COVID-19 cases declining has doctors feeling optimistic

DELMARVA – Despite how hard the omicron variant spike has hit Delmarva, local health officials are very optimistic about the virus’s infection rate declining.

And they say it’s already happening. Maryland has the lowest positivity rate in the country. 47abc spoke with Atlantic General’s Dr. Sally Dowling who says the hospital started the day with only 5 COVID-19 patients. She also says, as for the new variant BA.2, zero local cases have been detected but that doesn’t mean people on Delmarva shouldn’t take precautions.

“Yes, we should be concerned because any new variant is likely to bring another new spike or surge to the area,” she says.

Dr. Dowling says getting vaccinated is your best protection against the coronavirus. The Moderna vaccine was recently fully approved by the FDA, which Atlantic General Hospital does have. Doctors say both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are in good supply, fully available.

Monoclonal therapies are also available at AGH. However studies show only 1 of the therapies showing the best results, but supplies are limited. Dr. Dowling says AGH has still been able to treat those who have been requiring the therapies.