December 30th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

Maryland on Wednesday surpassed 2,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations for the first time during the pandemic as hospitals transition to contingency protocols. In the past 24 hours, Maryland posted 10,873 new COVID-19 positive cases and hospitalizations set a new record at 2,046. The governor said most of the hospitalized patients are unvaccinated. Governor Larry Hogan said the state's Surge Operations Center is monitoring statewide hospital bed capacity and is maximizing alternate care sites. Hospitals are required to suspend elective surgeries and manage patient census. In addition, the state is streamlining licensing and funding measures to address urgent health care staffing shortages. Hogan said the Maryland National Guard is standing up surge testing sites as state health officials work to acquire more at-home rapid test kits. Hogan is continuing to urge Marylanders to get vacinnated, get the booster and to get tested…