Rate Of New Coronavirus Cases Slows In MD, Governor Says

MARYLAND — Authorities said 260 people tested positive for the coronavirus in the past day in Maryland after more than 8,500 tests were conducted. The number of new cases is slowing as the state prepares for more businesses and venues to reopen, officials report.

"ICU beds have fallen to their lowest level since April 5, and the state is reporting its lowest number of new cases since March 31," Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Thursday morning. In March, coronavirus testing capacity and criteria were much more limited.

The state opened a high-volume testing site Wednesday at the Baltimore Convention Center. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, June 19, at 1 West Pratt Street in Baltimore.

“We are strongly encouraging anyone who wants to be tested for COVID-19, and anyone who has been in any large gathering, or who may have been exposed — especially those who are in or around vulnerable populations — to get tested," Hogan said in a statement this week.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 19, Hogan is allowing gyms, malls and casinos to reopen with safety and sanitizing measures in place.

"As more people are returning to the workplace, and as more people are beginning to interact with larger numbers of people," Hogan said, "testing will become more critical than ever."

See an interactive map of COVID-19 testing sites in Maryland.

There are 63,229 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Maryland, state health officials reported Thursday.

The positivity rate is at 5.43 percent statewide, Hogan said Thursday, noting there are more than 160 locations to get tested for the virus.

Here are the larger testing sites:

• A large testing site has been set up at Six Flags America theme park, which will offer appointment-free testing from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, June 19, at 13710 Central Avenue in Upper Marlboro.
• At the Baltimore Convention Center, people can walk in or schedule an appointment for Friday.
• The Maryland State Fairgrounds is open Tuesdays and Thursday for drive-thru testing at 2200 York Road in Timonium. Make an appointment for testing at the fairgrounds online.

Since the pandemic began in March, state health officials say more than 535,000 coronavirus tests have been administered across Maryland, and more than 10,000 people have been hospitalized with the virus.

For more than three weeks, the number of coronavirus patients in the hospital has decreased each day, according to state health data.

Coronavirus in Maryland: A Snapshot

Here is a look at Maryland's coronavirus numbers as of Thursday, June 18:

Coronavirus At Group Living Facilities

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

Here are the numbers as of Thursday, June 18:

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Jurisdiction

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Age And Gender

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Race And Ethnicity

See Also:

• 'Maryland Did Well’ In Its Response To The Coronavirus Pandemic: Fauci
• Indoor Dining, Gyms, Malls: Hogan Outlines MD Stage 2 Reopening
• Get Tested For Coronavirus, MD Governor Tells Protesters
• MD Stage 2 Reopening: Massage Parlors, MVA To Reopen With Limits