MD Adds Over 1K New Coronavirus Cases For 12th Day In A Row

MARYLAND — For the 12th consecutive day, Maryland added more than 1,000 cases of coronavirus to its tally. The state has 165,930 confirmed cases of the virus, an increase of 1,840 in the past day, the Maryland Department of Health reported Sunday.

For the past two days, the state has set records for new cases. Sunday's count is the third-highest the state has seen in a daily period since the pandemic began.

Statewide the case rate is 26.41 per 100,000, the Maryland Department of Health reported Sunday, Nov. 15.

A case rate greater than 25 per 100,000 indicates community spread is out of control and may require containment measures, according to the Harvard Global Health Institute.

"Maryland is in the red zone for case rates as designated by the federal government," Gov. Larry Hogan said at a Thursday news conference, when the case rate was at 22.8.

Maryland's governor and local leaders have already made some changes to slow the spread of the virus.

The state restricted capacity at restaurants, from 75 to 50 percent, as of 5 p.m. on Nov. 11. Officials advised against indoor gatherings of 25 people or more.

In Anne Arundel County, restaurants and bars must reduce their capacities to 25 percent effective Friday, Nov. 20. Indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people and outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 people. Youth sports at all county facilities will be suspended indefinitely on Monday, Nov. 16.

In Baltimore City, outdoor and indoor gatherings at public and private facilities, private homes and any public spaces are limited to no more than 10 persons. Those with fire marshal certificates are allowed to open at no more than 25 percent capacity. Bars that are not licensed for food services are not permitted to open. Food service establishments must close indoor dining at 10 p.m. Face coverings are required for all over age 2.

In Baltimore County, bars and restaurants will be required to close at midnight daily. Social gatherings will be limited to 10 people inside and 25 people outside. Youth recreational indoor and outdoor sports that are organized through the county will be prohibited Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Harford County suspended organized activities at county parks until further notice, effective Friday, Nov. 13. Modified service will be in place for Harford Transit, and county-run government buildings are closed.

Montgomery County on Tuesday, Nov. 10, began limiting public gatherings to 25 people, capping indoor dining at 25 percent, and requiring food service establishments to keep a daily record of all dining patrons for contact tracing purposes.

In Prince George's County, masks are now required anytime people leave their house and are not practicing vigorous exercise. Restaurants and bars must reduce their indoor operating capacities to 25 percent. They may have half-capacity service outside. Indoor gatherings will be limited 10 people or one person per 200 square feet of space, and outdoor gatherings are capped at 25 visitors or one person per 200 square feet of space, whichever is lower.

In the past day, 20 more people have been admitted to intensive care units at hospitals in Maryland, state health data showed Sunday.

A concern about the surge in hospitalizations related to the virus drove the governor this week to activate alternate care sites in the event that hospitals become overwhelmed with patients.

As of Sunday, the coronavirus positivity rate is 6.57 percent, an increase of 0.41 and the highest it has been since late May.

Here is a look at Maryland's coronavirus data as of Sunday, Nov. 15:

See Also:

• MD Coronavirus Case Count: 'Largest Daily Increase' To Date
• MD Sets Record With 1,869 New COVID Cases: Hogan