The number of new reported cases of COVID-19 is declining in the tri-state region, the effects of the virus outbreak over the past month are still being felt.
Washington County saw a low of about 25 percent in new cases reported for the week ending Sunday through last week. Berkeley County, West Virginia, experienced a decline of more than 48 percent during the same period.
But research through the USA TODAY knowledge network of Johns Hopkins University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the number of deaths last week is high. At least another forty-five people have died from COVID-related reasons in the tri-state region. .
In addition, the positivity rate, a percentage derived from the number of positive cases discovered and the total number analyzed, in the region remains high. For example, Washington County’s positivity rate as of Monday was 25. 59 percent.
The positivity rate can be higher or lower, as not all COVID-19 testing users at home report its effects. The Maryland Department of Health introduced an internet link about two weeks ago for other people to report positive COVID-19 test results at home. Checks. The link goes through the state’s OneStop online hub for state permits and application forms. Visit onestop. md. gov and search for “COVID”.
To learn more about the effect of COVID-19 on the region, Meritus Medical Center east of Hagerstown reported Monday that 62 of its 251 patients tested positive for the virus. Of those positive cases, 46 were unvaccinated, or about 74 percent.
A week ago, on Monday, there were 78 out of 294 COVID patients in the hospital, before January, Meritus peaked at 99 COVID patients. The bed capacity of the medical center can be greater than approximately 330 in case of emergency.
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Meanwhile, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Monday that the state’s overall positivity rate has fallen below 10 percent.
“At the moment, consecutive day, our positivity rate is in the singles digits, a sign of the encouraging progress we are making,” Hogan said in a press release. “As we emerge from the Omicron wave faster than any state, we continue to urge Marylanders to take precautions and, most importantly, get vaccinated. “
The Washington County Department of Health and Meritus Health have several COVID-19 vaccination clinics scheduled for this week and continue to have testing sites. Walk-in visits are welcome or others can sign up to schedule an appointment by calling 240-313-3456 or visiting the county fitness department’s website washcofitness. org.
And the vaccination clinic for children ages 5 to 11 that was scheduled to take place at Clear Spring Middle School last week but was canceled due to weather situations has been postponed.
The Department of Health has scheduled the following vaccination clinics:
Tuesday, February 1:
Wednesday, February 2:
Friday, February 4:
Meritus administers walk-in vaccines by appointment Monday through Friday from 9 a. m. m. a 3 p. m. in the atrium of the Robinwood Professional Center, 11110 Medical Campus Road.
To make an appointment, email COVID. vaccine@meritushealth. com.
Meritus offers walk-in vaccination clinics for children ages five and older in the atrium from noon to 4:30 p. m. m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, according to their website.
The fitness formula also grants the following cellular vaccination clinics:
Tuesday, February 1:
Wednesday, February 2:
Thursday, February 3:
Friday, February 4:
Here’s a look at the COVID-19 numbers for Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia counties:
>> Find out how your network has fared with coronavirus cases
>> Tracking the Coronavirus in the United States
Herald-Mail editor Joseph Deinlein and USA Today Network reporter Mike Stucka contributed to the story.