County Urges Precautions as Respiratory Virus Hospitalizations Surge

Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis and the Maryland Department of Health are urging residents to take preventive measures as respiratory virus hospitalizations exceed 10 per 100,000 residents across Maryland. Effective immediately, the Maryland Department of Health recommends that hospitals, outpatient clinics, and long-term care facilities require masks in all patient-facing settings. Montgomery County DHHS reports that influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 are all circulating at elevated levels based on local wastewater data, and residents should expect longer-than-normal wait times at emergency departments and urgent care centers.