The daily number of new cases confirmed in Maryland has increased for three consecutive days, and on Friday it reached its highest point since the beginning of May.
After state officials confirmed 368 cases on Tuesday, the amount of new cases reported each day has grown each day since then, rising to 890 new cases confirmed on Friday.
That is the highest number of new cases reported in a single day in Maryland since May 1, when the state confirmed 939 new cases.
State officials attribute the recent rise in COVID cases in Maryland across the country to the Delta variant, which is more transmissible than the original coronavirus strain.
Gov. Larry Hogan on Thursday said the Delta variant accounts for nearly 100% of the new cases being sequenced in Maryland are attributed to the Delta variant.
As of Friday, Maryland has confirmed a total of 472,224 coronavirus cases to date, while 3,776,585 Marylanders have tested negative for the virus.
The state has recorded a total of 4,263 new cases over the past seven days, an increase of about 0.9%.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week advised that all Americans, including those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, should wear masks indoors in areas of the country with “substantial or high transmission” of coronavirus.
Hogan on Thursday said he is not reinstating any statewide mask requirements at this time, despite the CDC reporting that 17 of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions are currently experiencing substantial or high transmission levels.
Instead, Hogan said the state will leave it up to local governments and businesses to decide whether to require masks and in what settings.
In Maryland, 15 jurisdictions are experiencing substantial levels of transmission: Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Washington, and Worcester counties.
Dorchester and Wicomico counties are experiencing high levels of coronavirus transmission.
The CDC is reporting moderate transmission levels in the seven remaining Maryland jurisdictions: Allegany, Carroll, Garrett, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties.
A week ago on July 30, St. Mary’s County was the only Maryland jurisdiction experiencing substantial community transmission, with the other 23 jurisdictions experiencing lower transmission levels at that time.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott on Thursday announced that the city will reinstate its indoor mask mandate, regardless of vaccination status, starting Aug. 9. Scott and Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa cited the growing prevalence of the Delta variant of the coronavirus as the reason behind the new order.
Also on Thursday, Hogan announced that effective Sept. 1 state government employees working in healthcare, juvenile services, public safety and correctional services, and veterans affairs will be required to show proof that they have been vaccinated. Employees who are unable to show vaccination proof will be required to wear a mask and be tested regularly for COVID-19.
The CDC reported that the Delta variant is more than two times as contagious as the original strain of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Vaccines are still highly effective in preventing hospitalization, severe illness and death from the Delta variant, with unvaccinated individuals accounting for nearly all COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths across the country, CDC officials said.
Vaccinated individuals’ risk of infection is significantly lower than that of unvaccinated individuals. However, the CDC reported that vaccinated individuals who experience extremely rare “breakthrough cases” had similarly high viral loads as unvaccinated individuals, and those “breakthrough” vaccinated individuals could transmit the virus.
Maryland’s seven-day average positivity rate rose above the 3% mark on Saturday for the first time since May 9 when it sat at 3.06%.
After reaching 3.03% on Saturday, the average continued to rise this week to 3.79% on Friday.
A total of 9,626 Marylanders are confirmed to have died from COVID-19, including 27 people whose deaths were reported over the last seven days. There are also 220 Marylanders whose deaths are suspected to be related to the virus.
There are currently 345 Marylanders hospitalized due to coronavirus-related complications.
The CDC on Friday reported that 78.1% of Marylanders age 18 or older have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
A total of 3,590,065 Marylanders are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The number of fully vaccinated Marylanders increased by 33,769 people, or about 0.9%, since July 30.
Baltimore residents can register for a vaccination appointment by visiting coronavirus.baltimorecity.gov or calling 443-984-8650.
Baltimoreans who are unable to leave their home can register to be vaccinated at their residence by calling 443-984-2273 or visiting covax.baltimorecity.gov.
Residents across Maryland can find a nearby vaccination clinic by visiting coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine.
Please start reporting the Percent of FULLY vaccinated people, not just the number of people vaccinated. The first of the second shot does not mean you are fully vaccinated. After the second shot 2 weeks later you are considered protected. Both one shot and 2 shot people need to wear masks. The word “vaccinated” gets thrown around way too cavalierly. You are considered fully vaccinated and protected after 2 weeks from your second shot (unless you received the JJ one shot only).
Secondly, would like to see the percent of rate of infections for each county. For example, Wicomico is close or over 4%.