Coronavirus In Montgomery County: 4,300 Cases, 229 Deaths

ROCKVILLE, MD — Confirmed coronavirus cases in Montgomery County ticked up by 148 on Thursday, to 4,300, while the number of people who have died from the disease rose by 11, bringing the local death toll to 229.

Those numbers are expected to grow as more testing becomes available, health officials say.

COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and has since infected more than 3,224,000 people and killed more than 228,900 around the world, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.

Don't miss updates about the new coronavirus in Maryland. Get Patch news alerts.

In Maryland, there are 21,742 positive infections and 1,047 deaths.

Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has directed the Maryland Secretary of State to lower the state flag to half-staff for those who have died from COVID-19.

"Today, our state marks a solemn milestone — more than 1,000 Marylanders have lost their lives to COVID-19. I have ordered flags lowered to half-staff to commemorate their lives and to honor their memories. They will never be forgotten," Hogan said on Thursday.

Despite crossing a grim milestone, a majority of people will exhibit mild to moderate symptoms — such as fever, fatigue, and dry cough — and can recover at home, according to state health officials. Even so, they still say residents should take the virus seriously.

Statewide, 92,617 people have tested negative for the disease, 1,432 have been released from isolation, and 1,711 are currently hospitalized.

Case Count By ZIP Code

In an effort to better understand where the virus hits hardest, the state has begun posting COVID-19 cases by ZIP code on its coronavirus page.

These are the ZIP codes with the highest coronavirus case counts in Maryland Thursday:

• 602 cases — ZIP code 20783 (Prince George's County)
• 424 cases — ZIP code 20906 (Montgomery County)
• 386 cases — ZIP code 20706 (Prince George's County)
• 379 cases — ZIP code 20904 (Montgomery County)
• 363 cases — ZIP code 20902 (Montgomery County)
• 359 cases — ZIP code 21215 (Baltimore/Baltimore City)
• 330 cases — ZIP code 20784 (Prince George's County
• 300 cases — ZIP code 20782 (Prince George's County)
• 287 cases — ZIP code 20785 (Prince George's County)
• 263 cases — ZIP code 21228 (Baltimore County)

Testing Sites In Montgomery County

Montgomery County's newest COVID-19 testing site is now open at the Upcounty Regional Services Center in Germantown.

Other drive-thru test sites in Montgomery County are located in Wheaton and White Oak.

Here's what you need to know about the facility and testing process:

• It's not an on-demand testing site (appointments are required)
• To determine if you qualify for testing:
  • You must meet coronavirus testing criteria as determined by a licensed health care provider (the provider will fill out an online order for testing through Maryland's CRISP information system)
• Once the form is sent, you'll be given instructions on how to make an appointment online
• Appointments will be confirmed and an ID number will be provided
• Bring your photo ID and appointment number to the testing site

More information about testing can be found here.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Symptoms of the new coronavirus can appear two to 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which lists the following as possible indicators of the illness: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.

Health officials say most people with the virus will experience mild symptoms and can recover at home. People should call 911 and seek immediate medical attention if they have trouble breathing, bluish lips or face, new confusion or inability to arouse and/or persistent pain or pressure in the chest.

SEE ALSO:

• MD's New Unemployment Claims Surpass 387K Amid Coronavirus Crisis
• Ride On Service To End At Midnight Every Day: Coronavirus
• Clarksburg Boy Details Coronavirus School Struggle In Parody Song
• Nursing Home 'Outrage', Unemployment Glitches: Hogan Updates
• County Mailing Coronavirus Stimulus Checks To Low-Income Families