Per UM Capital Region Health (UM Capital):
UM Capital Region Health is committed to supporting our workforce and caring for our communities, and we are proud to serve the people of Prince George’s County. During the last month, UM Capital has seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, substantial boarding in our Emergency Departments and significant staffing shortages.
Per the State of Maryland:
Baltimore, MD—The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced that it is working with congregate care facilities, local health clinics, physicians, and pharmacies statewide to distribute the newly authorized antiviral medicines: Paxlovid and Molnupiravir.
Frederick County, our neighbor to the north, held a Board of Health meeting last night at 7pm that lasted over 5 hours.
County Executive Jan Gardner declared a State of Emergency for Frederick County earlier in the day and the Board of Health voted to put an indoor mask mandate in place starting 5pm today.
American University and Georgetown University have both announced that their upcoming semesters will start virtually, joining George Washington University in the delayed start to in-person learning.
In a letter sent to the American University community, school officials communicated that classes will temporarily move online from January 10 to January 30 with in-person instruction resuming on Monday, January 31 due to increasing Covid cases in the D.C. region and across the country.
Dr. James Gilman, chief executive officer of NIH’s clinical center, announced in an email to staff that elective surgeries would be postponed at Bethesda’s NIH starting next week, according to Reuters.
Reuters reviewed the memo, which also stated that at least 80 clinical center staff called in sick on Wednesday due to Covid-19 infections or exposures.
Council meets on Jan. 4 to introduce, hold a public hearing and vote on an amended Board of Health regulation
For Immediate Release
Current Maryland Comptroller and 2022 gubernatorial candidate, Peter Franchot, has called for a state of emergency to address the surging Omicron variant. The decision would have to be made by Governor Larry Hogan.
Franchot, a Montgomery County resident, is the 33rd Comptroller of Maryland. A member of the Democratic Party, Franchot served for 20 years in the Maryland House of Delegates representing Takoma Park and Silver Spring. He was elected comptroller in 2006, and has subsequently been re-elected three times. Franchot confirmed in January 2020 that he will run for governor of Maryland in 2022.
During today’s media briefing, Montgomery County’s Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Earl Stoddard said that James Bridgers, the acting county health officer, has made a recommendation to the County Council to postpone ending the indoor mask mandate until at least the end of January, even if the county hits an 85% vaccination rate.
On November 2, the council unanimously approved an amendment suggested by Councilmember Andrew Friedson that would terminate the mask mandate altogether after the county hits a vaccination rate of 85% of total population (according to data tracker on CDC website).
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced today that all DCPS students and staff will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before returning to school on January 5.
Tests will be available to pick up at all DC public schools beginning on Monday, January 3.
Per the State of Maryland:
ANNAPOLIS, MD—With Maryland surpassing 2,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide, Governor Larry Hogan today provided Marylanders with an update regarding ongoing emergency actions:
African Art, Postal, Anacostia and Asian Art Museums to Close
Per the Smithsonian: