An updated COVID-19 booster shot is expected to be available in coming months.
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Manager Sean O’Donnell noted Wednesday that Montgomery County is still in the “low category” for community level transmission, but reported an increase in case rates by PCR testing.
COVID-19 case rates have increased in the county to up to 16 cases per 100,000.
“It’s obviously going to be quite a bit higher given the predominant use of rapid testing,” O’Donnell said during a county media briefing Wednesday.
He said the county looks forward to an updated booster in the fall and hopes to distribute it to uninsured populations. The federal government is contracting with pharmacies to make sure the shot is available for free.
The county still offers free COVID-19 vaccinations at the Dennis Avenue Health Center, and pharmacies and other locations also offer vaccines.
As for hospitalizations, last week there were eight acute care beds and one ICU bed occupied by patients with COVID-19, O’Donnell said. This week, acute care bed usage roughly doubled to 18 beds, and there were no ICU beds occupied by patients with COVID-19 as of Monday.
O’Donnell added that a new vaccine for RSV — another respiratory virus — will be available to those ages 60+. O’Donnell encouraged residents 60+ to talk to their healthcare providers to potentially make an appointment when available.
County Executive Marc Elrich said Wednesday that while COVID-19 transmission remains in a “low scenario,” there is an uptick in cases.
He encouraged residents to get the booster while talking to media during National Night Out on Tuesday.
“We’ve seen a little uptick in cases, but the severity is still really mild,” Elrich said Tuesday evening. He noted the new booster coming out in the fall “that’s designed for the variant that’s around now.”
“Get boosted come September when these things are out and enjoy another six months without more shots,” he said.
Also, the county will hold free back-to-school vaccination clinics for kids this month ahead of the upcoming school year. The vaccinations include Tdap, Meningococcal (MCV4), Meningococcal B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Varicella (chickenpox).
