White House Coronavirus Official On Baltimore: 'We Are Concerned'

MARYLAND — The coronavirus positivity rate has declined in several jurisdictions, according to the Maryland Department of Health. However, as the governor and state health officials tout progress, White House Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx this week reportedly issued a warning to several cities nationwide, including Baltimore.

"We are concerned that both Baltimore and Atlanta remain at a very high level," Birx said. Portland, Kansas City and Omaha were in similar situations, she added, as well as the Central Valley in California, according to a recording of the call with state and local leaders obtained by the Center for Public Integrity.

In addition to those listed above, Birx urged Boston, Chicago, Detroit and Washington, D.C., to "get on top of" their positivity rates, the Center for Public Integrity reported.

Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa has stated before that there were pockets of the city with higher rates of people testing positive. In the 21224 ZIP code — which includes Canton, Highlandtown and Patterson Park — Dzirasa said in late July the positivity rate had been as high as 22 percent.

Responding to the comments by Birx, the city's health commissioner told The Baltimore Sun: "I have concerns as well." New restrictions around large gatherings were designed to address those, according to Dzirasa.

Indoor gatherings are limited to 25 people or 25 percent of the capacity of a space, whichever is the lesser, according to an order reopening restaurants issued Friday by Baltimore Mayor "Jack" Young. It decreases dining capacity but allows dining indoors, which was banned two weeks ago.

As of 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, restaurants could allow indoor dining up to 25 percent capacity. Service must end at 10 p.m. inside, the order says. Buffets are not allowed; customers must all be seated; nobody may be served beverages if they are not also eating; and staff is required to clean and disinfect tables and seating between uses. All staff and patrons must wear face coverings, except when eating or drinking, which is in alignment with the state's order on masking.

On Friday, Gov. Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Health announced progress on several fronts, one week after the statewide mask order took effect. The positivity rate among those under 35 years old is 5.35 percent — meaning it is starting to decline, as Hogan said it was 5.66 percent Wednesday. Meanwhile, those older than 35 are testing positive at a record-law rate of 3.19 percent, according to the governor.

In central Maryland jurisdictions, including Baltimore, he said, positivity rates were going down. For example, Baltimore City was at 5.5 percent positivity Wednesday and 5.15 percent Friday. Baltimore County was at 5.42 percent positivity Wednesday and 5 percent Friday, according to state health data.

The Maryland Department of Health reported Friday that statewide there were 93,806 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 3,429 deaths from COVID-19, the disease caused by virus.

For the latest developments on the coronavirus in Maryland, get Patch news alerts.

More than 220 testing sites statewide are checking people for COVID-19.

Coronavirus in Maryland: A Snapshot

Here is a look at Maryland's coronavirus numbers as of Friday, Aug. 7:

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Jurisdiction

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Age And Gender

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Race And Ethnicity

Symptoms Of Coronavirus

Contracting the coronavirus can result in mild to severe illness. Older adults and those with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart or lung disease, are the most at risk of complications from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These symptoms of coronavirus can appear two to 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Those who have trouble breathing, feel persistent pain or pressure in the chest, experience new confusion, have the inability to wake or stay awake or have bluish lips or face should get medical attention immediately, federal health officials say.

To prevent getting the illness, authorities advise staying away from those who are sick, keeping 6 feet of distance between yourself and others, washing hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and wearing a cloth face covering when around others.

See Also:

• Surgeon General Tours Baltimore Coronavirus Field Hospital
• Baltimore Mayor Eases Restrictions On Indoor Dining, Gatherings
• MD Sees 2nd Day Of Record-Low Coronavirus Positivity Rates
• Baltimore Restricts Indoor Dining As Virus Spreads
• MD Adds Travel Advisory, Masking Order To Curb Coronavirus Spread