5 Maryland Counties Are In CDC's High COVID Risk Category

MARYLAND — Maryland's positive test rate for COVID-19 is currently trending upward, according to recent data from the Mayo Clinic.

The state’s positivity rate was 12 percent as of Saturday, nearly six times higher than two months ago — a reminder that the coronavirus is still with us and caution should still be taken to minimize its spread.

As of Tuesday, 511 people were hospitalized in Maryland with COVID-19. Within the last 24 hours, the Maryland Department of Health reported five additional deaths and 2,368 more confirmed cases.

About 4,256,594 Maryland residents have been fully vaccinated as of May 13, 2022. Almost 43 percent of all confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland since January 2021 have been among fully vaccinated people, state health officials said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified five counties in Maryland where community spread was highest.

The agency compiled the list of the counties with the highest spread from case rates, hospital admissions and staffed inpatient beds per 100,000 people per county.

Here are the five counties currently considered "high risk":

• Anne Arundel County
• Baltimore City
• Baltimore County
• Howard County
• Kent County

According to the CDC, these 14 counties currently have a "medium risk" for COVID-19:

• Allegany County
• Calvert County
• Carroll County
• Cecil County
• Charles County
• Dorchester County
• Garrett County
• Harford County
• Montgomery County
• Prince George's County
• Somerset County
• St. Mary's County
• Wicomico County
• Worcester County

Currently, 22 percent of the counties that make up Maryland are considered "low risk" for COVID-19. They are:

• Caroline County
• Frederick County
• Queen Anne's County
• Talbot County
• Washington County

If you live in a Maryland county deemed a COVID hot spot, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public, staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, and getting tested if you have symptoms.

According to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms include:

• 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

In Maryland, there is no statewide mask mandate in place. In February, Gov. Larry Hogan also called on the State Board of Education to rescind its school mask policy.

The recent rise in COVID-19 cases, however, has led to at least one college to once again require students and staff members to mask up, WBAL-TV reported. The Community College of Baltimore County reinstated its face mask mandate at all three of its campuses last month.