Maryland Opens All Vaccination Sites To Anyone 16+; Infections In Baltimore City Up 172% In 4 Weeks
BALTIMORE (WJZ) —Almost one in four Marylanders is now fully vaccinated, but new infections and the positivity rate are still rising.
Monday, for the first time, the state allowed Marylanders to go anywhere they wanted to get a vaccination. Before, the newly eligible were limited to mass vaccination sites, of which two more opened up Monday.
The new sites opened at Frederick Community College and Navy-Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.
"We ultimately want a vaccine available for anybody who can take a vaccine," Dr. Clifford Mitchell of the Maryland Department of Health told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren. He encouraged people to make appointments, while noting a limited number of walk-up vaccinations are available at some mass vaccination locations.
All Marylanders 16+ are now eligible for vaccination through all providers. To pre-register for vaccination at a mass vaccination site or to find a hospital, pharmacy or local health department near you to make an appointment, visit https://t.co/82O7moMsDQ. #GoVAXMaryland pic.twitter.com/4EltmvoApJ
— GoVAX Maryland (@GoVAXMaryland) April 12, 2021
Maryland is also planning to open new mass vaccination sites this week at Frederick Community College and the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.
Governor Hogan tweeted that 49% of all adults in Maryland have received at least one dose of vaccine.
Today, we are reporting our highest Sunday vaccine total on record. Maryland providers are now averaging 68,807 shots per day, and all Marylanders age 16 and over are now eligible to get vaccinated through all providers. https://t.co/MjHeoZ5E5J pic.twitter.com/DMo8QlCQzb
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) April 12, 2021
There are more glimmers of hope: The University of Maryland System released video of the 1000th patient discharged from the hospital following a harrowing bout with COVID—19.
After a 31-day hospitalization, Steven Nicewarner was the 1,000th UMMS COVID-19 patient discharged to go home. His is a story of survival – and his family's story of gratitude to those who helped save his life. https://t.co/l27bPQ4PNY
— University of Maryland Medical System (@umms) April 12, 2021
Pfizer is getting closer to gaining approval to vaccinate children as young as 12. Some children are already dealing with long-term problems from Covid.
People in three states suffered adverse reactions to Johnson & Johnson's vaccine last week.
Maryland is getting 250,000 fewer J&J doses for the remainder of April because of manufacturing issues in Baltimore, but the White House's senior Covid adviser doesn't see a problem meeting vaccination goals.
"We are pleased by the fact that Johnson & Johnson in the meantime has taken control of the plant, has eliminated the confounding factor of another vaccine being produced there, and they remain confident that they're going to be able to deliver at or near 24 million doses this month and close to 100 million by May. So, we remain confident that big picture, we have more than enough vaccine to continue to vaccinate the public," said Andy Slavitt.
Variants are also a concern. The CDC says 20.4% of recent cases in Maryland are the more contagious UK strain.
In Baltimore City, the number of new infections is up 172% compared to 4 weeks ago.
Harford County is leading the state in positivity at 9.29%.
Maryland recorded another 985 cases on Monday with the statewide positivity rate at 5.6%.
Today, @MDHealthDept reports 427,715 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Maryland.
— Maryland Department of Health (@MDHealthDept) April 12, 2021
The statewide positivity rate is now 5.6%.
Maryland has 8,284 deaths, 3,236,949 negative tests and 10,026 patients have been released from isolation.https://t.co/9LEHaSDimJ pic.twitter.com/kygMxXXefD
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.