COVID-19 In Maryland: Over 1,800 New Cases As Positivity Rate And Hospitalizations Continue To Increase

ANNAPOLIS (WJZ) — The Maryland positivity rate continues to rise while 1,840 new COVID-19 cases were reported Sunday, according to data from the State Department of Health.

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Hospitalizations also continued to rise with seventeen more Marylanders hospitalized due to the virus, bringing the total to 938. There are now 238 people in ICU beds, while acute care cases dropped slightly to 700.

Nine more Marylanders have died since Saturday, bringing the total to 4,153.

The state now has had 165,930 confirmed cases of the coronavirus throughout the pandemic.

The state's calculation of the positivity rate increased again on Sunday, going from 6.16% to 6.57% an increase of 0.41%.

As the holidays approach, Gov. Larry Hogan said this week he had hoped to host his three daughters, his son-in-laws and his grandchildren for Thanksgiving at the Governor's Mansion.

"We made the determination to cancel those plans. Everybody is going to stay home," Gov. Hogan said.

Because of concerning upward trends in coronavirus cases, those plans have changed.

In Baltimore County, new restrictions are officially in place. Indoor gatherings are now limited to 10 people and 25 people outdoors. Bars and restaurants must close by midnight.

The governor said that family gatherings, though, are the most dangerous activity.

And just as he has done, he's urging all Marylanders to rethink their Thanksgiving plans.

"We're providing something that is probably missing this holiday season," said Catey Minnis, Brand Manager at Atwater's.

Knowing that this year is going to be different, local kitchens and restaurants- like Atwater's Food in Canton- are offering up homemade turkey dinners, for those who may be spending the holiday alone.

It also is a means by which people can shop local.

"All of what we make is made by hand, made by people here at our kitchen in Baltimore," Minnis said.

WJZ got an inside look at some of the preparations at the Four Seasons Baltimore, which typically would serve as many as 300 people on Thanksgiving Day.

But instead, it is offering a four course meal to go.

"As people can't travel and gather in large groups, the meal itself can still be special," said Sean Casserly, Director of Marketing Four Seasons Baltimore.

Many of the orders need to be placed ahead of time, and are meant to serve the smaller groups gathering around the holiday table.

"Whether its two people or four people or eight people, we are really thrilled to be a part of that," Casserly said.

Both Atwater's in Canton and the Four Seasons Baltimore require that you place your order by Sunday, November 22. You can order online at the links attached above.

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

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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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