Maryland Department of Health receives 1-year, nearly $700,000 HHS grant to enhance telehealth services in family planning sites

BALTIMORE, MD— The Maryland Department of Health has been awarded a one-year, $699,987 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support statewide efforts to improve health equity by expanding telehealth services in family planning and preventive care service sites. MDH will use the funds through May 31, 2023, to provide telehealth capacity-building training and technical […]

First case of presumed human monkeypox virus identified in Maryland, risk of transmission remains low

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on Thursday identified the first presumed case of human monkeypox virus infection in an adult Maryland resident from the National Capital Region. The individual is currently recovering in isolation and is not hospitalized. The initial testing was conducted at the State Public Health […]

FDA investigating hepatitis outbreak potentially connected to organic strawberries

BALTIMORE, MD—The FDA, along with CDC, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, state, and local partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A infections in the United States and Canada potentially linked to fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo and HEB, purchased between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022. Currently, the potentially […]

MDOT announces masks now optional at BWI Marshall Airport, on MTA Transit Systems

HANOVER, MD—The Transportation Security Administration has rescinded the security directives requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs that were scheduled to take effect on Tuesday. Effective immediately, masks are now optional in the terminal and on flights arriving and departing from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Masks also are now optional on all Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland […]

Attorney General Frosh calls on EPA to strengthen protections against childhood lead poisoning

BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh this week joined a coalition of 19 state attorneys general in calling on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen protections against lead poisoning. In comments on the EPA‘s “Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities,” the coalition called the draft strategy a “strong starting […]

Baltimore County Public Schools officials provide update on when masking requirement might be dropped

UPDATE: Masks will become optional at Baltimore County Public Schools on March 1st. Original story below… ——— TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Public Schools officials on Wednesday provided an update on when school masking requirements might be eliminated. On February 10, 2022, Baltimore County’s COVID-19 case rate dropped below 100 cases per 100,000 residents, moving the county out of the CDC’s high […]

Maryland State Board of Education issues statement on school masking requirement

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Board of Education on Friday issued a statement on its statewide school face covering requirement. Earlier this week, Governor Larry Hogan, citing the state’s much-improved COVID-19 metrics, called on the board to rescind its mask mandate. The board’s Friday statement reads as follows: With improving Covid-19 metrics throughout Maryland, the Maryland State Board of Education reaffirms […]

Baltimore County Public Schools officials announce new COVID-19 isolation, quarantine guidelines

TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Public Schools officials on Friday announced new COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidelines. Effective Tuesday, January 18, 2022, BCPS will follow the new procedures below, which they say are in alignment with updated state and county guidance. ISOLATION PROCEDURES Student/Staff has a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19: Students and staff must stay home for at least five […]