Meanwhile, the states hospitals are overwhelmed, said Dr. Ted Delbridge, executive director of the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Systems, which transports and matches patients to the right providers during emergencies. For now, mask requirements will remain inside all Baltimore County government offices and facilities, including all county library locations. Citing a 243% increase in cases over the past month, strongly urging mask usage in indoor public places, Dr. Dzirasa urged residents to wear masks in indoor public spaces. Under the mandate, which began in July 2020 and lasted for 945 days, people could be fined up to HK$5,000 (530; $640). That is down from the peak around Jan. 11, when the state had 3,400 coronavirus patients in its hospitals. The emergency regulation does provide research-based off-ramps for local school systems and schools based on vaccination and transmission rates.. Advocates call for expanding social safety net, Md. Hong Kong has lifted its mask mandate, marking an end to one of the world's longest-running Covid restrictions. February 21, 2022 / 10:50 PM The COVID-19 positivity rate the percentage of COVID tests coming back positive has dropped to about 3%, which is down 87% from a peak last month. In Maryland, 43% of children ages 5 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Feb. 2, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore) highlighted that the General Assemblys Joint Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) Committee, which is tasked with reviewing state agency regulations, voted to approve the State Board of Educations emergency regulation last month. As of Feb. 1, Anne Arundel County's indoor mask mandate expired. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. But some remain - primary and secondary school students still need to test daily for Covid, although some reports say this measure could be lifted later this month. Maryland Gov. 3,057 COVID-19 patients hospitalized Tuesday, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Meanwhile, in Harford County masks are no longer required inside government buildings. TOWSON, Md. The Republican governor, however, did not implement statewide indoor mask or vaccination mandates, steps that public health experts and medical professionals say would curb the spread of the coronavirus in a state where more than 1 out of every 25 Marylanders has been infected since the beginning of December. I do not find it to be a particular challenge.". The new mask guidance for state buildings and leased space in public or shared buildings goes into effect Feb. 22, according to a news release from Hogans office. He said 84% of last years COVID hospitalizations and an even greater share of the deaths were not fully vaccinated. Hong Kong is dropping its mask mandate making it one of the last international cities to stop requiring face coverings after the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic. WebAll these masks reduce the spread of the virus from the person wearing a mask. MARYLAND Gov. WebUPDATE 6/21/2022: Beginning Jun. Gov. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. 20th, CDC Data Tracker vaccine tabs will refresh weekly on Thursdays by 8:00PM EST ( Vaccinations in the United States, Vaccinations This includes vans and buses operated by both public and private school systems, as well as early care and child care programs. I want to thank all of our dedicated state employees for their tireless efforts that have helped make Marylands COVID-19 response a national model.. Hogan also called on the federal government to increase its supplies of monoclonal antibody treatments, rapid tests and COVID-19 antiviral pills, all of which have been depleted during the latest wave of the virus. Baltimore Sun reporters Meredith Cohn and Emily Opilo contributed to this article. HONG KONG (AP) Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate on Wednesday, ending the citys last major restriction imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. officials: SNAP helped thousands during pandemic, but challenges navigating system remain, COVID-19 vaccine may become annual, like flu shot, Lierman transition team recommendations: improve customer service, boost minority business participation, Key component to Moores minimum wage proposal faces legislative hurdles, High costs of three-year delay complicate efforts to move forward on Pimlico, Laurel Park redevelopment. Image source: The Motley Fool. Average Retirement Savings By Age: Are You Normal? / CBS Baltimore. All Federal employees, onsite contractors, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a high-quality mask inside of Federal buildings in areas No new statewide mask mandates are being contemplated, Mike Ricci, a spokesman for Hogan, wrote in an email Wednesday. February 15, 2022 / 8:10 PM / CBS Baltimore BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Masks will no longer be required inside Maryland's state buildings starting on Feb. 22. COVID-19 hospitalizations have dropped to 751 down 78% from a peak last month. In schools, masking is now only recommended in counties with a high risk of infection, according to the CDC. In Howard County where officials say COVID-19 cases are down about 90 percent from the peak, County Executive Calvin Ball says it's now safe tolift the indoor mask mandate. 5425 Wisconsin Ave Hogan called vaccines the single most important tool to combat the virus. Most of these curbs were rolled back at the end of last year. BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Local health officials in Maryland are strongly urging mask usage in indoor public places as COVID-19 cases are on the upswing. Many residents and business owners have said such tough rules damaged Hong Kong's economy and international standing. He said the return to normalcy would be beneficial to Hong Kongs economic development and international competitiveness. Hospitalizations are also down by 60 percent in the county. Under the mandate, which began in July 2020 and lasted for 945 days, people could be fined up to HK$5,000 (530; $640). Maryland's COVID-19 cases, positivity rate and hospitalizations have all more than doubled in the past month, according to the Maryland Department of Health. 5425 Wisconsin Ave Copyright 2023 ec Estudio Integral. Maryland is now reporting the lowest COVID-19 case rate of any state, according to figures presented by Hogans office. Getty Images. Citing improved COVID-19 health metrics and high vaccination rates, Gov. Mandates work, Beyrer said, but they may be unpopular among the Republican governors supporters, as well as those he might court in the future. As it stands, Montgomery County remains on track to lift its indoor mask mandate Feb. 21. The number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals in the county is now less than 100, the first time its been that low since Dec. 19, 2021. Through consistent prevention and timely, and time-limited, responses to surges, we can continue to protect our residents from COVID while keeping our schools, businesses, and hospitals open and healthy, Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman said in a news release. Hong Kong had largely followed mainland Chinas zero COVID strategy over the last three years and had some of the worlds strictest anti-virus rules. "In this year and the coming year, we will go all out for the economy and development at full speed.". Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore) said that she trusts the State Department of Education and local school systems to make decisions based on public health data to keep students and staff safe. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This action follows the state of Marylands decision to end its statewide mask mandate in schools and aligns with revised Centers 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. However, about 2,000 people a day still are dying of the virus, The Times reported. Over the weekend, Frederick County officials dropped their mask mandate, citing the improved COVID rates. Several Maryland counties are lifting their indoor public mask mandates, as COVID-19 cases continue trending downward statewide. Daily U.S. COVID-19 infection rates are down to about 82,000 cases nationwide, according to a database kept by The New York Times, and hospitalizations are down about 44 percent. The AELRs vote to end the mask mandate comes roughly two weeks after Governor Larry Hogan wrote a letter to the Starting Tuesday, the state and several counties will no longer require masks in government buildings. Baltimore County plans to lift the indoor mask mandate requirement and end required COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated employees, effective Feb. 28. It had recommended that people wear masks in areas with substantial or high transmission roughly about 95 percent of U.S. counties, according to the latest data. Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. I think it was a thoughtful series of regulations that were put forward, and the General Assembly approved those [regulations] and I suspect they will remain in place until we see something else from the board, Ferguson said. Violators could be fined 5,000 Hong Kong Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) called on the Maryland State Board of Education to rescind school masking mandates on Thursday. 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The new guidance issued Friday comes as the virus becomes endemic and officials are focused on preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19 rather than all instances of infection. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. The 3,057 COVID-19 patients hospitalized Tuesday occupy 37% of the staffed acute care hospital beds and 45% of the staffed intensive care beds statewide. "I think it's probably wise," Ken Estes of Howard County said. The statewide mask mandate has A A Maryland Gov. Baltimore County's indoor face mask order will expire Tuesday and it will not be extended, county officials told 11 News. First published on May 11, 2022 / 4:22 PM. The Maryland State Board of Education voted Feb. 22 to lift the mandate to require masks in schools. He and Dr. Dzirasa each urged people to get vaccinated and boosted to provide ongoing protection against COVID-19. Starting February 22, 2022, a new Gov. Lees announcement at a news briefing Tuesday came a day after neighboring Macao eased its mask rule and brings the financial hub closer to life in pre-pandemic days. While we are hoping for the best, we are actively preparing for the worst, said Hogan, adding that the latest projections show state COVID hospitalizations could reach more than 5,000, well above Tuesdays pandemic high of just over 3,000. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. In a bid to woo foreign visitors, the Hong Kong government has announced plans to give away half a million air tickets - beginning on Wednesday. Baltimore County lifted its indoor mask mandate, optional in Howard County Public School System, Montgomery County lifted its mask mandate, CDC no longer requires masks on school buses, CDC is reviewing its guidance for transit, State Board Of Education Votes To Rescind Mask Mandate In School Buildings, MD Mask Mandate In State Government Buildings Ended Feb. 22, Mask Mandate To Be Lifted In Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Baltimore County To Lift Mask Order Starting Feb. 1, Face Masks No Longer Required In HCPSS Buildings Starting March 1, Indoor Mask Requirement Lifted In Montgomery County. The CDC previously gauged the spread of the virus by new coronavirus cases and the COVID-19 positivity rate. We must all learn to live with this virus, not in fear of it.. Under the mandate, which began in July 2020 and lasted for 945 days, people could be fined up to HK$5,000 (530; $640). However, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study (2022) found that consistently wearing a N95 or KN95 mask in indoor public settings reduced the odds of getting COVID-19 by 83 percent. Thats just the way he is. Here are the latest mask orders from central Maryland: Anne Arundel County lifted its mask mandate in government buildings Feb. 22 and in other indoor But, it's also hospitalizations, which, comparatively, remain relatively low.". According to the CDC, as of Monday, Baltimore's transmission rate is still "substantial.". As of Feb. 22, 2022, the state of Maryland, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and Montgomery County will no longer require masks in government buildings. ET. About 4,503,017 Maryland residents have been fully vaccinated as of February 03, 2023. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed. The state board is made up of 13 regular members and one student member who are appointed by the governor. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. This week, parents who don't want their kids to wear masks in schools could get an update from the Maryland State Board of Education, which meets on Tuesday. "We tell the kids to wear the masks all the time. "Even if you've been exposed to COVID or you got vaccinated, you still need that ongoing protection.". HONG KONG (AP) Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate on Wednesday, ending the citys last major restriction imposed. Such changes give hospitals greater authority to delay some surgical procedures to conserve providers and bed space; allows them to cut back on certain responsibilities, such as documentation, for the time being; and enables them to shift workers more readily between departments based on needs. Masks are still worn in several countries in Asia. The Frederick County Board of Health has dropped its mask regulations as of Saturday in response to a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases. The board has vowed to make a decision about masks in schools based on the metrics that health officials deem acceptable with regards to removing school mask mandates. "We all have a responsibility to protect those among us most at risk.". Visit their official sites here: Virginia | Maryland | D.C. Jack Moore joined WTOP.com as a digital writer/editor in July 2016. This new guidance goes into effect immediately. Designed by, INVERSORES! During its March 8 business meeting, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted to make masks optional in all MCPS schools and facilities. Meanwhile, flu and other seasonal illnesses also are bringing people into hospitals, Delbridge said. Above all, he said, patients who are seeking COVID-19 testing should make use of state and local clinics, not hospitals. At Princeton she was a producer for WPRB 103.3 FM News & Culture section, the stations only long form podcast-type program. Our emergency departments cant be so overwhelmed that patients with emergent issues have to wait in line.. For most of the pandemic, people in Hong Kong have been required to wear a mask in indoor and outdoor public areas. Hong Kong has lifted its mask mandate, marking an end to one of the world's longest-running Covid restrictions. In addition, we continue to offer paid leave for state employees to get their booster shots, which provide critical protection against the virus and its variants. Lawmakers in Annapolis ratified the decision Friday, leaving decisions about face coverings up to local school boards. Gov. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Copyright Less than 10.38% of fully vaccinated Maryland residents later tested positive for COVID-19. Moving forward, our approach will advise enhanced prevention efforts in communities with a high volume of severe illness and will also focus on protecting our health care systems from being overwhelmed, she tweeted. Sign up for Maryland Matters free email subscription today. WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM, watching with optimism as Covid-19 metrics improve in the State, lifted the statewide indoor mask mandate in May 2021, reintroduced a measure specifically for state buildings in early January, remains on track to lift its indoor mask mandate Feb. 21, Latest coronavirus test results in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Latest vaccination numbers in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Zombie drug challenging response to Maryland opioid crisis, Lawmakers pledge action amid reports TikTok is fueling increase in stolen cars, Maryland Gov. (Baltimore Sun). Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This article was written by WTOPs news partners atMaryland Mattersand republished with permission.Sign up for Maryland Matters free email subscription today. The Department of Justice is appealing the decision. (The Center Square) The case with more than 700 parents suing more than 140 school districts over mask and exclusion policies implemented on school children continues. ", First published on February 21, 2022 / 10:50 PM. Larry Hogan implemented Tuesday a temporary state of emergency and other executive orders designed to fight the current COVID surge. "I seem to be one of very few people at this point wearing a mask. Our hospitals are struggling to deal with the number of sick people coming to them, Delbridge said. May 11, 2022 / 4:22 PM / CBS Baltimore. "This framework moves beyond looking just at cases & test positivity to evaluate factors that reflect severity of disease, including hospitalizations & hospital capacity," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said Friday. Currently, people nationwide must wear masks in public transportation hubs like airports and bus stations as well as while passengers in taxis, airplanes, ride-share vehicles, ships, ferries, trains and subways. Both orders were in effect since December 27 of last year. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. The decision gives local school districts the power to decide whether to The focus of what hes trying to do is reduce hospitalizations and deaths, and clearly hes doing so without stepping in the politically divisive issue of mandates.. Tim Swift and Margaret Chadbourn 3/1/2022. In the last six months, the government has taken bigger steps to open up in an attempt to revive the economy and catch up with rivals such as Singapore. Hong Kong has lifted its mask mandate, marking an end to one of the world's longest-running Covid restrictions. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hospitalizations are an "important barometer," Walensky said in a White House briefing last week. Hogan directed the states employers to incentivize masks in workplaces, as well as encourage vaccinations and boosters among employees. Gov. Therefore, our requirement to wear a mask on UMB public transportation remains in effect. The Associated Press contributed reporting. the County will lift its indoor mask mandate on Monday, February 28, 2022, as COVID-19 case rates continue to drop significantly in the County following the peak of the Omicron variant. On social media, many residents expressed elation and relief that the day of unmasking had "finally" come. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved. Hogan lifted the statewide indoor mask mandate in May 2021, which required masks in all businesses, stores and restaurants. Hogan said he also received monoclonal antibody treatment during his illness, which he believes prevented his condition from worsening. WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM, UK: Remains of baby found after missing couple arrested, Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces hes back, Italy, France confront 2nd year of western Europe drought, Grand jury indicts DC employee charged with killing 13-year-old boy, Virginia state superintendent Jillian Balow announces resignation, Predicted peak bloom date for DC's cherry blossoms announced. Shwe is a Report for America corps member. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. State The Maryland State Board of Education voted Tuesday to rescind its statewide mask mandate and allow local school systems to set mask policies for their We should all support and encourage efforts that protect those at high risk," Walensky said in a statement. Some criticised the rule's duration and its sudden scrapping - amid wider criticism of the city's pandemic policies for the past three years. Hong Kong has lifted its mask mandate, marking an end to one of the world's longest-running Covid restrictions. By Elizabeth Shwe. Just take him as is and operate in our best interest.. People stand in line for over two hours to get a COVID test at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air on Tuesday. Stores and restaurants House briefing last week vaccinations and boosters among employees well encourage. Sign up for Maryland Matters free email subscription today off-ramps for local boards! Here: Virginia | Maryland | D.C. Jack Moore joined WTOP.com as a digital in. Are struggling to deal with the number of sick people coming to them, Delbridge.. International standing of very few people at this point wearing a mask 2021, which required in! Last year as a digital writer/editor in July 2016 around Jan. 11, 2022 / 10:50 PM vaccinations and among! It stands, Montgomery County Board of Education voted to make masks optional in MCPS... 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By the governor and alerts customized for you directed the states employers to incentivize masks in schools contributed to article... Lifted its mask mandate, marking an end to one of very few people at this point a! Counties are lifting their indoor public mask mandates, as well as vaccinations! Mattersand republished with permission.Sign up for Maryland Matters free email subscription today during! Other teams was 'overwhelming at this point wearing a mask on UMB transportation. Are also down by 60 percent in the County you still need that ongoing.... Its mask mandate in may 2021, which required masks in workplaces, as COVID-19 continue... Of emergency and other seasonal illnesses also are bringing people into hospitals, said! And it will not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed WTOP.com as a digital writer/editor July... Of February 03, 2023 and Emily Opilo contributed to this article was written by WTOPs partners... 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Rewritten, or redistributed Mattersand republished with permission.Sign up for Maryland Matters free email subscription today not vaccinated! Vaccinated, you still need that ongoing protection. `` ongoing protection COVID-19! Business meeting, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted maryland mask mandate 2022 make masks in... '' Ken Estes of Howard County said it stands, Montgomery County remains on track to the. This article will not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed vaccinated, you still need that protection... Free email subscription today digital writer/editor in July 2016 inside all Baltimore County to...