweeted: “Once the vaccines receive final approval from @CDCgov, we must wait for vaccine supply and written guidance from @MDHealthDept. We will keep you posted.”

Health

Community Message from the MCPS Medical Officer Regarding COVID-19

By Patrick Herron

Published August 25, 2022 at 11:20AM

Montgomery County Public schools sent out the following community message from MCPS Medical Officer Patricia Kapunan, M.D. on Thursday, August 25:

Vaccines are an important way to lower individual risk of severe complications from COVID-19 infection. A high vaccine coverage rate helps reduce the overall burden of COVID-19 on the school community and helps keep learning going, as individuals with milder symptoms will miss fewer school or work days. We continue to strongly recommend students receive all recommended COVID-19 vaccines and boosters for which they are eligible. At this time, COVID-19 vaccination is required for staff unless approved for a medical exemption. We will continue to provide opportunities for students, staff and family members to receive COVID-19 vaccines atafter-school and weekend events.

Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Prince George’s County Public Schools to Reinstate Mandatory Mask Policy

By Patrick Herron

Published August 12, 2022 at 6:44PM

When responding to public health threats such as COVID-19, Maryland school districts have flexibility in determining mask-wearing policies. In July, PGCPS transitioned from mandatory mask-wearing to a mask-optional policy for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.

Health

Montgomery County Health Officials Release COVID-19 Epidemiology Surveillance Report

By Patrick Herron

Published July 12, 2022 at 5:14PM

The report provides statistics and epidemiology profiles of COVID-19, including infections, testing, hospitalization, deaths, vaccinations, outbreaks and contact tracing. According to the CDC’s COVID-19 community level map, as of March 2022, when the report’s data were last updated, transmission in Montgomery County was in the “low” category. As of late June, the transmission level in the community is in the “medium” category. This is likely to change as new variants and sub-lineages continue to evolve over time.

“Montgomery County fares better than the State and national averages for most indicators related to COVID-19, but vulnerable population subgroups and communities disproportionally impacted by the pandemic remain a top priority to address through the lens of social determinants,” said acting County Health Officer James Bridgers. “Our goal is to implement the evidence-based and data-driven approaches to enhance our programs and services to respond to the pandemic proactively to meet the public health needs of Montgomery County.”

Beyond MoCo

Governor Hogan Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Hauts-de-France; Discusses War in Ukraine, Cybersecurity with Secretary General at Élysée Palace in Paris

By Patrick Herron

Published June 22, 2022 at 12:06PM

“Maryland has more horses per square mile than any other state in America and a thriving horse industry that is vital to our state’s economy,” said Governor Hogan. “We have a long tradition of French horses, owners, trainers, and jockeys competing in Maryland, and we look forward to expanding this valuable partnership.”

The agreement was signed during the Prix de Diane Race in Chantilly, France—a Group 1 flat horse race that is open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. Maryland is a leader in the horse industry, annually hosting both the Preakness Stakes—the second jewel of the Triple Crown—and the Maryland 5 Star, which is one of only two 5 Star events in the United States, and only the seventh in the world. The horse industry adds more than $1.3 billion and more than 21,000 jobs to the state’s economy.

Health

Montgomery County to Begin Vaccinating Children Ages 6 Months to 5 Years

By Patrick Herron

Published June 22, 2022 at 12:04PM

““It is good news that this last age group is now eligible to receive their vaccine doses,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We know that many parents are anxious to get their babies and young children vaccinated as quickly as possible. As we have seen with previous vaccine roll-outs, we expect great demand over the next couple of weeks for these vaccines with limited supply available. Because the majority of the vaccines are going to private pediatric providers, we encourage all parents to check with their pediatrician’s office before using our website to sign up for an appointment,” he said. “I am grateful for the preparation, planning and outreach efforts from DHHS and our community partners to ensure equitable access to these vaccines,” he continued. “Getting vaccinated and boosted is important to our COVID mitigation efforts, and we continue to encourage everyone to make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations.”

When vaccine supply is available, new appointments will be posted at 3 p.m. at www.GoVaxMoCo.com. County-operated clinics for this age group will focus on weekend clinics and will include some weekday evening hours. Appointments are required at this time. The County will continue to receive doses from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), with the majority of doses going to private physicians and pharmacies.

Health

All Marylanders Six Months and Older Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine

By Patrick Herron

Published June 22, 2022 at 9:53AM

COVID-19 vaccines are now available for Marylanders six months and older, according to the Maryland Department of Health. Visit https://montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/ for information on vaccine clinics in Montgomery County.

“We welcome having COVID-19 vaccines to help protect our youngest Marylanders against severe illness, hospitalization, or even death from this virus and strongly encourage parents to vaccinate their children,” said MDH Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “We have been preparing to receive these COVID-19 vaccines and, utilizing our vast network of pediatricians, family practitioners, federally qualified health centers, pharmacies, and local health departments, will begin distributing them equitably across the state right away.”

Beyond MoCo

CDC to End COVID-19 Test Requirements for International Air Travelers This Sunday

By Patrick Herron

Published June 10, 2022 at 11:36AM

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will no longer require international travelers coming to the U.S. to provide a negative COVID-19 test result, according to CNN. The change will go into effect at midnight on June 12. The requirement has been in place since January 2021. A formal announcement is expected today from the White House.

The Associated Press reports that the CDC determined that the requirement is no longer necessary and that the agency would “reevaluate the need for the testing requirement every 90 days and that it could be reinstated if a troubling new variant emerges.”

Health

Governor Hogan Encourages Marylanders to Get Boosted This Week to Qualify For $1 Million Vax Cash 2.0 Grand Prize Drawing

By Patrick Herron

Published April 26, 2022 at 8:37PM

Per the State of Maryland:

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan and state health officials today encouraged Marylanders to get boosted between now and Monday, May 2, to qualify for next week’s VaxCash 2.0 $1 million grand prize drawing.

Health

MCPS Changes COVID-19 Contact Tracing Procedures

By Patrick Herron

Published April 26, 2022 at 2:33PM

We continue to work in collaboration with our county health partners and, in the event of an identified COVID-19 outbreak, we will conduct contact tracing and inform the school community of additional mitigation strategies, which may include mask-wearing and PCR or rapid testing on-site or at home. We will monitor the number of cases and adjust our strategy to ensure the health and safety of students, staff and communities.

Montgomery County Public Schools

Gaithersburg

Novavax Announces Initiation of COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Study in Adolescents in Phase 3 PREVENT-19 Trial

By Patrick Herron

Published April 25, 2022 at 9:48AM

GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 22, 2022/PRNewswire/ — Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, has initiated administration of the first booster doses of NVX-CoV2373, the company’s protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, in the pediatric expansion of the PREVENT-19 pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial. The study will evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a third dose of NVX-CoV2373 among trial participants aged 12 through 17.

“We see the ongoing need for alternative vaccine options because we are continuing to monitor spikes in COVID-19,” said Gregory M. Glenn, M.D., President, Research and Development, Novavax. “The expansion of our PREVENT-19 booster trial into the pediatric population reinforces our commitment to seek to make our vaccine available to a broader population.”