Covid-19

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update May 26

May 26, 2020 by Spy Desk 1 Comment

Key points for today

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 47,687, an increase of 535 in the last 24 hours.

• Cases in Kent County increased by three to 158.

• Of the state’s 2,217 deaths, 30 were in the last 24 hours; another 116 deaths in Maryland are likely due to the novel coronavirus.

The Spy updates this chart between 2 and 3 p.m. Statewide data is updated about 10 a.m. each day; counties may update data throughout the day until 5 p.m. Hopkins updates its map data throughout the day.

Congregate living facilities data is updated weekly on Wednesdays.

If county and state data conflict, county data is reported.

* Maryland and Cecil County report the total released from isolation.

** For Kent County deaths, The Spy reports the higher of the total deaths reported on the state and county websites or the total deaths in facilities. For Queen Anne’s County deaths, The Spy reports the total deaths listed on the county’s website. State totals reflect the address listed on the death certificate, which is provided by the family or the funeral home, and may not reflect the county of residence at the time the patient contracted coronavirus.

Additional information

• There currently are 1,315 people hospitalized — 795 in acute care and 520 in intensive care. The number of hospitalized patients increased by 36 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 47,687 cases, 8,179 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment.

• Maryland says 3,334 patients have been released from isolation, including five in the last 24 hours.

• The state reports 206,800 negative test results, including 4,375 in the last 24 hours.

The graph below shows the statewide trends for total cases, total ever hospitalized, and total deaths.

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update May 25

May 25, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Key points for today

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 47,152, an increase of 839 in the last 24 hours.

• Cases in Kent County increased by three to 155.

• Of the state’s 2,187 deaths, 25 were in the last 24 hours; another 115 deaths in Maryland are likely due to the novel coronavirus.

The table below is scrollable and sortable.

Congregate living facilities data is updated weekly on Wednesdays.

If county and state data conflict, county data is reported.

* Maryland and Cecil County report the total released from isolation.

Additional information

• There currently are 1,279 people hospitalized — 762 in acute care and 517 in intensive care. The number of hospitalized patients dropped by 11 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 47,152 cases, 8,092 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment.

• Maryland says 3,329 patients have been released from isolation, including 10 in the last 24 hours.

• The state reports 202,425 negative test results, including 8,376 in the last 24 hours.

The graph below shows the statewide trends for total cases, total ever hospitalized, and total deaths.

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update May 24

May 24, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Key points for today

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 46,313, an increase of 818 in the last 24 hours.

• Cases in Kent County increased by four to 152.

• Of the state’s 2,162 deaths, 38 were in the last 24 hours; another 115 deaths in Maryland are likely due to the novel coronavirus.

The table below is scrollable and sortable.

Congregate living facilities data is updated weekly on Wednesdays.

If county and state data conflict, county data is reported.

* Maryland and Cecil County report the total released from isolation.

Additional information

• There currently are 1,290 people hospitalized — 787 in acute care and 503 in intensive care. The number of hospitalized patients dropped by 30 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 45,313 cases, 7,939 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment.

• Maryland says 3,319 patients have been released from isolation, including 36 in the last 24 hours.

• The state reports 194,049 negative test results, including 7,217 in the last 24 hours.

The graph below shows the statewide trends for cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update May 23

May 23, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Key points for today

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 45,495, an increase of 1,071 in the last 24 hours.

• Cases in Kent County increased by five to 146.

• Of the state’s 2,130 deaths, 38 were in the last 24 hours; another 113 deaths in Maryland are likely due to the novel coronavirus.

The table below is scrollable and sortable.

Congregate living facilities data is updated weekly on Wednesdays.

If county and state data conflict, county data is reported.

* Maryland and Cecil County report the total released from isolation.

Additional information

• There currently are 1,320 people hospitalized — 796 in acute care and 524 in intensive care. The number of hospitalized patients dropped by nine in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 45,495 cases, 7,825 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment.

• Maryland says 3,283 patients have been released from isolation, including 40 in the last 24 hours.

• The state reports 186,832 negative test results, including 3,354 in the last 24 hours.

The graph below shows the statewide trends for cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update May 22

May 22, 2020 by Spy Desk 2 Comments

Key points for today

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 44,424, an increase of 893 in the last 24 hours.

• Cases in Kent County increased by three to 146.

• Of the state’s 2,092 deaths, 47 were in the last 24 hours; another 115 deaths in Maryland are likely due to the novel coronavirus.

• There currently are 1,329 people hospitalized — 823 in acute care and 506 in intensive care. The number of hospitalized patients dropped by 45 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 44,424 cases, 7,634 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment.

• Maryland says 3,243 patients have been released from isolation, including 144 in the last 24 hours.

• The state reports 183,478 negative test results, including 6,776 in the last 24 hours.

The graph below shows the trends for cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Spy COVID-19 Daily Update May 21

May 21, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Key points for today

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 43,531, an increase of 1,208 in the last 24 hours.

• Kent County has 143 cases, a drop of two in the last 24 hours. Numbers listed daily by the state and county are preliminary and subject to change based on additional reporting.

• Of the state’s 2,045 deaths, 41 were in the last 24 hours; another 114 deaths in Maryland are likely due to the novel coronavirus.

The chart below is scrollable and sortable.

Sources: State and local health departments, Johns Hopkins University.

Congregate living facilities data is updated weekly on Wednesdays.

If county and state data conflict, county data is reported.

* Maryland and Cecil County report the total released from isolation.

Additional information

• There currently are 1,374 people hospitalized — 848 in acute care and 526 in intensive care. The number of hospitalized patients dropped by 36 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 43,531 cases, 7,485 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment.

• Maryland says 3,099 patients have been released from isolation, including 106 in the last 24 hours.

• The state reports 176,702 negative test results, including 3,695 in the last 24 hours.

The graphs below are from coronavirus.maryland.gov and show the trends for cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Reopening Off to Smooth Start

May 21, 2020 by John Griep Leave a Comment

Kent County’s initial reopening has gone smoothly, officials said this week.

“We haven’t had any significant problems with that at least from the health department end of things,” William Webb, Kent County’s health officer, said Thursday.

“We’re getting a lot of calls about … best practices and what the guidance is for businesses that are looking to reopen. There’s certainly some confusion, especially with retail … because some retail establishments do not know what their fire code maximum is.”

A large number of people were in Rock Hall this past weekend, which is usually the date of a spring bike fest, but there were no problems, he said.

“They had a number of people show up…. Everybody was civil, (but many visitors) didn’t know that the restaurants weren’t open in Maryland.”

Webb said bars and restaurants are eager to start providing outdoor dining service, but the governor has not approved that yet.

“Everybody is anxious to get restarted,” he said.

During Monday’s Chestertown council meeting, Kay Macintosh, the town’s economic development and marketing coordinator, said downtown had been fairly busy over the weekend but there had been no complaints about people violating social distancing and mask requirements.

Macintosh and council members discussed options for allowing restaurants and bars to provide additional outdoor dining spaces once that is allowed by the governor.

Options could include allowing restaurants to place tables in front of neighboring businesses, with permission from those businesses; closing off parking spaces to create additional dining areas set off by wood decking and planters; and providing tables and chairs in public spaces for those getting takeout.

“To help restaurants survive, they will have to have enough tables to make this viable for them,” Macintosh said.

Town Manager Bill Ingersoll said the town had a pretty good framework with its al fresco dining ordinance.

Worship services

The health department also has been working with the county’s faith-based communities, which is an area of particular concern to Webb due to “the high number of high-risk people who go to church services.”

“They have worked really, really hard to support the community and do the right thing and as a health department we want to help them do that,” he said.

Kent’s numbers

The county now has 143 COVID-19 cases and at least 25 deaths. The vast majority of the cases and nearly all of the deaths are related to three outbreaks in the county — two in nursing homes and one among farm laborers. Those outbreaks account for about 88% of the county’s cases.

“We have three fairly substantial nursing homes in the county…. Unfortunately that’s the population that is hardest hit by the virus and even though they have tried very, very hard to keep it out … once it gets in with the residents and the staff it spreads like wildfire,” Webb said.

Although the county’s high numbers are driven by outbreaks, Webb stressed that the county does have cases of community spread and all residents should take precautions.

“I want to encourage all of our citizens to practice social distancing, masking and hand washing,” he said. “Take personal responsibility for helping prevent the spread of this because as we reopen … we know that as things open back up … our case counts are going to go up. Take personal responsibility, stay at home as much as possible and do the social distancing, the hand-washing all of the usual stuff and that’s what’s really going to help us get past this crisis.

“We stayed at home, we have given our health-care community the opportunity to prepare for the increased demand surge, and now it’s time to get back to business and hope that the preparations that we have done are going to be sufficient for whatever may come as a result of this.”

The New Crisis for COVID-19 – Mental Health and Substance Use Reoccurrence

May 21, 2020 by For All Seasons, Inc. Leave a Comment

While we might be planning to resume some aspects of our lives this coming week as the Governor’s stay-at-home order is lifted, there is an insidious crisis brewing in our communities. The isolation created by COVID-19 has created the perfect storm in mental health – growing desperation has increased suicide rates and the recurrence of substance use disorders in our communities. While the reasons are complex, each of us can play a part in the solutions.

For the last five years, For All Seasons counselors have been seeing clients at the Tilghman United Methodist Church through a program called “Healthy Tilghman.” The program provides healthy mind, body, and spirit outreach in the Tilghman community focusing on a peer support network in the community, as well as counseling and community education. Michael Flaherty, Ph.D., a psychologist who practices in Pennsylvania and has national expertise in addiction and mental health issues, helped found “Healthy Tilghman” and knows his community and the difficulties it is facing. He comments, “Under the stress of confinement, the world becomes smaller and small things become big things, and sensitivity becomes higher. This can mean that small environments can make people act out in greater ways.”

Flaherty adds, “Nationally, there has been a 7 to 10 percent increase in recurrences of substance use disorders since COVID-19. While there have not been any overdose deaths yet in Talbot County, there have been overdoses. Statistics show that 20 percent of overdose deaths are suicide-related. With fragile people, it is going to happen. We need a higher degree of patience and understanding during this time.”

To date, Healthy Tilghman has had great success reaching the Bay Hundred community to provide support for mental health issues and addiction. Community volunteers have been the eyes and ears of the community, connecting people to necessary resources, and people are using telehealth services more and more to receive therapy and support.

“Although we are making strides, people are still experiencing anxiety and depression during this crisis and using substances for coping. Some of the reoccurrences of the illness are because of confinement and not having support. People are finding it hard to cope,” Flaherty comments, adding, “A lot of people didn’t realize they had such a dependency on substances and are finding that their dependency is greater during this time.”

Flaherty says that some signs and symptoms of someone contemplating suicide, may include making plans to commit suicide by giving things away or finalizing a will; becoming increasingly withdrawn; experiencing increasing despair and a sense of hopelessness; sleep disorders and mood swings; and a recurrence of substance abuse with drinking and drugging. Family members are often the first-line responders in these situations. Connecting people to family peer support specialists or peer support specialists can make the real difference in someone getting the help they need.

Valerie Albee, founder of Mariah’s Mission, and a family peer support specialist in Easton has been on the frontline helping families cope with the challenges of substance use disorder both virtually and in-person while social distancing. She comments, “These are trying times for many. I offer as much hope as I can for people, but it is a complicated issue and there is difficulty right now getting people timely treatment.”

She explains that while there is now a proliferation of online 12-Step meetings through virtual technology, the isolation created by COVID-19 has affected families with addictions and mental health challenges. Stress, fear, joblessness, and other factors have contributed to increases in relapses both fatal and non-fatal. She states, “These individuals and their families are not strong enough to deal with this crisis by themselves, and they have immediate needs. Managing household resources and maintaining the quality of life for a loved one suffering from a substance use or mental health disorder is very challenging.”

Both Flaherty and Albee agree that individual and Family Peer Support Specialists can be vital in assisting people in crisis. Family Support Specialists like Albee have had training and lived through personal experience dealing with a loved one in crisis. Peer Support Specialists have personally lived with substance use challenges and found recovery.

Flaherty says that the question to pose to the person in crisis is, “What will it take to get you to connect to services?” He states that people should keep encouraging a family member/friend to make the call to receive help, and if the person is unable to care for themselves, they should call one of the crisis hotlines on behalf of the person. Their personal experience, along with extensive training can provide vital help.

Beth Anne Langrell, CEO of For All Seasons Behavioral Health and Rape Crisis Center, adds, “We want family members and friends to know that they don’t have to solve the problem, but they can help connect people to community resources. For All Seasons is expanding its messaging around suicide during Mental Health Awareness Month. By following the steps: Ask how a friend is doing, Listen to what they have to say, and Share that you care about them and you know where to find help, family members and friends can be the crucial first step to getting help.”

She adds, “The mental health community has strengthened the delivery of services and is improving access to information, which is having a positive impact through this crisis. The list we have compiled of resources can be a lifesaver when faced with any of these crises.”

For All Seasons provides therapy, advocacy, psychiatry, and education to Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne, and Talbot counties. The agency accepts all private insurances, medical assistance, and supports English and Spanish speaking individuals regardless of one’s ability to pay. For All Seasons 24-Hour, confidential crisis hotlines are 410.820.5600 for English Hotline and 410.829.6143 for Spanish Hotline. Text available in English or Spanish at 410.829.6143.

List of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Resources

Mid Shore Behavioral Health

midshorebehavioralhealth.org

Eastern Shore Crisis Response Services

1-888-407-8018

Life Crisis Hotline 410-749-4357

Corsica River Mental Health Services

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

410-745-8028 or 410-758-2211

crmhsinc.com/index.html

Eastern Shore Psychological Services

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

410-822-5007

espsmd.com

Shore Behavioral Health at UMM Shore Regional Health

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

410-822-1000 x5452

umshoreregional.org/programs/behavioral/services/shore-behavioral-health-outpatient-services

Maryland Coalition of Families

mdcoalition.org

Mid Shore Intergroup (For Zoom meetings)

www.midshoreintergroup.org/meetings

East of the Bay NA

eastofthebayna.org

Al-Anon Eastern Shore

al-anon.org.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service

English / Spanish

Chesapeake Treatment Services

410.822.7150

www.chesapeaketreatmentservices.com

National Institute on Drug Abuse

www.drugabuse.gov/patients-families

Mid Shore Opioid Misuse Prevention Program (OMPP)

www.iwishiknewmidshore.org

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Chat online 24/7

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Maryland Crisis Hotline (211)

Dial 2-1-1, option 1

Text to 898211

Chat online 24/7

www.211md.org

The Trevor Project (LGBTQ crisis services)

1-866-488-7386

Text START to 678678

Chat online 24/7

www.thetrevorproject.org

National Crisis Textline

Text HOME to 741741

www.crisistextline.org

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Maryland Chapter

https://afsp.org/chapter/maryland

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

www.sprc.org

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Spy COVID-19 Daily Update May 20

May 20, 2020 by Spy Desk 1 Comment

Key points for today

• The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland is now at 42,323, an increase of 777 in the last 24 hours.

• Kent County added one case in that period and now has 145 confirmed cases.

• There have been 99 cases and 25 deaths stemming from COVID-19 outbreaks in congregate living facilities in Kent County. Such facilities include nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and detention centers.

• Cases within facilities account for about 68% of Kent County’s total cases. Most of the county’s deaths also stem from outbreaks in facilities.

• As a result of those numbers, Kent County has the highest per capita rate of COVID-19 deaths and one of the highest rates of infection among Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions. Kent County’s numbers equate to a rate of 748 cases and about 129 deaths per 100,000 population (or 7.48 cases and 1.29 deaths per 1,000 population).

• Of the state’s 2,004 deaths, 41 were in the last 24 hours; another 119 deaths in Maryland are likely due to the novel coronavirus.

• Nearly 20% of the state’s total cases and 57% of the deaths are attributed to outbreaks in congregate living facilities, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and detention centers.

• There have been 8,321 cases (5,847 residents and 2,474 staff members) and 1,135 deaths (1,123 residents and 12 staffers) in such facilities.

• Among Mid-Shore facilities, there have been 99 cases and 25 deaths in Kent County, seven cases in Queen Anne’s, two cases in Dorchester, and one case each in Talbot and Caroline.

The chart below is scrollable and sortable.

COVID-19 Statistics 5.20.2020

	Confirmed Cases	Daily Change	Total Recovered*	Cases within facilities	Percent cases within facilities	Cases per 100k Pop.	Total Deaths**	Deaths within facilities	Percent deaths within facilities	Deaths per 100k Pop.
Kent	145	1	N/A	99	68.28%	748.08	25	25	100.00%	128.98
QA	138	6	N/A	7	5.07%	273.91	2	0	0.00%	3.97
Talbot	72	2	57	1	1.39%	193.65	1	0	0.00%	2.69
Caroline	210	2	117	1	0.48%	630.55	0	0	0.00%	0.00
Dorchester	122	0	99	2	1.64%	382.10	2	0		6.26
Mid-Shore	687	11	N/A	110	16.01%	399.01	30	25	83.33%	17.42
Cecil	340	6	186	69	20.29%	330.56	22	1	4.55%	21.39
Md.	42,323	777	2,993	8,321	19.66%	700.05	2,004	1,135	56.64%	33.15
Del.	8,194	157	3,965			841.48	310			31.84
USA	1,537,584	-	289,392			468.43	92,149			28.07
World	4,946,175	-	1,717,407			63.60	324,776			4.18

Sources: State and local health departments, Johns Hopkins University.

Congregate living facilities data is updated weekly on Wednesdays.

If county and state data conflict, county data is reported.

* Maryland and Cecil County report the total released from isolation.

** See related story here.

Additional information

• There currently are 1,410 people hospitalized — 871 in acute care and 539 in intensive care. The number of hospitalized patients dropped by 11 in the last 24 hours.

• Of the state’s 42,323 cases, 7,393 patients have ever been hospitalized for treatment.

• Maryland says 2,993 patients have been released from isolation, including 125 in the last 24 hours.

• The state reports 173,007 negative test results, including 5,895 in the last 24 hours.

The graphs below are from coronavirus.maryland.gov and show the trends for cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

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COVID-19 Statistics 5.20.2020