As Ontario tries to keep a resurgence of COVID-19 cases under control, new data from Public Health Ontario shows only nine fully vaccinated people under 60 have ended up in the ICU.
The report paints the most detailed picture yet of breakthrough cases — and who is getting very sick despite being fully vaccinated — showing that the majority of those who need hospital care are adults over the age of 60, with the highest proportion in their 80s.
Experts say the findings underscore that vaccines are working well to prevent infections and hospitalizations. But they also support opening up third doses of the COVID vaccine to more older adults, and highlight why masking and other public health measures are still critical at this stage of the pandemic to protect the most vulnerable.
“It’s clear that vaccines are working phenomenally well,” said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease expert and a former member of Ontario’s now disbanded vaccine task force.
“But if you look at all the breakthrough cases, there is a greater probability that the older age cohorts will have more serious infections.” Based on this and data from other parts of the world, “it would make sense to expand third dose eligibility to the 50-year-old age cohort and up.”
Third doses have been opened up widely in the U.S. and Israel, but in Ontario only a few groups qualify, including health-care workers, individuals 70 and up, people who got two doses of AstraZeneca or one dose of Johnson & Johnson, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis adults. You have to be 168 days past your second dose to get a third one. Immunocompromised people, transplant recipients, patients with hematological cancers, and seniors living in congregate settings, such as long-term-care homes, retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges, are also eligible.
The Public Health Ontario report, which includes COVID vaccination and case data up until Nov. 14, shows there were only 17,596 breakthrough cases out of the 11.1 million individuals who have completed two doses of the vaccine. As of Nov. 14, there were just 40 cases following a third dose, the data shows.
“The take-home message is that the COVID-19 vaccines … are highly effective at protecting against infection, and particularly effective at protecting against serious outcomes, including hospitalization and death, from COVID-19,” Dr. Sarah Wilson, a public health physician at Public Health Ontario, said in an email to the Star.
As of Nov. 14, unvaccinated individuals made up 91 per cent of COVID cases in Ontario, with breakthrough infections accounting for 3.8 per cent of cases. Public Health Ontario defines a breakthrough case as “individuals who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and were infected more than two weeks after receiving their second dose,” Wilson said.
The report notes a similar trend was observed for COVID hospitalizations and deaths “with unvaccinated cases accounting for 90.9 per cent of hospitalizations and 90.2 per cent of deaths while breakthrough cases accounted for 2.7 per cent of hospitalizations and 3.3 per cent of deaths.” As of Nov. 14, 178 fully vaccinated individuals had died of a COVID infection.
While the data shows older adults are more at risk of hospitalization from a breakthrough infection — particularly those over the age of 80 — the rate of “hospitalizations was higher among unvaccinated individuals compared to fully vaccinated individuals.”
Wilson said the data makes it clear the risk of COVID infection is higher for those who are unvaccinated. For those 60 and older, the risk of being hospitalized with the virus was about 16 times higher for unvaccinated individuals compared to those who had two doses.
Dr. Zain Chagla, an associate professor at McMaster University, said only nine intensive care unit admissions in people under 60 is “pretty remarkable,” but the “opposite side of the coin though is those over 60 probably do require booster doses.”
Especially since global vaccine supply is still strained and there are people in some countries who still don’t have access to first and second doses, “you want to make sure (third doses) are used in people where they’re going to derive the most benefit.”
Lucy Gerardi, who turns 68 soon, would be first in line if third doses were opened up for her age group.
“You just want to have that extra sense of security,” said the retired biology teacher and Oakville resident. As of Tuesday, it has been 168 days since her second shot and she’s been calling around to public health officials trying to get more information about when she can get a third, to no avail.
“You’re just kind of in limbo,” Gerardi said.
“But I guess we should be thankful we at least have two shots, when there are people in the world that have none.”
Nearly 420,000 third doses have been administered in Ontario, according to Ministry of Health spokesperson Bill Campbell, up from 290,000 last week. These numbers will start being reported publicly soon. “Ontario’s plan is to gradually expand eligibility for a booster dose to all Ontarians over time,” he said in an emailed statement. For now, in line with National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations, they are being offered to vulnerable populations, Campbell added.
While the Ontario data shows COVID vaccines work very well, they still do not offer complete protection, said Dr. Abdu Sharkawy, an infectious diseases specialist at University Health Network.
“The message that is distilled from this report should not be one of nihilism, that vaccines just don’t work well enough,” he said. “The vaccines work very well, but they have their limitations.”
That’s why maintaining public health measures, particularly masking and minimizing risks that come with crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces, is still critical, even with a highly immunized population, Sharkawy said.
“We have to maintain a sense of vigilance around those things that can prevent at-risk people from becoming sick. And that means preventing the possibility of breakthrough infection by not simply relying on the vaccines alone.”
Wilson said Public Health Ontario will be publishing further reports on breakthrough infections “that could be used to inform third dose rollout” and that researchers are looking at data on different age groups and the timing of infection after a second dose.
♪ >> I TOOK HER TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, AND THEY SAID THAT’S AS FAR AS YOU CAN GO AND THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH GOODBYE AT THAT POINT. >> THOUSANDS OF MARYLANDERS DYING IN HOSPITALS ALONE. FAMILIES FORCED OUT OF THE WAITING ROOMS AND FORCED TO SAY GOODBYE OVER THE PHONE. THE FINAL TOLL OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, STILL YET TO BE SEEN. >> AND THEY WERE JUST THE SICKEST OF THE SICK. UM … IT REALLY FELT LIKE BEING THERE FOR PEOPLE MATTERED. >> THOSE LOVED ONES CARED FOR IN THEIR FINAL HOURS BY ICU NURSES WHO ARE RISKING IT ALL FOR STRANGERS. HOW THE FRONT LINES HAVE CHANGED IN A YEAR AND THE LONG-AWAITED HOPE A VACCINE IS GIVING MEDICAL WORKERS. [CHEERING AND APPLAUDING] >> BUT WE ALSO GOT TO WITNESS EMOTIONAL MOMENTS LIKE THESE – PATIENTS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL AFTER WEEKS ISOLATED IN ROOMS ALONE. JOIN US OVER THE NEXT HOUR, AS WE SHARE STORIES OF SUFFERING, SURVIVAL AND HOPE. THE PANDEMIC ONE YEAR LATER: A JOURNEY FROM PAIN TO PROMISE ♪ ♪ GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US. STAN: IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE IT’S BEEN A YEAR, SINCE THE “WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION” DECLARED CORONAVIRUS, A “PANDEMIC”. AND WHILE THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ON VACCINES DO NOW OFFER “HOPE”. DEBORAH: OVER THE NEXT HOUR, YOU WON’T HEAR FROM A LOT OF OFFICIALS TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE ALREADY HEARD OUR GOAL IS TO BRING YOU PERSONAL STORIES OF LOSS, YES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY HOPE FOR A NEW SAFE, HEALTHY TOMORROW. STAN: WE BEGIN WITH I-TEAM LEAD INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER JAYNE MILLER. SHE SHOWS US WHERE WE STAND THE ONGOING STRUGGLES AND SHE OFFERS A GLIMPSE OF WHAT THE FUTURE MAY LOOK LIKE. REPORTER: LOCKERRED INTO OUR HOMES, THROWN OUT OF WORK, SICKENED AND MADE TO ENDURE TERRIBLE LOSS. SHE DIED APRIL 8th, 202. SHE WAS 51. BUT FOR CORONAVIRUS, HER HUSBAND SAID, SHE WOULD LIKELY BE WITH US TODAY. A MY WIFE WAS THE PICTURE OF HEALTH. NOT SICK. NOT FAILING. NO, NO, YOU KNOW, NOTHING WE WERE DEALING WITH. YEAH. IF NOT FOR THAT — REPORTER: KI THE FIRST WAVE WHEN TESTING WAS SCARCE AND MEDICINE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE NEW RESPIRATORY VIRUS. >> OH, YOU GOT PNEUMONIA. THEY GAVE HER ANTI-BAY DOTTICCANCE SAID GO HOME. COME BACK IN A WEEK. REPORTER: SHE HE TOOK HER TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND NEVER WOULD LEAVE THE HOSPITAL. >> WE DONNED MASKS AND GLOVES AND TALK HER IN THE CAR AND MADE HER THEN IT BACKSEAT WHICH KNOW WAS PAINFUL, AND TOOK HER TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, AND WE GOT HER TO THE FRONT DOOR AND THEY SAID THAT IS AS FAR Z YOU CAN GO. THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH GOOD-BYE AT THAT POINT. REPORTER: AS OF RAY DAY, MARCH 12th, 2021, 7848 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN MARYLAND FROM CORONAVIRUS RELATED ILLNESS. 88% WERE 60 YEARS OR OLDER. BASED ON 2019. CORONAVIRUS WOULD BE THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH BEHIND HEART DISEASE AND CANCER. >> IN THE U.S., MORE THAN 500,000 PEOPLE HAVE DIED THE PANDEMIC AND MORE THAN 28 MILLION CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. THAT IS OBVIOUSLY AN ENORMOUS TRAGEDY ONE OF THE WORST PUBLIC HEALTH DAISES ON RECORD. WHEN WE TAKE A STEP BACK AND THINK ABOUT WHERE WE ARE. WHAM WE SUFFER INTERESTED OVER THE LAST YEAR, IT IS STRIKING. REPORTER: RIGHT NOW, NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES AVERAGE 831 PER DAY, A SHARP DROP FROM THE 3019 AVERAGE CASES PER DAY DIDN’T MID JANUARY. THIS WEEK, MARYLAND JOINS SOME OTHER STATES IN LIFTING SOME CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS, PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS CAUTION, DON’T RUSH IT. >> I AM EXPECTING THAT IN THE SPRING, WE WILL CONTINUE TO NEED PUSH DOWN CASE COUNTS. RIGHT NOW, OUR CASELOADS ARE AROUND 20 CASE PER 100,000 PER DAY. THAT IS SHOW EPIDEEMOLOGIST THINK ABOUT IT IN THE U.S. I WOULD LIKE TO GET BELOW 10 AS GEL AND PREFERABLY LOWER. REPORTER: THE ECONOMIC IMPACT HAS BEEN HARSH AND MAY LAST SEVERAL YEARS. DONALD ROSS HAS BEEN ABLE TO KEEP THE CATERING BUSINESS GOING ONLY BY PIVOTING TO A MEAL DELIVERY BUSINESS. HI. >> HELLO. RIGHT ON TIME. I AM SURPRISED HOW MANY PEOPLE, SINGLE, FAMILIES, THAT THEN NEED OF COOKED MEAL, HEALTHY COOKED MEALS DELIVERED TO THEIR HOMES AND DAILY BASIS. SO I HAVE V BEEN DOING THREE-DAY, FOUR-DAY, FIVE-DAY MEAL PREP PLAN THAT HAS TAKEN OFF AND SUPPLEMENTED OUR INCOME BECAUSE ALL THE CATERING EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCEL GOING INTO THIS YEAR. REPORTER: DONALD’S RIFE IS ALSO HAVE SMALLING BUSINESS OWNER LIKE MANY OTHER RETAIL AND PERSONAL SERVICE BUSINESSES? HEA HAD TO SHUT DOWN LAST MARCH AND ROPED IN MAY TO LIMITED CAPACITY RULES THAT CONTINUE. >> YOU MAKE ENOUGH TO PAY THE BILLS, BUT WE USED TO NORMAL ROTATION, WHERE YOU ARE DOING MORE THAN EIGHT PEOPLE A DAY. YOU ARE DOING UP TO 15 POPE, KNOW, THE INCOME CUT WAS CUT DRASTICALLY, BUT AS LONG AS WE CAN STILL WORK. I AM FINE. REPORTER: DECEMBER 2019, MARLEI REPORTED 2. 8 MILLION JOBS. IN DECEMBER 2020. THE STATE REPORTED ABOUT 2.6 MILLION. 124, 700 THROWS PANDEMIC. RY WAS A MEDICAL AUDITOR. REPORTER: AMANDA EDWARD HAS WITNESS OUT OF WORK FOR THERE LAMB FULL YEAR SHE IS NOW BATTLING THE STATE’S UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM TO COLLECT BENEFITS. HER NEXT JOB UNCERTAIN. HAS BEEN A HUGE STRUGGLE. I DON’T KNEE TO DO. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? EVERYBODY SAYS, ASSISTANCE, AND HELP AND SAUL OF THAT STUFF. YOU CAN’T GET INTO TOUCH WITH NOBODY. ARE IS TRYING TO GET HELP NOW WITH THE ECONOMY EVERYTHING GOING ON. THE PANDEMIC HAS EXPOSED ANOTHER LAYER OF RACE DISPARITY. BLACK PEOPLE MAKE UP 31% OF THE STATE’S POPULATION. THEY REPRESENT 34.3% OF COVID DEATHS. AND THE GAP IS WIDE IN VACCINATIONS. TO DATE, 62.6% OF PEOPLE IN MARYLAND FULLY VACCINATED R WHITE. 15.5% ARE BLACK. TRY LOOK FORWARD. ADRIENNE HARPER, 11 MONTHS AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE IS NOW WORKING ON A CAMPAIGN TO URGE BLACK PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED. >> I GOT A DOZEN FRIENDS WHO LOST THEIR PARENTS DOING THIS. ONE OF THE BEST FRIENDS IS ARKANSAS RIGHT NOW AND HIS MOTHER’S FUNERAL WAS YESTERDAY. ANOTHER GUY WAS WORKING WITH ME ON PROJECT IN THE MIDST OF THE PROJECT HIS SON DIED LAST THURSDAY. THEY BAR RID HIM SATURDAY. HA DO THE NEXT FEW MONTHS LOOK LIKE. DR. RIVER INTERESTS THE JOHNS HOPKINS CENTER FOR HEALTH SECURITY TELLS ME SHE THINKS CASE NUMBERS WOMEN PROVE THROUGH THE SPRING AND SUMMER AND CONCERNED ABOUT THE FALL DUE TO THE VARIANTS OF THE VIRUS NOW CIRCULATING. I AM JAYNE MILLER, WBAL, TV 11 YOU NEWS. >> THANK YOU. AS THE PANDEMIC CRIPPLED OUR NATION’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS STOOD FIRM ON THE FRONT LINES FIGHTING THIS INVISIBLE WAR. AND WITH WAR, SADLY, CAME HEARTACHE FOR THOUSANDS OF MARYLANDERS AS MANY PATIENTS SPENT THEIR LAST MOMENTS, NOT SURROUNDED BY FAMILY, BUT DOCTORS AND NURSES 11-NEWS’ REPORTER TRE WARD SAT DOWN WITH A FRONT LINE NURSE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HE’S EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST YEAR. TRE: FOR THE LAST 14 YEARS, NURSE ANDREW ROWLINGSON HAS WORKED HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND ST. JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER AS A BEDSIDE NURSE. BUT, IT WAS THE PAST YEAR WHERE HIS JOB WOULD BE CHALLENGED. [BEEPING HEART BEAT MACHINE >> KNOWING THAT THEIR FAMILIES WERE HOURS AND HOURS AWAY, AND THEY WERE JUST THE SICKEST OF THE SICK >> WORKING TO KEEP MAINTAIN LIVES. KNOW, WITH COVID HITTING. EVERYTHING SHUTTING DOWN. NOT BEING ABLE TO HAVE VISITORS. YOU FELT THAT LONELINESS, THAT PATIENTS CAN GO THROUGH HERE. REPORTER: NURSE ROWLINGSON SPENT THE 14-AREA CAREER. >> I REALLY CONNECTED WITH THE BEDSIDE AND INSPIRED BY THE PATIENTS AND THE WORK THAT YOU DO, BAITS REALLY, IT REALLY MATTERS. REPORT WHERE WERE WE PET INSIDE OF THE GARDEN. A JUST LITTER LAY SPACE FOR STAFF, FAMILY, PATIENTS EVEN ITS NAMESAKE. A THIS HAS ACTUALLY BEEN A PRETTY GREAT SPACE FOR EVERYBODY. >> HOPING NOT ONLY PATIENTS, BUT STAFF GET THROUGH SOME DARK TIMES. >> ON THROUGH COVID. THIS HAS BEEN AN ESCAPE TO BE OUT HERE. WE BROUGHT A HANDFUL DOWN HERE FROM THE CRITICAL CARE UNIT AND WE BROUGHT THEM DOWN HEAR AND IT HAS TURNED HE COURSE OF THE RECOVERIES AROUND. HE SAID THERE WERE TIMES WHEN RECOVERY WAS NOT AN OPTION AS THE PAST YEAR IN THE FACE SAW DEATH OVER. >> SOME CINEMAS WERE SO SICK CUE NOT TALK TO THE MAINTAIN. WITHIN HOURS OF THEM ARRIVING. YOU JUST KNEW THAT WERE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT. >> AND OVER. >> OVER. >> MAKING THAT PHONE CAL TO, NO HE, TO FAMILY YOU NEVER MET, TO LET THEM KNOW, YOU MADE IT HERE, BUT YOU KNOW, YOUR LOVED WINCE NOT GOING TO MAKE. YOU. >> A IT IS A HARD CONVERSATION. >> BUT THERE WAS ONCE SADNESS IN THE HALLWAYS, NOW LIVES OPTIMISM. THE FIRST DAY WE HAVE NO PATIENCES WITH CO SLIND ICU. WHICH IS PRETTY GREAT. >> AFTER YEARLONG BATTLE FIGHTING TO FEET THIS INVISIBLE OPPONENT. >> THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK EARLY ON WITH THIS SAYING NO ONE ASKED FOR THIS. THIS IS NOT WHAT NURSES SIGNED UP FOR. THIS IS WHAT DOCTORS SIGNED UP FOR OTHER ANYONE. IT IS WHAT WAS HANDED US TO AND INSPIRED BY JUST THE SHEER RESOLVE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY WHO STOOD UP. SACK FY SACRIFICE SOD MUCH. >> HEROIC SACRIFICE STANG UP AGAINST EVER CHANGING DY SEES KEEP COUNTLESS PEOPLE LIVING ANOTHER DAY. >> THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS IMPRESSED ABOUT THIS INDUSTRIES THE RESILIENCE, JUST THE SHEER POWER OF THE PEOPLE TO MAKE, MAKE THINGS WORK TO OVERCOME THE OBSTACLE THAT WE FACE. ALL THE CHALLENGES TO NOT LENT AT SOLVING THE PROBLEMS THEN TRYING TO OVERCOME. >> REPORTING FROM TOWNSEND, T RE
COVID-19 in Maryland: interactive map, case data, helpful links
Updated: 10:12 AM EDT Apr 5, 2021
What’s New: Week of March 29, 2021The U.S. may face another COVID-19 surge soon — one that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief says “truly is avoidable.” Health experts across the country have urged state leaders to wait a little longer before easing COVID-19 restrictions and Americans to double down on safety measures as the country races to vaccinate more people. || Vaccine Info | Where to get tested | Timeline ||A joint WHO-China study on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission of the virus from bats to humans through another animal is the most likely scenario and that a lab leak is “extremely unlikely,” according to a draft copy obtained by The Associated Press.A new study has found evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, infects the cells in the mouth including the salivary glands — which may explain some COVID-19 symptoms such as loss of taste and dry mouth.Isolated by the pandemic, older adults were hard hit by loneliness caused by restrictions intended to keep people safe. But now, the people who were once most at risk from COVID-19 are beginning to move forward with getting their lives on track as nearly 45% of Americans who are 65 and older are now fully vaccinated. Don’t see interactive map/graphs? Tap hereBy the numbers: Monday, April 5Number of confirmed cases : 418,188Number of persons tested negative : 3,197,017Total testing volume : 8,920,479Daily testing Volume : 17,080Number of confirmed deaths : 8,177Number of probable deaths : 186Currently hospitalized : 1,165Acute care : 905Intensive care : 260Ever hospitalized : 38,425Released from isolation : 9,919Statewide positivity rate (MDH): 5.79%More MDH data: Nursing home cases | School outbreaks | Contact tracing dataCases and Deaths Data BreakdownNote: Parenthesis = Number of confirmed deathsAsterisk = Number of probable deathsNH = Non-HispanicCASES, (DEATHS) & PROBABLE DEATHS* BY COUNTY:Allegany 6,559 (203) 1*Anne Arundel 39,578 (557) 14*Baltimore City 45,825 (929) 22*Baltimore County 57,222 (1,341) 35*Calvert 3,951 (73) 1*Caroline 2,151 (22) 0*Carroll 8,439 (215) 5*Cecil 5,463 (125) 2*Charles 9,895 (174) 2*Dorchester 2,500 (48) 1*Frederick 18,425 (293) 9*Garrett 1,914 (61) 1*Harford 14,490 (255) 4*Howard 17,605 (223) 6*Kent 1,244 (43) 2*Montgomery 67,303 (1,435) 46*Prince George’s 78,948 (1,365) 29*Queen Anne’s 2,739 (40) 1*St. Mary’s 5,485 (123) 0*Somerset 2,484 (37) 0*Talbot 1,975 (36) 0*Washington 13,425 (260) 3*Wicomico 7,144 (151) 0*Worcester 3,424 (94) 1*Data not available 0 (74) 1*CASES, (DEATHS) & PROBABLE DEATHS* BY AGE:0-9 21,783 (3) 0*10-19 41,278 (6) 1*20-29 76,590 (35) 1*30-39 71,622 (81) 6*40-49 62,897 (226) 5*50-59 62,859 (643) 25*60-69 42,305 (1,329) 18*70-79 23,608 (2,090) 38*80+ 15,246 (3,762) 92*Data not available 0 (2) 0*CASES, (DEATHS) & PROBABLE DEATHS* BY GENDER:Female 218,461 (3,936) 91*Male 199,727 (4,241) 95*CASES, (DEATHS) & PROBABLE DEATHS* BY RACE AND ETHNICITY:African-American (NH) 124,176 (2,819) 66*Asian (NH) 9,905 (287) 7*White (NH) 146,789 (4,177) 97*Hispanic 65,166 (740) 15*Other (NH) 19,667 (83) 0*Data not available 52,485 (71) 1*ZIP CODES WITH HIGHEST CASE COUNTS:20906 – Aspen Hill: 6,464 cases21740 – Hagerstown: 5,700 cases20783 – Adelphi: 5,257 cases20904 – Colesville: 4,849 cases20902 – Wheaton/Glenmont: 4,781 casesMore ZIP codes 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 does Maryland compare to other states?Mobile users tap here to see the interactive map.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HELPFUL LINKS GET TESTED: Where and how to get tested for coronavirus in MarylandCOVID-19 DATA: Johns Hopkins | Maryland Department of Health | en EspañolBALTIMORE DATA: Baltimore City coronavirus data, resourcesSCHOOL DASHBOARDS: Carroll | City | Baltimore Co. | HowardTIMELINE: See a comprehensive timeline of the coronavirus in MarylandWhat are the COVID-19 restrictions in Maryland? Gov. Larry Hogan lifted capacity limits and some COVID-19 restrictions, which took effect March 12.WHERE TO GET TESTEDShould I get tested for COVID-19? Where can I get a test in Maryland?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you should consider taking a COVID-19 test if you:have symptoms of COVID-19.have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, local/external icon or state health department.Tap here for updated information on state testing sites, and see an map of testing locations.The FDA has also approved a test for COVID-19 that you can take at home. The test kits are available for purchase on Amazon with a turnaround time for results of 24 to 72 hours after the sample is shipped and received. WHERE TO GET THE VACCINEClick here for more information about where to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Maryland.UNEMPLOYMENTApply for unemployment insurance online here, or call 410-949-0022.Click here to access the BEACON applicationIf you have questions about the new application, you can read the DOL’s BEACON One-Stop FAQs.More information: How to apply for unemployment insuranceFOOD STAMPS (SNAP), MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, WICFAQ for SNAP and medical assistance and other social servicesInformation on WIC — nutrition program for women, infants and children, administered through the Maryland Department of HealthFOOD, CASH, MEDICAL, ENERGY, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCESubmit food, cash, energy, emergency and aged/blind/disabled medical assistance applications online via the Department of Human Services website or the MyDHR portal. Medical Assistance applications for families, children and pregnant women should be submitted by visiting the Maryland Health Connection website. Those who need long-term care medical assistance should submit applications, redetermination applications and verifications through the My MDThink Portal. COVID SURVIVORS WEBSITEThe state launched an online registry for those who have recovered from the coronavirus.”Each of the recovered coronavirus patients in Maryland has a story to tell and a role to play in our efforts to save lives and slow the spread of this virus,” Hogan said April 10.COVID CONNECT will serve as a community platform to share experiences and to lend support to others who are coping with the recovery process.VOLUNTEERMarylanders can donate their time and talents by signing up for the Maryland Responds Reserve Medical Corps, donate blood and support local food banks, places of worship and other charitable organizations.SENIOR CITIZENSMaryland is helping to keep families connected with the nation’s first-ever Senior Call Check Program. Participants who are 65 years or older will receive a call every day between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., depending on which time window they choose. If they can’t be reached, officials will call someone designated by the participant to check up on them.To register, call 866-50-CHECK or visit aging.maryland.gov to register.Coronavirus – What you should knowThe following information is from the CDC: The following symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure. This list does not include all possible symptoms. The CDC will continue to update this list as they learn more about the virus.Fever or chillsCoughShortness of breath or difficulty breathingFatigue Muscle or body achesHeadacheSore throatNew loss of taste or smellCongestion or runny noseNausea of vomitingDiarrheaReported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus cases. Emergency care for COVID-19 symptomsThe CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:Trouble breathingPersistent pain or pressure in the chestNew confusionInability to wake or stay awakeBluish lips or faceThis list is not all possible symptoms. Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.Who is most at risk for coronavirus?Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms of COVID-19, according to the CDC.Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from the virus.Flu or COVID-19: What’s the difference?Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. That’s when testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis.There are some key differences between flu and COVID-19. The CDC says it seems COVID-19 spreads more easily than flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. It can also take longer before people show symptoms of COVID-19 and people can be contagious for a longer period of time than the flu.Another difference is there is a vaccine to protect against the flu. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.Know how to protect yourself and othersKnow what to do if you are sickGet more CDC coronavirus information here
What’s New: Week of March 29, 2021
The U.S. may face another COVID-19 surge soon — one that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief says “truly is avoidable.” Health experts across the country have urged state leaders to wait a little longer before easing COVID-19 restrictions and Americans to double down on safety measures as the country races to vaccinate more people.
|| Vaccine Info | Where to get tested | Timeline ||
A joint WHO-China study on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission of the virus from bats to humans through another animal is the most likely scenario and that a lab leak is “extremely unlikely,” according to a draft copy obtained by The Associated Press.
A new study has found evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, infects the cells in the mouth including the salivary glands — which may explain some COVID-19 symptoms such as loss of taste and dry mouth.
Isolated by the pandemic, older adults were hard hit by loneliness caused by restrictions intended to keep people safe. But now, the people who were once most at risk from COVID-19 are beginning to move forward with getting their lives on track as nearly 45% of Americans who are 65 and older are now fully vaccinated.
Don’t see interactive map/graphs? Tap here
By the numbers: Monday, April 5
Number of confirmed cases : 418,188 Number of persons tested negative : 3,197,017 Total testing volume : 8,920,479 Daily testing Volume : 17,080 Number of confirmed deaths : 8,177 Number of probable deaths : 186 Currently hospitalized : 1,165 Acute care : 905 Intensive care : 260 Ever hospitalized : 38,425 Released from isolation : 9,919
Statewide positivity rate (MDH): 5.79%
More MDH data: Nursing home cases | School outbreaks | Contact tracing data
Cases and Deaths Data Breakdown
Note: Parenthesis = Number of confirmed deaths Asterisk = Number of probable deaths NH = Non-Hispanic
CASES, (DEATHS) & PROBABLE DEATHS* BY COUNTY:
Allegany 6,559 (203) 1*
Anne Arundel 39,578 (557) 14*
Baltimore City 45,825 (929) 22*
Baltimore County 57,222 (1,341) 35*
Calvert 3,951 (73) 1*
Caroline 2,151 (22) 0*
Carroll 8,439 (215) 5*
Cecil 5,463 (125) 2*
Charles 9,895 (174) 2*
Dorchester 2,500 (48) 1*
Frederick 18,425 (293) 9*
Garrett 1,914 (61) 1*
Harford 14,490 (255) 4*
Howard 17,605 (223) 6*
Kent 1,244 (43) 2*
Montgomery 67,303 (1,435) 46*
Prince George’s 78,948 (1,365) 29*
Queen Anne’s 2,739 (40) 1*
St. Mary’s 5,485 (123) 0*
Somerset 2,484 (37) 0*
Talbot 1,975 (36) 0*
Washington 13,425 (260) 3*
Wicomico 7,144 (151) 0*
Worcester 3,424 (94) 1*
Data not available 0 (74) 1*
CASES, (DEATHS) & PROBABLE DEATHS* BY AGE:
0-9 21,783 (3) 0*
10-19 41,278 (6) 1*
20-29 76,590 (35) 1*
30-39 71,622 (81) 6*
40-49 62,897 (226) 5*
50-59 62,859 (643) 25*
60-69 42,305 (1,329) 18*
70-79 23,608 (2,090) 38*
80+ 15,246 (3,762) 92*
Data not available 0 (2) 0*
CASES, (DEATHS) & PROBABLE DEATHS* BY GENDER:
Female 218,461 (3,936) 91*
Male 199,727 (4,241) 95*
CASES, (DEATHS) & PROBABLE DEATHS* BY RACE AND ETHNICITY:
African-American (NH) 124,176 (2,819) 66*
Asian (NH) 9,905 (287) 7*
White (NH) 146,789 (4,177) 97*
Hispanic 65,166 (740) 15*
Other (NH) 19,667 (83) 0*
Data not available 52,485 (71) 1*
ZIP CODES WITH HIGHEST CASE COUNTS:
20906 – Aspen Hill: 6,464 cases
21740 – Hagerstown: 5,700 cases
20783 – Adelphi: 5,257 cases
20904 – Colesville: 4,849 cases
20902 – Wheaton/Glenmont: 4,781 cases
More ZIP codes here
How does Maryland compare to other states?
Mobile users tap here to see the interactive map.
HELPFUL LINKS
What are the COVID-19 restrictions in Maryland?
Gov. Larry Hogan lifted capacity limits and some COVID-19 restrictions, which took effect March 12.
WHERE TO GET TESTED
Should I get tested for COVID-19? Where can I get a test in Maryland?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you should consider taking a COVID-19 test if you:
have symptoms of COVID-19.
have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, local/external icon or state health department.
Tap here for updated information on state testing sites, and see an map of testing locations.
The FDA has also approved a test for COVID-19 that you can take at home. The test kits are available for purchase on Amazon with a turnaround time for results of 24 to 72 hours after the sample is shipped and received.
WHERE TO GET THE VACCINE
Click here for more information about where to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Maryland.
UNEMPLOYMENT
Apply for unemployment insurance online here, or call 410-949-0022.
If you have questions about the new application, you can read the DOL’s BEACON One-Stop FAQs.
More information: How to apply for unemployment insurance
FOOD STAMPS (SNAP), MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, WIC
Information on WIC — nutrition program for women, infants and children, administered through the Maryland Department of Health
FOOD, CASH, MEDICAL, ENERGY, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Submit food, cash, energy, emergency and aged/blind/disabled medical assistance applications online via the Department of Human Services website or the MyDHR portal.
Medical Assistance applications for families, children and pregnant women should be submitted by visiting the Maryland Health Connection website. Those who need long-term care medical assistance should submit applications, redetermination applications and verifications through the My MDThink Portal.
COVID SURVIVORS WEBSITE
The state launched an online registry for those who have recovered from the coronavirus.
“Each of the recovered coronavirus patients in Maryland has a story to tell and a role to play in our efforts to save lives and slow the spread of this virus,” Hogan said April 10.
COVID CONNECT will serve as a community platform to share experiences and to lend support to others who are coping with the recovery process.
VOLUNTEER
Marylanders can donate their time and talents by signing up for the Maryland Responds Reserve Medical Corps, donate blood and support local food banks, places of worship and other charitable organizations.
SENIOR CITIZENS
Maryland is helping to keep families connected with the nation’s first-ever Senior Call Check Program. Participants who are 65 years or older will receive a call every day between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., depending on which time window they choose. If they can’t be reached, officials will call someone designated by the participant to check up on them.
To register, call 866-50-CHECK or visit aging.maryland.gov to register.
Coronavirus – What you should know
The following information is from the CDC: The following symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure. This list does not include all possible symptoms. The CDC will continue to update this list as they learn more about the virus.
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea of vomiting
Diarrhea
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus cases.
Emergency care for COVID-19 symptoms
The CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Bluish lips or face
This list is not all possible symptoms. Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
Who is most at risk for coronavirus?
Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms of COVID-19, according to the CDC.
Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from the virus.
Flu or COVID-19: What’s the difference?
Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. That’s when testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis.
There are some key differences between flu and COVID-19. The CDC says it seems COVID-19 spreads more easily than flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. It can also take longer before people show symptoms of COVID-19 and people can be contagious for a longer period of time than the flu.
Another difference is there is a vaccine to protect against the flu. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.
