Maryland Sees Rise in COVID-19 Infections, Hospitalizations, Variant Cases
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Maryland is seeing a troubling rise in COVID-19 cases with more than one thousand new infections reported again Wednesday. Maryland is one of at least 19 states seeing a larger increase.
The statewide positivity rate is up to 4.59%. Anne Arundel, Carroll, Cecil and Harford counties have positivity rates above 5%.
"We have people who are too tired of the pandemic restrictions. We have the loosening of restrictions. We have the variants that are spreading. There are a lot of factors that make it more challenging," said Gigi Gronvall, Ph.D., of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
Latest Maryland #COVID19 numbers: 1,000+ new infections; positivity rate up @wjz pic.twitter.com/sphPemlw8F
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) March 24, 2021
She encouraged people to continue to wear masks. Maryland remains under a statewide mask mandate but has loosened restrictions this month, including eliminating capacity limits at restaurants and retail in much of the state.
The State of Maryland is reporting 51,434 COVID-19 vaccinations over the past 24 hours, our highest Tuesday on record. Maryland providers have administered a total of 2,304,408 doses and are averaging 44,553 shots per day. pic.twitter.com/2QLELhmTdX
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) March 24, 2021
As for variants, Maryland is seeing more confirmed cases of the UK strain. They are up 18% in just three days to 291 according to the Centers for Disease Control.
"I would describe it as a race between the vaccines and the variants," Governor Larry Hogan said at a press conference Tuesday.
He said the New York variant is "our biggest concern now."
45 new UK #COVID19 variant cases detected in Maryland since Friday according to CDC. @wjz pic.twitter.com/cdOopyeRQ8
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) March 23, 2021
"Right now, we're seeing big spikes in New York and New Jersey coming down from the Northeast. We want to still advise people if they're traveling out of state that they should get tested," Hogan said.
CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- TIMELINE: Coronavirus In Maryland, Tracking The Spread
- Latest coronavirus stories from WJZ
- Latest CDC Guidelines
Chicago has listed Maryland under a travel alert—requiring a negative COVID test or quarantine.
With Maryland's case count rising, the state is racing to open more mass vaccination sites. Hagerstown's site will begin vaccinations Thursday by appointment only.
The COVID-19 mass vaccination site at Hagerstown Premium Outlets will open on tomorrow, March 25. Vaccinations are by appointment only.
— GoVAX Maryland (@GoVAXMaryland) March 24, 2021
For more information, visit https://t.co/82O7moMsDQ or call 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829). pic.twitter.com/AsFCsf1arK
In Baltimore County, one in four people have now received one dose of the vaccine and the state is increasing supply to the health department.
Baltimore County will receive an increase in #COVID19 vaccines from the state—4900 to 6300 doses each week. County Executive says Timonium mass vaccination site is ready for more people to get vaccinated. 1 in 4 people in the county has gotten at least one shot. @wjz
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) March 24, 2021
Baltimore County will soon have five vaccination sites including two new sites at the Sollers Point Multi-Purpose Center in Turner Station and Sisters Academy in Lansdowne.
Baltimore County will soon have 5 vaccine sites. The newest ones are at Sollers Point Community Center and at Sisters Academy of Baltimore @wjz
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) March 24, 2021
"The folks in the communities will go to that location. They feel much more comfortable and they feel it's a trusted place to go," said Dr. Greg Branch, the Baltimore County health officer.
The new vaccine clinics will be open weekly and serve 300 to 500 people each week.
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.