Baltimore Adds Mask Order, Limits Gathering As Coronavirus Surges

BALTIMORE, MD — Amid a rise in coronavirus cases in the city and across the nation, Baltimore Health Commissioner Letitia Dzirasa issued a new mask order in Charm City.

"Over the past month, Baltimore City has seen our data trends move in the wrong direction," Dzirasa said.

In the past month, Dzirasa said the city has seen the following:

• New cases per day increased over 53 percent, with the city currently averaging 103 new coronavirus cases each day.
• Positivity Friday was 4.35 percent, with the latest seven-day average 3.5 percent, an increase of 41 percent from four weeks ago.
• The number of coronavirus patients in Baltimore City hospitals in ICU beds increased by 73 percent.
• Acute care beds occupied by coronavirus patients increased 64 percent from Oct. 2 to Nov. 2.

In Baltimore, officials said 19,065 cases of the coronavirus had been confirmed Saturday, Nov. 7; that is up 241 cases from Friday, when Dzirasa issued her statement.

"For months, we have warned about the possibility of a second wave and now we are seeing signs of it arriving," Dzirasa said of the coronavirus. "This data is alarming and requires action," Dzirasa said, announcing people must wear masks in public, even if they can maintain 6 feet of social distance.

"If you are in a public space, inside or outside," Dzirasa said, "you should be wearing a cloth face covering over your nose and mouth."

Mayor Bernard "Jack" Young is also reinstituting restrictions on gatherings.

"Today I'm announcing increased restrictions in Baltimore City that will go into effect next week," Young said Friday, Nov. 6. "I am instituting these restrictions for the public health and to save lives in Baltimore City."

As of 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, these restrictions will take effect in Baltimore:

• Outdoor and indoor gatherings at public and private facilities, private homes and any public spaces are limited to no more than 10 persons.
• Places with fire marshal certificates are allowed to open at no more than 25 percent capacity: Event venues, religious facilities, retailers, food service establishments, personal service establishments, indoor and outdoor recreational establishments, fitness centers, casinos, theaters and outdoor entertainment centers.
• Bars that are not licensed for food services are not permitted to open.
• Food service establishments must close indoor dining at 10 p.m.

"I know there is COVID fatigue, but now more than ever, I need residents to remain on guard," Young said.

"A lot of cases we are seeing are from indoor and family gatherings," Young continued, and the surge was "surpassing what we saw over the summer."

Officials reminded people that measures such as keeping 6 feet of distancing between people, wearing face masks, washing hands and staying home if sick were vital.

"Baltimore has been here before," Dzirasa said, noting limitations in August on gatherings were able to flatten the curve after infections began spreading in July.

"It is so tempting to want to relax," Dzirasa said. "Baltimore, none of us can afford to let our guard down."