Across the state, the Maryland Department of Health’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard details a noticeable uptick in COVID-19 cases, with a 7-day positivity rate of 8.12% and 2,770 new cases reported within the last 24 hours as of the morning of May 19th. 
Maryland’s counties have remained active in combatting any potential surges. Some specific actions taken by our counties include the following:
- Anne Arundel has requested residents wear masks indoors, get boosted, and receive testing as needed, and is also encouraging students to wear masks indoors for ten days.
- Baltimore City recommends residents wear masks indoors to prevent a mandate’s automatic triggering.
- Howard County is also advocating for masking, boosters, and testing.
- Montgomery County is recommending residents wear masks indoors and remain up-to-date on vaccinations.
- Prince George’s County has also issued a recommendation for residents to wear masks indoors and remain up-to-date with their vaccination schedules.
- All other Maryland counties remain committed to providing residents with free testing and vaccinations.
The state and its counties have an added tool to address increasing COVID-19 cases- the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved emergency authorization of COVID-19 vaccine boosters for children ages 5 to 11 years old. Eligible children may receive their booster doses five months after completing their primary series of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. According to FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D., “the omicron wave has seen more kids getting sick with the disease and being hospitalized, and children may also experience longer term effects, even following initially mild disease.”
Marylanders seeking free at-home testing kits can find them here. In addition, those seeking to schedule a COVID vaccination or booster can do so here.
