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February 4, 2023

The Chestertown Spy

An Educational News Source for Chestertown Maryland

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News COVID-19

COVID-19 Dashboard is Mostly Back Online; Maryland Cases at “Red Alert” Levels

December 21, 2021 by Maryland Matters

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After being offline for more than two weeks due to a cyberattack, portions of the Maryland Department of Health’s COVID-19 dashboard returned to operation on Monday, and a top official said the agency has developed “workarounds” for most of the functions that were affected by the outage.

The updated numbers reflect a significant spike in cases and test positivity — a surge that a physician who serves in the state legislature said pointed to a dangerous time for the state’s hospitals in the weeks to come.

The department brought its systems back online just hours after Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) announced that he tested positive for coronavirus.

The Dec. 4 attack left the agency unable to update some portions of the online portal it established in the early days of the pandemic. The department was able to report hospitalizations and vaccinations throughout the crisis, but not other data.

The lack of case count numbers and positivity rates left local health officials in the dark as to the full impact of the omicron variant and holiday travel. They knew from other metrics — hospitalizations, mostly — that the situation appears to be growing worse by the day.

From Dec. 1 through Dec. 20, Maryland reported 24,905 new cases, an average of 1,779 per day, though data for six dates are missing.

Over a comparable period in early November — before Thanksgiving get-togethers and holiday shopping — Maryland saw an average of just under 700 new cases per day.

The state’s rolling 7-day test positivity rate is now 10.27%, a dramatic increase from the 4.36% the state reported the day after Thanksgiving. For most of October and November, the state’s positivity rate was between 3% and 4%.

“Unless we take action soon, our hospitals are going to be very quickly overwhelmed,” said Sen. Clarence K. Lam (D-Howard), a physician in the preventive medicine program at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “We are seeing rising rates even among those that are vaccinated — and this could tax an already-strained health care workforce that is barely holding it together right now.”

“This should be red-alert across the entire state,” he added.

The state is still unable to report updates on the number of people who have died due to COVID-19. Maryland’s official count has been frozen at 11,022 since Dec. 4.

Hogan has said little about the attack, though he has made cybersecurity a top issue as he broadens his profile beyond Maryland.

During a briefing for reporters, Chip Stewart, Maryland’s chief information security officer, refused to disclose details about the intrusion into the MDH computer network, citing the ongoing “criminal” probe being conducted by state and federal investigators. He would not say whether it was launched from overseas or whether a ransom payment has been requested.

“There is no evidence, at this time, that the incident resulted in unauthorized access to — or acquisition of — any data,” he said.

W. Lance Schine, deputy secretary of the Department of Information Technology, said health department employees were given “loaner computers” shortly after the attack.

“We are making good progress on bringing systems back online as safely and quickly as possible,” he added.

As the absence of updated COVID metrics stretched into its second week, state lawmakers voiced frustration with the governor’s low profile. Maryland Matters reported last week that key committee chairs were debating whether to hold a public hearing with top state health officials in December or wait until the General Assembly reconvenes in January.

The briefing and the restoration of data came just hours after Hogan announced on Twitter that he had tested positive.

“COVID numbers, we felt, were important for the public and we worked hard to bring up the numbers that we could,” said Schine. “Today was the soonest we felt those numbers were accurate enough to share with the public.”

Hogan, a cancer survivor, was been vaccinated twice and recently received a booster.

His spokesman, Michael Ricci, said Hogan is “feeling fine.” He is working at Government House, the governor’s residence, and holding meetings online.

Members of his executive protection detail have tested negative, Ricci said, as have family and other staff. “He’ll quarantine in line with recommendations from health officials.”

Hogan, who is tested regularly, tested negative on Thursday, Ricci said.

In an interview, Lam urged the governor to reinstate a mask mandate to slow the spread of the virus during the holidays and to keep hospitals from being overwhelmed. But he expressed doubt that Hogan would go down that road.

“There are breakthrough cases all over the place,” Lam said. “We’re seeing rates that we haven’t seen since December of last year, and that was before the vaccine.”

Del. Kirill Reznik (D-Montgomery) praised Hogan for being candid about his positive test result — and stressed that even people who’ve been vaccinated can become infected. “We know that breakthrough cases happen.”

Reznik had sent a letter last week to Health Secretary Dennis R. Schrader seeking an update about the attack and indicating that health care providers had not been paid in connection to the breach.

Reznik said Monday that the updated metrics “confirm everything that we have feared — which is that things are moving in the wrong direction and quickly.”

Stewart said systems relating to Medicaid operations — including eligibility verification and provide payments — are back online, as are systems for issuing birth and death certificates.

By Bruce DePuyt

Filed Under: COVID-19 Tagged With: coronavirus, Covid-19, cyberattack, dashboard, health department, Maryland

High COVID-19 Community Transmission Levels Across Region; Wear Masks in Public Indoor Settings, CDC Says

December 15, 2021 by Spy Desk

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Community transmission levels for COVID-19 are substantial in Talbot County and high across the rest of the Mid-Shore, according to the CDC.

Everyone should wear masks in public indoor settings when transmission levels are at those levels, according to the federal agency’s COVID-19 County Check.

Security concern affects data updates

Some state and county COVID-19 statistics have not been updated for about 10 days as a result of “a network security incident involving the Maryland Department of Health,” according to the Dorchester County Health Department’s website. “There is no evidence of a data breach” and  “certain systems have been taken offline out of an abundance of caution.”

A note dated Dec. 15, 2021, on the Maryland Department of Health’s website says the agency “is experiencing a server outage. Hospitalizations data are current. Other surveillance data will be updated as soon as possible. Vaccine data is updated as of 12/15/2021.”

State officials will be questioned about the Dec. 4 attack by “(t)wo legislative committees that oversee the Maryland Department of Health,” Maryland Matters reported. “Although some systems have come back online, the agency has not posted COVID-19 case rates, testing or mortality data since Dec. 3.”

Vaccinations

• CDC 18+ population with at least one dose : 90.3%

• To pre-register for a vaccine appointment, visit www.marylandvax.org or covidvax.maryland.gov or call 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).

• State Vaccine Information Page: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine

• Vaccination Site Search: https://maryland.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/nearby/index.html?appid=0dbfb100676346ed9758be319ab3f40c

Hospitalizations

• The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Maryland dropped by 22 in the last 24 hours.

• There currently are 1,151 people hospitalized due to coronavirus. COVID-19 hospitalizations had dropped to a low of about 100 in early July.

Filed Under: COVID-19 Tagged With: coronavirus, Covid-19, hospitalizations, positivity rate, vaccination, vaccine

Spy COVID-19 Aug. 17 Update

August 17, 2021 by John Griep

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The Spy obtains information for the above chart between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Statewide data is updated about 10 a.m. each day. Johns Hopkins updates its data throughout the day.

Key points for today

• The level of community transmission of COVID-19 is high across most of the Mid-Shore and substantial for Maryland as a whole. Health officials urge everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated, to wear masks while indoors.

• Kent County’s community transmission level is HIGH, according to the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker.

• Kent County had 5 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. The county’s 7-day average positivity rate is 8.08% and its case rate is 20.60 cases per 100,000 population.

• Maryland’s average positivity rate has been on an upward trend since July 13 and has been above 4% for 10 days.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 481,569, an increase of 851 in the last 24 hours.

• In the last 24 hours, three people died as a result of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 9,678.

• The number of patients currently hospitalized is 611, up 35 from yesterday. That number was last above 600 on May 17 and had been on a downward trend from April 20 through July 2, when only 97 patients were hospitalized. The current upward trend began July 3.

Filed Under: COVID-19 Tagged With: coronavirus, Covid-19, hospitalizations, positivity rate, vaccination, vaccine

COVID-19 Community Transmission Level is High in U.S., Substantial in Md.

August 7, 2021 by John Griep

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Health officials are urging vaccinations and renewed mask use as COVID-19 trends increase locally, in Maryland, and across the nation, largely due to the delta variant.

The level of community transmission of COVID-19 across the United States is high, with more than two-thirds of the states in that category, according to the CDC. Maryland currently is among 16 states in which the community transmission level is deemed substantial, one step lower than high.

“The level of community transmission is based on the number of cases in the last 7 days per 100,000 population and the number of tests in the last 7 days that have a positive result,” the CDC says.

*New cases in last 24 hours.

The Spy obtains information for the above chart between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Statewide data is updated about 10 a.m. each day. Johns Hopkins updates its data throughout the day.

Key points for today

• The community transmission level in Kent County is substantial.

• Since Aug. 4, Kent County has reported seven new COVID-19 cases. The county’s 7-day average positivity rate is 5.27%.

• Maryland’s average positivity rate has been on an upward trend since July 13 and has been above 3% for seven days.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 473,116, an increase of 892 in the last 24 hours.

• In the last 24 hours, three people died as a result of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 9,629.

• The number of patients currently hospitalized is 365, up 20 from yesterday.

Filed Under: COVID-19 Tagged With: coronavirus, Covid-19, hospitalizations, positivity rate, vaccination, vaccine

Spy COVID-19 Aug. 4 Update

August 4, 2021 by John Griep

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*New cases in last 24 hours.

The Spy obtains information for the above chart between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Statewide data is updated about 10 a.m. each day. Johns Hopkins updates its data throughout the day.

Key points for today

• Since July 30, Kent County has reported 7 new COVID-19 cases. The county’s 7-day average positivity rate is 4.65%.

• Maryland’s average positivity rate has been on an upward trend since July 13 and has been above 3% for four days.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 470,605, an increase of 695 in the last 24 hours.

• In the last 24 hours, five people died as a result of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 9,620.

• The number of patients currently hospitalized is 325, up 16 from yesterday. This is the second straight day the number of patients has been more than 300. There have been more than 200 hospitalized patients for the past eight days. There are 243 patients in acute care beds and 82 in intensive care.

Filed Under: COVID-19 Tagged With: coronavirus, Covid-19, hospitalizations, positivity rate, vaccination, vaccine

Spy COVID-19 July 30 Update

July 30, 2021 by John Griep

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*New cases in last 24 hours.

The Spy obtains information for the above chart between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Statewide data is updated about 10 a.m. each day. Johns Hopkins updates its data throughout the day.

Key points for today

• Since July 26, Kent County has reported 1 new COVID-19 case. The county’s 7-day average positivity rate is 2.45%.

• Maryland’s average positivity rate has been on an upward trend since July 13 and has been above 2% for six days.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 467,961, an increase of 526 in the last 24 hours.

• In the last 24 hours, no one died as a result of COVID-19, leaving the state’s total to 9,599.

• The number of patients currently hospitalized is 222, up 7 from yesterday. There have been more than 200 hospitalized patients for the past three days. There are 164 patients in acute care beds and 58 in intensive care.

Filed Under: COVID-19 Tagged With: coronavirus, Covid-19, hospitalizations, positivity rate, vaccination, vaccine

Spy COVID-19 July 26 Update

July 26, 2021 by John Griep

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*New cases in last 24 hours.

The Spy obtains information for the above chart between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Statewide data is updated about 10 a.m. each day. Johns Hopkins updates its data throughout the day.

Key points for today

• The state’s average positivity rate and number of patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 have been on an upward trend over the past three weeks.

• Maryland’s average positivity rate has been above 2% for two days.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 466,205, an increase of 256 in the last 24 hours.

• In the last 24 hours, one person died as a result of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 9,589.

• Hospitalizations are at 168, down 5 from yesterday. There are 131 patients in acute care beds and 37 in intensive care.

Filed Under: COVID-19 Tagged With: coronavirus, Covid-19, hospitalizations, positivity rate, vaccination, vaccine

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update June 30

June 30, 2021 by John Griep

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Editor’s Note: With COVID-19 statistics continuing to improve as more people are vaccinated, The Spy will discontinue its daily update as of today. If there is a significant change in the trends, we will resume the update.

The Spy obtains information for the above chart between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Statewide data is updated about 10 a.m. each day; counties may update data throughout the day until 5 p.m., although some counties do not update on weekends. Johns Hopkins updates its data throughout the day.

Key points for today

• Kent County’s COVID-19 cases increased by 3 to 1,358.

• The county’s 7-day average positivity rate is 2.59%.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 462,279, an increase of 62 in the last 24 hours.

• In the last 24 hours, 1 person died as a result of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 9,524.

• The state’s 7-day average positivity rate remains at 0.56% (+0.02 from yesterday).

Vaccinations

• CDC 18+ population with at least one dose : 74.5%

• The first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been given to 57.19% of Marylanders and 52.11% of Kent County residents; second dose rates are 51.60% and 47.95% respectively.

• To pre-register for a vaccine appointment, visit www.marylandvax.org or covidvax.maryland.gov or call 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).

• State Vaccine Information Page: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine

• Vaccination Site Search: https://maryland.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/nearby/index.html?appid=0dbfb100676346ed9758be319ab3f40c

Hospitalizations

• The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Maryland dropped by 8 in the last 24 hours.

• There currently are 107 people hospitalized — 78 in acute care and 29 in intensive care.

Filed Under: COVID-19 Tagged With: coronavirus, Covid-19, hospitalizations, positivity rate, vaccination, vaccine

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update June 29

June 29, 2021 by John Griep

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Editor’s Note: With COVID-19 statistics continuing to improve as more people are vaccinated, The Spy will discontinue its daily update at the end of this month. If there is a significant change in the trends, we will resume the update.

The Spy obtains information for the above chart between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Statewide data is updated about 10 a.m. each day; counties may update data throughout the day until 5 p.m., although some counties do not update on weekends. Johns Hopkins updates its data throughout the day.

Key points for today

• Kent County’s COVID-19 cases remain at 1,355.

• The county’s 7-day average positivity rate is 1.54%.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 462,217, an increase of 36 in the last 24 hours.

• In the last 24 hours, 1 person died as a result of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 9,523.

• The state’s 7-day average positivity rate remains at 0.54% (-0.03 from yesterday).

Vaccinations

• CDC 18+ population with at least one dose : 74.5%

• The first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been given to 57.19% of Marylanders and 52.11% of Kente County residents; second dose rates are 51.60% and 47.95% respectively.

• To pre-register for a vaccine appointment, visit www.marylandvax.org or covidvax.maryland.gov or call 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).

• State Vaccine Information Page: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine

• Vaccination Site Search: https://maryland.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/nearby/index.html?appid=0dbfb100676346ed9758be319ab3f40c

Hospitalizations

• The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients remains at 115 — 85 in acute care and 30 in intensive care.

Filed Under: COVID-19 Tagged With: coronavirus, Covid-19, hospitalizations, positivity rate, vaccination, vaccine

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update June 28

June 28, 2021 by John Griep

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Editor’s Note: With COVID-19 statistics continuing to improve as more people are vaccinated, The Spy will discontinue its daily update at the end of this month. If there is a significant change in the trends, we will resume the update.

The Spy obtains information for the above chart between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Statewide data is updated about 10 a.m. each day; counties may update data throughout the day until 5 p.m., although some counties do not update on weekends. Johns Hopkins updates its data throughout the day.

Key points for today

• Kent County’s COVID-19 cases increased by 1 to 1,355.

• The county’s 7-day average positivity rate is 1.54%.

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 462,181, an increase of 37 in the last 24 hours.

• In the last 24 hours, 2 people died as a result of COVID-19, leaving the state’s total at 9,522.

• The state’s 7-day average positivity rate remains at 0.57%.

Vaccinations

• CDC 18+ population with at least one dose : 74.4%

• The first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been given to 57.13% of Marylanders and 52.08% of Kent County residents; second dose rates are 51.51% and 47.92% respectively.

• To pre-register for a vaccine appointment, visit www.marylandvax.org or covidvax.maryland.gov or call 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).

• State Vaccine Information Page: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine

• Vaccination Site Search: https://maryland.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/nearby/index.html?appid=0dbfb100676346ed9758be319ab3f40c

Hospitalizations

• The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Maryland increased by 3 in the last 24 hours.

• There currently are 115 people hospitalized — 84 in acute care and 31 in intensive care.

Filed Under: COVID-19 Tagged With: coronavirus, Covid-19, hospitalizations, positivity rate, vaccination, vaccine

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