covid Archives - The MoCo Show

Published November 21, 2022 at 3:07PM

Per the State of Maryland—Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced that more than one million Marylanders have received their COVID-19 bivalent booster since September in order to be COVIDReady in time for the holidays. “Through our COVIDReady plan, Maryland continues to be one of the most vaccinated and boosted states in the country,” said Governor Hogan. “We are grateful for the everyday vigilance of Marylanders, and the leadership of our GoVAX ambassadors, who have reminded us that we truly are all in this together.”

(Watch)

Health

Governor Larry Hogan Tests Positive for COVID-19

By Patrick Herron

Published October 31, 2022 at 1:02PM

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced today that he has tested positive for COVID-19. In a tweet Hogan said, “Just wanted to let Marylanders know that after testing positive for COVID-19, I am working from home. Fortunately, I’m up to date on my boosters and my symptoms are minimal” and directed residents to visit covidvax.maryland.gov to find a nearby vaccine clinic.

To date, more than 710,000 Marylanders have received the COVID-19 bivalent booster, further protecting themselves against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. With flu hospitalizations also increasing earlier and faster than in previous years, state health officials continue to encourage Marylanders to get their COVID-19 and flu shots simultaneously. Starting next week, state health officials will launch a new “Flooster” television, radio, and social media ad campaign to amplify this message.

Health

Governor Hogan Announces Statewide Preparedness Efforts to Address Increase in RSV and Potential COVID-19 and Flu Surges

By Patrick Herron

Published October 28, 2022 at 1:32PM

ANNAPOLIS, MD—As hospitals in the region and across the country experience an increase in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) admissions, Governor Larry Hogan today announced a series of new mitigation actions, along with preparedness efforts for potential fall and winter COVID-19 and flu surges in Maryland. “After meeting with our multi-agency public health task force yesterday and reviewing all of the data, I am announcing these steps to give our hospitals more tools to expand bed capacity for pediatric patients,” said Governor Hogan. “We also continue to encourage Marylanders to be COVIDReady, so that we remain one of the most vaccinated and boosted states, and stay ahead of the virus.”

Hospitals Directed to Utilize Additional State Funding to Prioritize Pediatric ICU Staffing. RSV hospitalizations are increasing earlier and more rapidly than in previous years, with the 0-2 age group comprising 57% of hospitalizations. On October 14, the Maryland Department of Health announced $80 million in additional funding for healthcare providers across the state. Hospitals will receive $25 million and have been directed in award letters issued today to utilize these resources to increase the hiring and recruitment of staff. For facilities with pediatric ICU and/or inpatient beds, awards should prioritize staffing those units appropriately before considering other non-pediatric units. All hospitals are also strongly urged to collaborate with neighboring hospitals on pediatric patient care coordination.

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.

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

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.”

Gaithersburg

Novavax’ COVID-19-Influenza Vaccine Trial Shows Feasibility of Combination Vaccine

By Patrick Herron

Published April 21, 2022 at 11:22AM

“We continue to evaluate the dynamic public health landscape and believe there may be a need for recurrent boosters to fight both COVID-19 and seasonal influenza,” said Gregory M. Glenn, M.D., President of Research and Development, Novavax. “We’re encouraged by these data and the potential path forward for a combination COVID-19-influenza vaccine as well as stand-alone vaccines for influenza and COVID-19.”

The safety and tolerability profile of the combination vaccine was consistent with the stand-alone NVX-CoV2373 and quadrivalent nanoparticle influenza vaccine reference formulations in the trial. The combination vaccine was found to be generally well tolerated. Serious adverse were rare and none were assessed as being related to the vaccine.

Health

CDC Extends Travel Mask Requirement Until May 3rd, Masks Will Continue to be Required on Ride On and Other Public Transportation

By Patrick Herron

Published April 13, 2022 at 1:56PM

The Associated Press is reporting that the CDC will now be extending the mask requirement for travel until May 3rd to “allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant that is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.”

Yesterday we reported that residents will no longer be required to wear face coverings when they are passengers on Metro, Metro Bus, Ride-On, and in taxis (including Uber & Lyft) after April 18. That is no longer the case.

Travel

Update: CDC Extends Travel Mask Requirement Until May 3rd, Masks Will Continue to be Required on Ride On and Other Public Transportation

By Patrick Herron

Published April 12, 2022 at 1:14PM | Updated April 13, 2022 at 12:30PM

The Associated Press is reporting that the CDC will now be extending the mask requirement for travel until May 3rd to “allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant that is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.”

Yesterday we reported that residents will no longer be required to wear face coverings when they are passengers on Metro, Metro Bus, Ride-On, and in taxis (including Uber & Lyft) after April 18. That is no longer the case.

Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Based Novavax Announces Participation in Two Booster Studies Using its COVID-19 Vaccine

By Patrick Herron

Published March 28, 2022 at 11:30AM

GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 25, 2022/PRNewswire/ — Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, today announced that NVX-CoV2373, its protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, is included in two trials now underway to evaluate its vaccine’s safety, immunogenicity, and reactogenicity as a booster amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Both studies have initiated participant enrollment and will help to extend knowledge of how a range of vaccines, including Novavax’ COVID-19 vaccine, can be used as boosters following primary immunization.

“Additional COVID-19 booster studies are important to support vaccine choice for individuals, healthcare providers, and public health authorities,” said Filip Dubovsky, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Novavax. “Our COVID-19 vaccine has already been recommended by multiple national policy bodies for both primary vaccination and booster settings in individuals 18 years of age and older. We look forward to adding to this body of evidence to support the expanded use of our protein-based vaccine.”

Maryland

Unemployment Claims in Maryland Are 40.21% Lower Than Pre-COVID Levels – WalletHub Study

By MCS Staff

Published March 11, 2022 at 7:00AM

Maryland is having a successful recovery from new unemployment claims, with last week’s claims lower than in the same week in 2019, according to WalletHub’s updated rankings for the States Whose Unemployment Claims Are Recovering the Quickest.

The U.S., in general, is making significant progress in the fight against COVID-19 with the distribution of the vaccine and boosters, and this has been reflected in the job market, despite new unemployment claims increasing slightly week-over-week on February 28.