Baltimore COVID-19 Vaccine Rolling Out, Restrictions Under Review

BALTIMORE, MD — As Baltimore City begins vaccinating first responders against the coronavirus, the mayor said he will decide this week based on data whether to modify restrictions.

The Baltimore City Health Department received 2,600 doses of the coronavirus vaccine last week, according to Health Commissioner Letitia Dzirasa.

"We are in the early stages of the vaccination process," Dzirasa said at a news conference Tuesday, noting there is a "limited supply."

The week of Dec. 20, she said the health department received its first 100 doses of the vaccine and gave it to those who would be administering the vaccine to others.

Baltimore first responders such as EMS, fire and law enforcement personnel will begin getting vaccinated Tuesday, according to Dzirasa, who said individuals would be prescreened to ensure there would not be contraindications.

Vaccinations are rolling out to first responders as Baltimore City tops 700 deaths from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

In Baltimore, 704 people have died from COVID-19, the state health department reported Tuesday.

Baltimore is averaging just over three deaths per day from COVID-19, Dzirasa said.

"This does not reflect the time frame where we would see potential increases" from gatherings like New Year's, Dzirasa continued, stating hospital capacities "remain high."

Intensive care units in Baltimore are at 87 percent capacity and acute care units are at 85 percent — "slightly higher than those numbers were a week ago," Dzirasa said.

To slow the spread of the virus as the holidays approached, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott restricted capacities at businesses, capped gatherings and closed restaurants for in-person dining, effective Dec. 11.

"Friday will mark a month" since the restrictions took effect, Scott said at a news conference Tuesday morning outside City Hall. Although he said he was "cautiously optimistic about our trends," Scott said: "What we've consistently seen is spikes in cases" following holidays.

In the coming days, Scott said he would be reviewing health data with Dzirasa and other health experts. When he makes a decision about the current guidelines on Jan. 8, Scott said he would be considering these metrics:

• Case rate
• Positivity rate
• Hospitalizations
• Deaths

Any changes would take effect at the earliest one week from his announcement, the mayor said.

For more information on the coronavirus in Baltimore, visit coronavirus.baltimorecity.gov/covid.

See Also: Baltimore City Closing Indoor And Outdoor Dining As COVID Spreads