Omicron is Maryland’s dominant variant, and COVID-19 positivity and hospitalization rates are at record highs. Gov. Larry Hogan has called for a new 30-day state of emergency, and local governments are ramping up COVID testing. Baltimore City housing advocates are demanding a halt to evictions as COVID continues to surge. And Baltimore area congressmen reflect on the one year anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, and the future of our democracy.

Today we bring you our last episode of 2021. As we’re winding down our second year of the pandemic and the Daily Dose, we’re taking this week to look back. On Monday we took you back in time to the chaotic early days of COVID vaccines, to police reform, to cicadas, and cicada tattoos. Tonight we’re sharing more of our news team’s favorite stories of 2021.

Well….we’re winding down another year of The Daily Dose. A podcast we started in March of 2020 to bring you the latest news on COVID-19, back when we weren't sure what to make of it.Now believe it or not, we’re entering year number three of this pandemic, with an even more transmissible strain called omicron.As year two comes to a close, we're taking a look back to listen to some of our news team's best work of 2021.

The rush is on…and not for last minute gift shopping….Maryland residents are trying to find COVID tests. We visited some sites around town where lines were long and patience was a virtue. Some hospital leaders are pleading for the public’s help in slowing the spread of omicron. A lawsuit against the Baltimore County Council contends its redistricting map violates the Voting Rights act. And Baltimore’s old Dollar House program gets a hearing in the City Council.

Maryland's positivity rate is the highest it’s been since the summer of 2020. Hospital leaders in Baltimore County are warning of a severe bed shortage due to the ongoing COVID surge. And the President of the Maryland Hospital Association tells us what we have to look forward to in the new year.

Health experts warned us of a possible post-Thanksgiving surge. Well…that COVID surge is here, and Maryland hospitals are already feeling the impact. Baltimore City’s Health Commissioner gives a spin down on what we now know about omicron. Environmental advocacy groups are gearing up for the 2022 Maryland Legislative session. And a Baltimore task force aims to build a pathway between vulnerable communities and the trauma informed care they need.

The state health department is creating a “surge operation center” as COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise and the U.S. reaches a grim milestone. Cases of COVID-19 doubled this month in Baltimore County Public Schools. Baltimore’s homicides rose this year – and so has success in solving them. Plus we’ll hear from doctors on what we know about COVID-19 “long haulers.”

The Maryland Department of Health’s website continues to be affected by a cyber attack that happened earlier this month. Anne Arundel’s County Executive touts his administration’s accomplishments in his state of the county speech. The Baltimore County Council is set to hold a public hearing on a redistricting map tomorrow that opponents say weaken the voting power of minorities. And an infectious diseases doctor tells us why boosters are no longer an option, but a necessity.

More than 1,000 Marylanders are hospitalized with COVID-19 for the first time since April. State health officials are urging people to get their vaccines and their booster shots. 16 to 17 year olds are now eligible for COVID-19 boosters. And the General Assembly overrides Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto of the Congressional redistricting maps.

COVID-19 hospitalization rates in Maryland are at their highest since May. Baltimore County will give bonuses to school employees hoping to stem a tidal wave of resignations. Mayor Brandon Scott marks his first year in office…still facing a pandemic but with hundreds of millions in ARPA dollars to address many issues. Republicans in Maryland’s Senate try to rally support for Hogan’s tough on crime measures in this special session. And Dr. Leana Wen shares what’s known about omicron.