Judging from recent trends in local wastewater surveillance, Maryland is facing a significant spike in COVID-19 levels, with the state experiencing its highest levels of viral activity in wastewater since early January. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were "very high" levels of viral activity, nearly double the national levels, detected in Maryland's wastewater as of last week.

The increase in COVID-19 cases is not limited to wastewater, as hospitalizations from the virus have more than doubled in the past month. Data from the Maryland Department of Health reveals a rise in hospitalizations from 60 on June 22 to 135 on Monday. However, the current numbers remain significantly lower than the peak seen during the winter surge in January.

While most patients have mild symptoms and do not require hospitalization, emergency room doctors at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore have noticed a slight increase in COVID-19 patients. Dr. Gregory Cocoran, director of the hospital's emergency department, speculates that the unusual summer surge may be attributed to the exceptionally hot weather, leading people to gather indoors with air conditioning, facilitating the spread of the virus.

Dr. Niharika Khanna, a family medicine physician at the University of Maryland Medical Center, has also observed a slight increase in COVID-19 patients but notes that most individuals report mild symptoms. The majority of patients now conduct COVID-19 tests at home and consult their primary care doctors through telehealth appointments. Dr. Khanna emphasizes that many patients are not severely ill and do not require hospitalization.

In anticipation of a summer increase in COVID-19 cases, the Baltimore City Health Department launched an ad campaign encouraging residents, especially older adults, to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines. The campaign stresses the importance of protecting vulnerable populations and highlights the CDC's recommendation for updated COVID-19 shots for everyone aged 6 months and older.

In Poolesville, a rural town in Montgomery County, Dr. Amar Duggirala, president-elect of the Maryland Academy of Family Physicians, has already placed an order for the newest batch of vaccines from Moderna. Similar to other rural areas, Poolesville has experienced vaccine hesitancy, which has worsened since the start of the pandemic. Dr. Duggirala and his colleagues make a concerted effort to address vaccine hesitancy during patient conversations, emphasizing the importance of vaccination in reducing the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and long COVID.

As Maryland confronts this surge in COVID-19 cases, health experts and officials urge residents to remain vigilant, stay informed, and prioritize vaccination as a crucial step in mitigating the spread of the virus and protecting the community.

(Note: This news article is generated using the available information provided. It does not incorporate any additional external sources or updated data.