NEW YORK (AP) — The nation's top public health agency is relaxing its COVID-19 guidelines and dropping the recommendation that Americans quarantine themselves if they come into close contact with an infected person. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also said Thursday that people no longer need to stay at least 6 feet away from others. The changes come more than 2 1/2 years after the start of the […]
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional panel leaders say an additional 135 million doses of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine from a troubled Baltimore factory will have to be destroyed due to quality problems. The announcement Thursday follows a report in May that detailed how more than 400 million vaccine doses made at the Emergent BioSolutions plant would have to be trashed. The latest round of doses slated for destruction were made […]
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, underscoring the extent to which the virus has infiltrated American society. The White House said Thursday the 79-year-old Biden is experiencing "very mild symptoms," including a stuffy nose fatigue and cough. He has begun taking Paxlovid, an antiviral drug designed to reduce the severity of the disease. Biden is fully vaccinated and has received two boosters. When a fully […]
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A panel of Maryland lawmakers has voted to let local school districts decide whether students must wear face coverings in school. The Maryland General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review voted 17-1 on Friday to approve a request by the state's school board to end an emergency order of statewide requirements. Earlier this week, Maryland State School Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury cited improvements in […]
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Gov. Larry Hogan says Maryland will stop requiring masks in state buildings next week. The governor on Monday cited continuing improvements in state health metrics relating to COVID-19. Hospitalizations have dropped to 751 in Maryland. That is down 78% since hitting a peak last month. Hogan says the state is able to take another step toward normalcy in state operations, given the dramatic declines in state […]
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has called on the State Board of Education to stop requiring face coverings in schools. In a letter Thursday to the board's president, Hogan cited the state's improving health metrics, as well as the widespread availability of vaccines for school-age children. Hogan also wrote that a growing number of medical professionals, parents and state officials of both parties throughout the nation are […]
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland Gov Larry Hogan has announced a new plan to encourage people to get booster shots against COVID-19, with a total of $2 million in drawings for people who have been boosted. The prizes will be for 12 residents. The promotion starts next Tuesday, Feb. 15, with a special initial drawing of $500,000. Prizes of $50,000 will be awarded weekly for the following 10 weeks. On […]
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland's governor says his wife has tested positive for the coronavirus and is experiencing mild symptoms. Gov. Larry Hogan tweeted Thursday morning that first lady Yumi Hogan tested positive as part of their weekly testing regimen. The governor says his wife, who has been vaccinated and received a booster, will quarantine at the governor's residence in Annapolis. He says he received negative rapid and PCR tests. […]
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland is opening 10 new hospital-based testing sites for COVID-19. Gov. Larry Hogan announced the locations of the sites while touring a new state-run testing site at Laurel Medical Center. The nine additional sites will open by the end of next week to meet rising demand for testing and to divert people way from emergency rooms just to get a test. The new sites will be […]
