Recent News

Health Commissioner Declares Code Red Extreme Heat Alert for Thursday through Saturday; First of the Season

With temperatures expected to rise in the Baltimore region and the heat index forecasted to reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit the next couple of days, Baltimore City Acting Commissioner of Health, Mary Beth Haller, has issued a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert for Thursday, July 27 through Saturday July 29, 2023.  The heat index is a measure of air temperature and relative humidity and indicates how hot it feels to the human body.  This is Baltimore City’s first Code Red Extreme Heat Alert of the season.

Baltimore City Health Department Announces Public Dashboard Tracking Opioid Overdoses

Baltimore, MD— On Monday, the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) announced the launch of a public dashboard to track and report data on opioid overdoses in Baltimore City. The dashboard includes data from 1999 through 2020– the last year for which finalized data is available.

Health Commissioner Declares Code Blue Extreme Cold Alert for Baltimore City Friday Evening

BALTIMORE, MD (February 2, 2023)— With frigid air moving into the area, bringing forecasted wind chills down into the single digits, Health Commissioner Letitia Dzirasa today issued a Code Blue Extreme Cold declaration for Baltimore City Friday evening, February 3rd through Saturday morning, February 4th.

Health Commissioner Declares First Code Blue Extreme Cold Alert of the Season

BALTIMORE, MD (December 22, 2022)— Temperatures are predicted to fall rapidly tomorrow mid-morning, accompanied by high winds. With windchills expected to fall below 0˚F through this weekend, Health Commissioner Letitia Dzirasa today issued a Code Blue Extreme Cold declaration for Baltimore City beginning Friday morning, December 23 through Monday morning, December 26.  This is the first Code Blue Extreme Cold Alert for Baltimore City this season.

Baltimore Wins $8.4M Infrastructure Grant for Public Health

Baltimore, MD – The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) was recently awarded a 5-year $8.4M grant that supports investments in the people, services, and systems needed to protect and promote public health in the City.

“This grant supports direct spending on much-needed resources that invest in our depleted workforce following the aftermath of the pandemic,” Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa said. “We will use this important funding for public health infrastructure allowing us to establish more resilient internal systems, processes, and protocols.”

State Launches MPX Pre-Registration Site, At-Risk City Residents Encouraged to Register

Baltimore, MD – On Thursday, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) launched the Maryland Statewide Human Monkeypox (MPX) Vaccination Pre-Registration System. The site allows City residents to sign up to be notified when a MPX vaccine opportunity becomes available.

The pre-registration page allows the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) to screen residents for eligibility and match them with available MPX vaccine doses. The new site expands BCHD’s ability to meet the growing demand for an extremely limited number of vaccine doses and appointments in Baltimore.

Health Commissioner Extends Code Red Extreme Heat Alert through Tuesday

BALTIMORE, MD (August 8th, 2022

With the heat index forecasted to reach as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit in the Baltimore region again tomorrow, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa has extended the previously announced Code Red Extreme Heat Alert through Tuesday August 9th. The heat index is a measure of air temperature and relative humidity and indicates how hot it feels to the human body. 

Health Commissioner Declares Code Red Extreme Heat Alert for August 7th & 8th

BALTIMORE, MD (August 5th, 2022) 

With temperatures expected to rise in the Baltimore region and the heat index forecasted to reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit multiple days in a row, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa has issued a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert for Sunday, August 7th and Monday, August 8th. The heat index is a measure of air temperature and relative humidity and indicates how hot it feels to the human body. 

Coveted MPX Vaccine Appointments Filled in 90 minutes, Demand in City Outstrips Supply 

For Immediate Release 8/4/2022

Baltimore, MD – On Thursday BCHD offered 60 monkeypox (MPX) vaccine appointments to City residents meeting current eligibility criteria. BCHD shared instructions earlier in the week online and in the media for high-risk individuals to seek an appointment reservation by phone Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m.

Health Commissioner Declares Code Red Extreme Heat Alert for Thursday

BALTIMORE, MD (August 3rd, 2022

With temperatures expected to rise in the Baltimore region and the heat index forecasted to reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa has issued a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert for Thursday, August 4th. The heat index is a measure of air temperature and relative humidity and indicates how hot it feels to the human body.

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