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Virginia will test sewage to help predict COVID-19 outbreaks 11/28/2021 03:54pm • RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health will be monitoring sewage in various parts of the state in an effort to predict future outbreaks of COVID-19. The Danville Register & Bee reported Saturday that VDH is deploying up to 25 wastewater monitoring sites across the commonwealth. Johns Hopkins virologist: 'Pay close attention' to Omicron variant cases 11/27/2021 10:17pm • The Omicron variant, first discovered in Africa, made waves as public health officials like Dr. Anthony Fauci and the World Health Organization began sounding the alarm. After being deemed a "variant of concern," it was detected in areas stretching from Britain to Hong Kong and triggered a change Prince George's Co. prosecutor is focused on underlying needs, causes of crime 11/25/2021 06:33pm • Prince George's County has seen a dramatic rise in the homicide rate in 2021, with more than 100 killings reported so far this year in the Maryland county. But the county's top prosecutor, State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy, said she'll continue to support efforts to address the underlying cause of Montgomery Co. leads in booster doses, pediatric vaccinations; 1st 'test-to-stay' pilot launched 11/24/2021 06:02pm • Montgomery County, Maryland, continues to lead the pack in COVID-19 vaccine booster doses and pediatric vaccinations. Already among the most vaccinated counties in Maryland, the county has administered more than 182,000 booster doses, which is the most in the state, according to data presented We Maryland’s ‘painful’ toll backlog will linger long into 2022, officials warn 11/24/2021 08:51am • When the first wave of COVID-19 infections swept Maryland last year, the state Department of Transportation pulled toll-takers off the job as a safeguard against employees and motorists infecting one another with the new and mysterious virus. The move didn’t affect people who had a valid E-ZPas Bowser's decision to lift indoor mask mandate has DC parents feeling left behind 11/24/2021 04:32am • To celebrate her 6-year-old son becoming fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, D.C. parent Leilah Mooney Joseph has planned what she called a "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" type of day. He wants to go to the grocery store, a shoe store, a toy store and then eat outside at a restaurant. Mooney Jos DC law requires paid leave for employees who get COVID shots 11/23/2021 07:35pm • Private-sector employees in the District now have to be offered two hours of paid leave to get a COVID-19 shot — both for themselves and for their children. An emergency law signed by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser last week also requires up to eight hours of paid leave for recovery time. The law DC 'dials back' indoor masking, largely ending its mandate 11/22/2021 04:00am • Not long after Montgomery County, Maryland, reinstated its mask mandate, D.C. is largely scaling back its own indoor masking as of Monday, per an order from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. The change to the District's approach to masking was released Friday. The city will shift to risk-based guidance Supply 'not an issue' in Virginia for adults who want a COVID-19 booster 11/19/2021 11:43pm • Following the federal government's announcement opening up COVID-19 boosters to all adults, Virginia said it is ready to give boosters to any resident who wants one and supply is not an issue. The Virginia Department of Health said it welcomes the move by the Centers for Disease Control and Preve A conversation about COVID-19 and the holidays with Dr. Joshua Sharfstein 11/18/2021 12:58pm • This content was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today. Dr. Joshua Sharfstein plans to spend a normal Thanksgiving with his family. That was not the case one year ago for him and countless othe As DC mask mandate ends, here are the new mask policies at grocery stores, retailers 11/17/2021 11:17pm • D.C.'s indoor mask mandate is set to end Monday, Nov. 22 — nearly four months after it was reimposed amid a surge in cases over the summer driven by the more infectious delta variant. Starting Monday, businesses can set their own mask policies, according to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser who said the DC Council members ask mayor to reverse decision to drop indoor mask mandate 11/17/2021 08:47pm • D.C.'s indoor mask mandate is scheduled to be lifted Monday, but members of the city council are concerned about the decision and are urging Mayor Muriel Bowser to reverse course and keep the mandate in effect as the holidays approach. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and several of his colleagues Fairfax Co. pharmacy gives wrong COVID-19 vaccine to young kids 11/17/2021 12:38am • A Virginia pharmacy in Fairfax County incorrectly administered the coronavirus vaccine formulated for those 12 and up to young children. The Fairfax County Health Department and the Virginia Department of Health said that KC Pharmacy in Lorton gave children age 5 to 11 doses formulated for those Case of monkeypox confirmed in Maryland 11/16/2021 09:39pm • A case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Maryland, and health officials say no special precautions are recommended at this time for the public. Monkeypox is in the same family of viruses as smallpox but generally causes a milder infection, a news release from the state department of health said. Maryland state education officials weigh in on school mask mandate's future 11/16/2021 07:14pm • Members of the Maryland State Board of Education weighed in Tuesday on whether to keep the state’s school mask mandate in place. The board heard hours of testimony from parents, county school board officials from across the state, and medical professionals on the merits and the objections to re