As of now, Maryland has reported over 1.5 million COVID-19 cases since March 2020. This milestone is significant, especially since many people don’t test or report their results anymore. Experts believe we likely passed this number months ago due to the mild nature of many current cases.
COVID-19 has changed a lot since the World Health Organization declared it a public health emergency in March 2020. Vaccines are widely available now, leading to lower hospitalization and death rates compared to the pandemic’s peak.
Dr. Andrew Pekosz, a public health researcher, emphasizes that while the virus is still present, it is less severe than before. He describes the current state of COVID-19 as “endemic,” meaning it will likely continue to circulate in the population like the flu.
Despite this endemic status, health officials are cautious. They note that COVID-19 can still affect vulnerable populations, particularly those over 55 and those with existing health issues. In Maryland, around 94% of COVID-19 deaths involve individuals aged 50 and older, even though they represent only a third of total cases.
Current statistics show a stark difference from the highest surge, which occurred on December 28, 2021, with over 17,000 cases reported in a single day. Recently, only 1,305 cases were reported in one week, and around 4,500 cases for the entire month of January.
Public health experts are concerned about federal decision-making affecting how data is shared. Recently, some vital health datasets from places like the CDC went offline, which could hinder our understanding of COVID-19 and other health challenges. Dr. Georges Benjamin highlights the risks of this: without clear and timely communication, communities may not be prepared for potential outbreaks.
Dr. Pekosz supports this view, saying that quick responses are key to managing health crises. Poor communication can hamper our ability to react effectively, which is not ideal for public health.
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Andrew Pekosz,COVID-19,endemic,flu,Georges Benjamin,Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health,Maryland Department of Health,pandemic
