7 Maryland Counties' Positivity Rates Are Above 5%, Gov. Hogan Says
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Though Maryland is still seeing lower metrics than some states across the country, numbers have been trending up in parts of the state. Gov. Hogan is warning Marylanders to stay vigilant.
"The indisputable fact is that we are now in the midst of a major surge of COVID-19 in America, something Maryland has been preparing for the past eight months," Gov. Hogan said Thursday.
The state's seven-day positivity rate, at 4.21%, is still lower than 42 states. However, it is trending in the wrong direction, the state said.
HOGAN NEWS CONFERENCE UPDATES:
- Maryland Prepared For Fall Surge In COVID-19 Cases As New Cases Reach Highest Level In Months, Gov. Hogan Says
- Coronavirus Latest: Gov. Hogan Renews Call For More Healthcare Workers To Avoid Shortages
- 'Just Wear A Damn Mask,' Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Says As COVID-19 Cases Increase In The State
- Nearly 40 Maryland Companies Working On COVID-19 Vaccines, Therapeutics
There are now seven jurisdictions above the 5% benchmark, Hogan said: Allegheny, Dorchester, Garrett, Harford, Prince George's, Queen Anne's and Somerset counties.
"We now have 7 jurisdictions in our state which have gone above that 5%," Gov. Hogan said.
Harford County Executive Barry Glassman said he's always anticipated a fluctuation in the number of cases, especially during the fall months.
"We are not going to panic or pull the fire alarm based on surging coming and going," Glassman said. "We are going to try to manage our health risk going forward."
Glassman added that there's no particular activity at fault for this increase in coronavirus cases. He said he thinks the increase is a product of the fall and winter seasons.
For the time being, Glassman said he's not going to close anything down or impose any new restrictions.
Maryland has now reported 149,964 COVID-19 cases, including 1,198 on Thursday alone. That's the highest one-day total since July 25, Hogan said. In addition, 4,035 deaths have been reported in the state.
WATCH BELOW: Hogan's Full News Conference
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.
