Coronavirus In Maryland: Hospitalizations Drop As 900 More Cases Reported Sunday

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Hospitalizations dropped Sunday across Maryland as more than 900 new coronavirus cases were reported.

A total of 90,274 confirmed coronavirus cases were reported in Maryland, as hospitalizations dropped from 592 to 553 with 129 patients in the ICU.

LATEST: 800+ New COVID-19 Cases Reported As State Total Surpasses 91K

Seven more Marylanders died this weekend, bringing the total number of COVID-19 deaths to 3,381.

The statewide positivity rate increased from 4.47% Saturday to 4.6% Sunday.

The 21224 ZIP code of southeast Baltimore once again led the state in added COVID-19 cases as surges in Baltimore City and Baltimore County continue.

More than 1.2 million COVID-19 tests have been administered in the state, with more than 850,000 coming back negative.

"The rise in the cases and positivity rate also reflects increased transmission," said Dr. Neil Roy, emergency department chair at Sinai Hospital.

He said he was not surprised at the rise of cases.

"It's understandable. People want to spend more time with their loved ones, with their families, be out and about, but the problem with that is if you're not exercising proper safety precautions, then the spread still happens," Dr. Roy said.

Of Maryland's most populated counties, Harford County's confirmed cases have grown by more than half since July 4, followed by surgest in Baltimore County and Baltimore City.

Cases in Washington County grew by more than 40 percent in the past four weeks.

People in their thirties remain the age group with the most cases.

"We are seeing an increase in cases for those who are 35 years of age and younger, and that is a concerning trend," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

"You may not believe in coronavirus, but coronavirus believes in you and the threat of it is very real fo you and your loved ones even if you don't believe it is," Dr. Roy said.

Maryland's expanded mask order went into effect Friday night, mandating masks in public spaces of businesses and outdoors when it's not possible to social distance.

"We don't have the ability to know who's infected and who's not infected, so this is one way where people can have some surety that, when they go out, they're not exposing themselves or others to the virus," said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a Johns Hopkins' infectious disease physician.

Dr. Roy said vigilance needs to remain high.

"I think we've become a little bit less vigilant about the basics of distancing, hand-washing, and masking,"

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: 

• Coronavirus Resources: How To Get Help In Maryland
• TIMELINE: Coronavirus In Maryland, Tracking The Spread
• Latest coronavirus stories from WJZ
• Latest CDC Guidelines

A breakdown of the numbers:

By County

By Age Range and Gender

By Race and Ethnicity

For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.

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• Maryland
• COVID-19