Coronavirus Deaths Slow To Lowest Rate Since March: Governor

MARYLAND — Three people have died from the coronavirus in Maryland in the past day, state officials reported Monday, as both the rate of infections and virus-related deaths are slowing.

"Maryland’s key COVID-19 metrics continue to trend in a positive direction," Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement Monday morning.

Day-to-day increases in the number of confirmed cases of the virus in Maryland have declined, even as more than 200 sites statewide are testing people for the coronavirus.

"The state is reporting 272 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19," Hogan reported Monday, which he said was "the lowest number since March 22."

On a single day in May, more than 1,700 people tested positive for the virus in Maryland. Now, confirmed daily cases are down more than 1,500 from the state's peak.

While the number of positive cases is slowing, so too is the rate at which people are dying from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

From Sunday to Monday, three people lost their lives in Maryland to COVID-19, the lowest increase in the death toll since March 31, according to the governor's office. One month ago — on June 6 — the day-to-day increase in deaths was 36; and on May 6, there were 48 people who had died in the last 24 hours from the virus, according to state health data.

As Maryland works to contain the spread of the virus, officials say testing is critical. Those who know they have the virus will be able to modify their behavior accordingly, such as by staying at home and away from vulnerable populations.

The statewide positivity rate is 4.51 percent on a rolling, seven-day average, which Hogan reported Monday was also a new low.

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In alignment with national trends, the under-35 age group in Maryland is testing positive at a higher rate than others.

The positivity rate among Marylanders under 35 stands at 6.06 percent, according to officials, who said Monday the positivity rate for Marylanders age 35 and older was 3.83 percent.

Maryland has set a desired threshold for each jurisdiction to test 10 percent of its population.

As of Monday, Hogan said Baltimore County became the 11th jurisdiction in Maryland to meet that benchmark.

According to the governor, this is how the state’s most populous jurisdictions rank when it comes to percent of population tested:

• Baltimore City: 11.6 percent
• Prince George’s County: 10.2 percent
• Baltimore County: 10 percent
• Montgomery County: 9.6 percent
• Howard County: 9.2 percent

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

Coronavirus in Maryland: A Snapshot

Here is a look at Maryland's coronavirus numbers as of Monday, July 6:

MD Coronavirus Hospitalizations, Deaths

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Jurisdiction

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Age And Gender

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Race And Ethnicity