January 27th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

The Allegany County Health Department reported 24 new COVID cases in Allegany County and one additional death, bringing the county’s cumulative case count to 6,119 with 177 fatalities.  The current case rate in Allegany County is 27.79 cases per 100,000 population, while Maryland’s state average is currently 33.57 cases per 100,000 population.  Allegany’s positivity rate is at 7.12%, while the statewide average is 6.38%. 

 

On Tuesday, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said, “The COVID-19 vaccination campaign is the largest peace time undertaking in history. And as with any massive new effort, the nation is facing some serious obstacles. The primary one currently facing every state in America is the extremely limited supply of vaccines that are being produced and allocated by the CDC and the federal government. Right now, Maryland is only allocated roughly 10,000 doses per day… so it goes without saying it is simply an impossibility for all of [those currently eligible] to immediately receive it.”

 

The Governor went on to say that “the plain truth is that for at least the near future, we fully expect the demand for vaccines will continue to far exceed the supply that will be available to us.”

 

The situation in Allegany County reflects that of the rest of the state of Maryland, local health officials stated. 

 

“Just because we are allowed to move forward in the proposed vaccination phases does not mean that we are able to at this time,” said Allegany County Health Department Public Information Coordinator Brenda Caldwell.  “We, like other jurisdictions, continue to face very limited vaccine supplies with very high demand.  We are hopeful that additional vaccine manufacturers will be able to achieve emergency use authorization to bridge the gap and allow more people to be vaccinated in a shorter timeframe.”