Coronavirus Cases Up By 0.38% As County Prepares For Phase Two

BETHESDA, MD — Montgomery County's coronavirus case count increased by 52 — or 0.38 percent — since Monday, bringing the total number of positive infections to 13,709.

The local death toll climbed by three, for a total of 658, according to state health officials. They are also reporting 40 "probable deaths" in the county, meaning the death certificate lists COVID-19 as a cause of death, but a laboratory test is still needed to confirm it.

The update comes less than 24 hours after the county announced it would enter phase two of reopening Friday night. Last week, it opted out of reopening with most of Maryland because it did not achieve its benchmarks for phase two.

As of Tuesday, the county has met six of its nine benchmarks to begin reopening.

To meet them, health officials say the county must see 14 days of fewer cases, deaths, hospitalizations, patients, and tests on a three-day rolling average. The data calculates a three-day rolling average because of potential outliers, like the occasional 24-hour spikes in the aforementioned metrics.

If progress continues to be made, the county will meet eight of its nine benchmarks by mid-week.

Across Maryland, health officials are reporting 62,409 confirmed cases and 2,851 deaths. The probable death toll now stands at 131.

Of the 742 coronavirus patients currently hospitalized in Maryland, 284 are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

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