New analysis: Maryland receives “trending better” marks for COVID-19 containment measures

Maryland PIRG provides fact sheet based on metrics from coronavirus watchdog

Maryland PIRG

Baltimore — With America as a whole continuing to struggle in containing the COVID-19 virus, Maryland PIRG released a new fact sheet today calling on the state to maintain all current restrictions, and consider implementing additional containment measures if COVID-19 cases begin to rise again. 

This finding is based on analysis by CovidExitStrategy.org a nonpartisan group of public health and crisis experts, which ranked Maryland, as “trending better” based on its analysis of Maryland’s performance on four Centers for Disease Control-recommended benchmarks. 

“It’s been clear from early on in this pandemic that we must listen to public health experts or suffer dire consequences,” said Maryland PIRG Director  Emily Scarr. “The data shows that we’re on the right track in Maryland, but as the virus surges across the country, we must remain vigilant to protect public health and welfare.”

The fact sheet provides data in the four key categories: 14-day decline in influenza-like illness; declining COVID positive cases; diminishing percentage of COVID positive cases; and appropriate hospital capacity.

As of June 26, Maryland was meeting 3 of four benchmarks. Specifically, in the last 14 days Maryland has had declines in influenza-like illness, new cases, and in positivity rates, the state does does not have appropriate hospital capacity to treat all patients without crisis care.

Nationally, only 6 states are meeting the standards in all four categories as of June 26. As of June 29, the number had dropped to three.

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Maryland PIRG is an advocate for the public interest. We speak out for a healthier, safer world in which we’re freer to pursue our own individual well-being and the common good.