ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan visited University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC) in Anne Arundel County to thank healthcare workers and mark the beginning of Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Week, which continues through Feb. 13.
“I want to sincerely thank all of our amazing healthcare heroes who have faced unprecedented and never-ending challenges over the last two years,” said Governor Hogan. “These men and women have selflessly and tirelessly worked around the clock to keep Marylanders safe. These heroes are the definition of ‘Maryland Strong’ and our state owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude.”
During his visit, Governor Hogan presented the official Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Week proclamation to Kathleen McCollum, president and chief executive officer of UM BWMC.
The governor also stopped by the state’s COVID-19 testing site at UM BWMC, which opened last month to help divert people away from visiting hospital emergency rooms just to get COVID-19 tests.
As Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Week begins, the state continues to report encouraging trends in key health metrics. After peaking just below 3,500 last month, COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide have declined by nearly 67%. Since peaking just below 30%, the COVID-19 positivity rate has declined by nearly 80%, and is the fifth lowest in the country. The state also continues to report the nation’s lowest COVID-19 case rate.
