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Maryland reports lowest number of new HIV cases in more than 30 years

November 27th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

The number of newly reported HIV cases this year is the lowest it’s been in Maryland in over 30 years.

That’s according to the Maryland Department of Health, which announced Tuesday that 997 new HIV cases were reported in 2018. That’s the lowest number since 1986, when 947 new cases were reported.

The highest rates of new infection (per 100,000) were in Baltimore City (224) and Prince George’s County (311). Below are some numbers of new diagnoses in 2018 by county:

  • Anne Arundel County — 40
  • Charles County — 22
  • Frederick County — 22
  • Howard County — 31
  • Montgomery County — 123

“Though Maryland is one of the states hit hard by HIV, we have made substantial progress in reducing new infections over the past 10 years,” said state Department of Health Secretary Robert R. Neall in a statement. “We still have a lot of work to do, but today’s numbers are an encouraging sign that Maryland’s prevention and treatment efforts are working to achieve our goals.”

The low infection rate puts Maryland on track to support the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services goal of reducing the number of new HIV infections nationwide by 75% within five years and by 90% by 2030.

HHS’ “Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America” program gives funds to the communities most affected by HIV and supports landmark research to improve HIV prevention, treatment and care.

One Response to “Maryland reports lowest number of new HIV cases in more than 30 years”

  1. November 27, 2019 at 12:24 pm, Bob said:

    Locally, of course, matters are getting worse with 4 times as many new cases in 2018 as a couple years earlier. The woes of a real city without the benefits.

    Reply

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