Baltimore County Restricts Gatherings As Coronavirus Surges

TOWSON, MD — Due to a surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. has imposed restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of the virus in Baltimore County.

"We are at a crisis point," Olszewski said at a news conference Friday outside the Towson courthouse. "As cases have spiked nationwide and across Maryland, Baltimore County has also seen a significant increase in the rate of cases and our positivity rate."

The positivity rate has "skyrocketed" and is at 6.4 percent Friday, an increase of 129 percent since Oct. 23, according to the county executive. The World Health Organization has recommended a positivity rate of 5 percent to ensure adequate testing to detect who has the virus in a community.

The coronavirus case rate is 27.6 per 100,000 residents Friday in Baltimore County, which Olszewski said was an increase of 158 percent since Oct. 23.

When an area's case rate is greater than 25 per 100,000, community spread is out of control and may require measures to curb the infection, according to the Harvard Global Health Institute.

Those are not the only troubling numbers.

"Hospitalizations are at a staggering 120 percent increase since Oct. 23 and now [are at] the highest level in five months," Olszewksi said Friday.

"Much of the surge we are seeing can be attributed to a double whammy — colder weather pushing us into more poorly ventilated spaces where transmission thrives and residents allowing a false sense of safety to take over at casual gatherings like dinner parties, sleepovers and holiday get-togethers," Olszewski said.

As of 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, these restrictions will take effect in Baltimore County:

• Social gatherings will be limited to 10 people inside and 25 people outside.
• Bars and restaurants will be required to close at 12 a.m.

Limits on social gatherings apply to activities such as dinner parties, concerts or fundraisers.

They do not apply to business establishments or organizations covered under state orders such as child care centers, restaurants and churches.

Gatherings are "the places we are really seeing the spread happening," Olszewski said, noting the county's limits on gatherings and earlier bar closures coupled with the governor's order rolling back capacity to 50 percent at restaurants this week will address issues the data has shown to be risky.

These restrictions on youth sports will take effect Tuesday, Nov. 17:

• Baltimore County organized youth recreational indoor and outdoor sports will be prohibited until further notice.

While the focus had been on education rather than enforcement around masks, Olszewski said the county would not hesitate to take action such as closing establishments for violations of the orders.

“Our goal is to not have to take enforcement action," Olszewski said, "but our message is we will if we have to."

Baltimore County "crushed the curve" in issuing a mask order earlier this year before the state, the county executive said.

"Now that we're being pushed inside," Olszewski said, "we are once again at a critical point in this pandemic."

In Baltimore County, officials say 23,682 cases of the virus have been confirmed and 667 residents have died of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

"These are not numbers. These are our neighbors," Olszewski said.

Among those who have died are a teen with underlying conditions who passed away recently, according to Baltimore County Health and Human Services Director Gregory Wm. Branch.

"Going back to school we've definitely seen an increase in our youngsters getting COVID-19. We have not seen an increase in Baltimore County ... in the hospitalizations of our young folks," he said, but "we had another young person who had passed away from COVID-19."

A 15-year-old Baltimore County teen died in the spring from what was believed to be the coronavirus.

"Please be vigilant and wear your masks," Branch said.

During "what may be the most challenging period of our lives," Olszewski urged people to take care for their own safety and that of their neighbors.

"We hope that people take this seriously," Olszewski said, "so that we don't have to take additional actions in the days and the weeks ahead."

Watch the county executive's Nov. 13 news conference announcing public health actions

This is breaking news and may be updated.

See Also:

• Hogan Reduces Restaurant, Bar Capacity As Coronavirus Cases Spike
• 15-Year-Old Died From Coronavirus In Baltimore, Family Says