As travelers return home from holiday visits and gatherings, the Maryland Department of Health is calling on clinicians to enhance protective measures and curb the spread of respiratory illnesses. The rate of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and other viruses has risen during the final week of 2023, prompting the state health department to urge clinicians to implement comprehensive prevention measures, including masking and vaccination efforts.

In a letter dated December 28, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Nilesh Kalyanaraman highlighted the increased weekly respiratory virus-associated hospitalization rate, attributing it to escalating COVID-19 and flu infections. The data, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, encompasses hospitalizations for COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

According to the Maryland Department of Health, the combined hospitalization rate for the week ending December 16 stood at 11.4 per 100,000 residents. Kalyanaraman's letter stated that "broad facility-wide source control can be discontinued once the combined weekly respiratory virus-associated hospitalization rate has been below 10 hospitalizations per 100,000 residents for two consecutive weeks."

To address the situation, the deputy secretary recommended key measures for clinicians and healthcare facilities. Universal masking in all patient care areas and patient-facing healthcare settings was advised, along with vaccinating eligible patients and healthcare workers against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. The timely administration of antivirals for respiratory illnesses was also emphasized.

Furthermore, the health department stressed the correct usage of personal protective equipment by employees and clinicians, as well as the optimization of ventilation in healthcare facilities.

Recent data from the Maryland Department of Health reports that the current weekly combined hospitalization rate has decreased to 7.6 as of Wednesday.

In addition to healthcare professionals, the Department of Health is urging Marylanders to take steps to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses. The department emphasizes that individuals can receive both the updated COVID-19 vaccine and the annual flu shot simultaneously, and highlights the availability of a new vaccine for RSV.

In alignment with the CDC's recommendations, the health department encourages individuals to receive updated vaccines before engaging in holiday travels and family gatherings, in order to minimize the spread of respiratory illnesses and protect those with compromised immune systems. The department also reiterates the importance of practicing good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when feeling unwell.

Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the Maryland Department of Health has regularly provided updates on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. From March 18, 2020, to December 31, 2023, the department has reported a total of 1,426,906 cases of COVID-19 in Maryland. Sadly, during the same period, over 17,150 Marylanders have lost their lives to the virus.

On New Year's Eve, seven COVID-related deaths were reported, and 499 people were hospitalized. As the new year begins, 1,306 new cases and at least 11 deaths have already been recorded, according to the Department of Health's latest data.