12 MD Jurisdictions Meet State's Coronavirus Testing Goal

MARYLAND — Half of Maryland's jurisdictions have met the state's goal to test 10 percent of their populations for the coronavirus as of Thursday. The 12th jurisdiction to accomplish the milestone was Montgomery County.

Here is how some of the jurisdictions rank, according to state officials:

• Baltimore City: 12.1 percent of population tested

• Prince George’s County: 10.6 percent tested

• Baltimore County: 10.4 percent tested

• Montgomery: 10.1 percent tested

• Howard County: 9.6 percent tested

• Carroll County: 9.2 percent tested

• Anne Arundel County: 8.3 percent tested

• Harford County: 7.7 percent tested

• Cecil County: 6.3 percent tested

Testing is one tool to contain the spread of the virus, and it is part of why officials say they do not plan to issue a quarantine order in Maryland.

"Currently we are not recommending that a mandatory quarantine for out-of-state residents be imposed," Dr. Clifford S. Miller said on behalf of the Maryland Department of Health. He was briefing state lawmakers Wednesday at the COVID-19 legislative workgroup's virtual meeting.

"We believe that careful testing and contact tracing investigation method is the most likely to yield the best balance between public health needs and our constitutional rights to interstate commerce," said Miller, who is the director of the state's environmental health bureau. "We recommend that those coming from out-of-state travel, particularly if they have been in situations where feel they may have been exposed to COVID-19 to get tested for COVID-19 so that they can protect both themselves, their families and those they visit."

Miller advised taking what he called "commonsense" protective measures.

"Please wear a mask. Practice social distancing. Get tested if you have concerns," Miller advised. "And if you get called by Maryland COVID, please pick up and help the statewide effort to reduce COVID-19" through contact tracing.

"As we monitor the national situation," Miller said, "we will take additional steps as necessary."

More than 220 testing sites statewide are checking people for COVID-19.

In the past 24 hours, Maryland health officials conducted more than 15,000 tests for the virus.

The positivity rate is 4.53 percent on a seven-day average.

Those under 35 are testing positive at a rate of 6.13 percent, which is 60.9 percent higher than the positivity rate for Marylanders age 35 and older, according to state officials.

As of Thursday, the Maryland Department of Health reports there are 71,447 confirmed cases, and 3,160 people have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, across the state.

More than 3 million people in the United States have tested positive for the virus, and more than 132,000 have died from COVID-19 nationwide, Johns Hopkins reported Thursday.

“While we are seeing dramatic spikes in states across our region and across the nation, here in Maryland, the key health metrics continue to trend in a very positive direction, and we continue to be better positioned for an economic comeback than nearly every other state in America,” Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement Thursday.

“This does not mean the crisis is behind us, or that we can afford to stop being vigilant and cautious," Hogan said. "In order to keep outperforming the nation and continue on our road to recovery, all Marylanders, regardless of age, must continue practicing physical distancing, wearing masks, and avoiding crowds and close gatherings.”

For the latest developments on the coronavirus in Maryland, get Patch news alerts.

The day after Maryland health officials said there were fewer than 400 people hospitalized with the coronavirus, the number has inched up again. As of Thursday morning, authorities report 406 patients in Maryland are hospitalized with the virus. The number of patients in the ICU and acute care also saw slight day-to-day increases.

Coronavirus in Maryland: A Snapshot

Here is a look at Maryland's coronavirus numbers as of Thursday, July 9:

Maryland Hospitalizations, Deaths

Coronavirus At Group Living Facilities

Coronavirus data from congregate living facilities is updated weekly on Wednesdays.

Here are the numbers as of Wednesday, July 8:

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Jurisdiction

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Age And Gender

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Race And EthnicitySymptoms Of Coronavirus

Contracting the coronavirus can result in mild to severe illness. Older adults and those with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart or lung disease, are the most at risk of complications from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These symptoms of coronavirus can appear two to 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• New loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

Those who have trouble breathing, feel persistent pain or pressure in the chest, experience new confusion, have the inability to wake or stay awake or have bluish lips or face should get medical attention immediately, federal health officials say.

While there is no vaccine for the illness, authorities advise staying away from those who are sick, keeping 6 feet of distance between yourself and others, washing hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and wearing a cloth face covering when around others.

This week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approved a $1.6 billion contract with Novavax of Gaithersburg to manufacture 100 million doses of a possible COVID-19 vaccine.

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This article originally appeared on the Baltimore Patch