The number of Maryland residents hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide fell below 2,000 for the first time since late December, according to data from the Maryland Department of Health on Friday.  This and other improving COVID metrics were reported as the state surpasses 11 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered to date.

“We continue to see very encouraging trends in our key health metrics, including rapid declines in our hospitalizations, case rate, and positivity rate,” said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. “To continue our recovery, it is critical that all eligible Marylanders get their booster shot as soon as possible. No one should think of a booster as just a bonus or an extra dose—it is the best way to protect yourself from severe illness from this virus and its variants.”

State and local health officials are encouraging residents to keep up good habits such as masking, social distancing, avoiding large gatherings, and getting vaccinated and boosted.

Locally, the COVID case rate is roughly two and a half times the statewide average, but the rate continues to decline gradually.  As of Thursday, Allegany County’s case rate was at 132.27 per 100,000 people, compared to the state average of 53.5 per 100,000.  Allegany County’s percent of population fully vaccinated has yet to break 50%, while statewide nearly 73% of Marylanders are vaccinated.

The Allegany County Health Department continues its Wednesday vaccination clinics from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Allegany County Fairgrounds, 11400 Moss Avenue in Cumberland.  Walk-in services are offered for first and second doses of Moderna (age 18+) and first, second, and booster doses of Pfizer (age 12+) without an appointment.  Appointments are still required for the Moderna booster vaccine and can be scheduled using the links below:

·        February 2:  https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/1126699098

·        February 9:  https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/1012896169

·        February 16:  https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/6969120821

·        February 23:  https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/6969150521

For assistance registering for an appointment, county residents can call the COVID-19 call center at 240-650-3999. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are also widely available at local pharmacies, urgent care clinics, and some primary care providers. 

The health department continues to offer free drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland on Mondays from 2 to 7 p.m. and on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

ALLEGANY COUNTY COVID-19 CASE RATE AND POSITIVITY AS OF JANUARY 27:

·        New COVID Cases: 166 (cumulative total 15,357)

·        Additional Deaths: 2 (cumulative total 319)

·        Cases Per 100,000 People: 132.27 (Maryland: 53.75)

·        Positivity Rate: 20.86% (Maryland: 10.93%)

·        Percentage of Population Fully Vaccinated:  49.9% (Maryland:  72.5%)