County Coronavirus Deaths Reach 790, Cases Exceed 20.8K: Sept. 9

BETHESDA, MD — Confirmed coronavirus cases in Montgomery County increased by 72 — or 0.34 percent — to 20,838, the Maryland Department of Health announced Wednesday.

One new death was recorded in the last 24 hours. That brings the local fatality count to 790. Another 39, health officials believe, likely had COVID-19 but died without ever getting tested. They are classified as "probable deaths" — and won't be added to the official fatality count until a lab test can confirm the cause of death.

Marc Elrich on Friday opted to keep the county in phase two of its reopening plan. The county executive has typically moved through his reopening phases at a slower pace than most of Maryland.

"Montgomery County's current case count is higher than it was when the county entered Phase 2 several months ago," officials said in a statement last week. "Daily case counts in late June when the county entered Phase 2 averaged 67 cases per day."

In recent weeks, the number of daily infections in the county has hovered in the 70s and 80s, according to data released by the Maryland Department of Health. In some instances — like on Tuesday, July 7, Saturday, July 25, and Monday, Sept. 7 — cases bounced around the 140s and 170s.

Although the county didn't move forward, Elrich said he has eased certain coronavirus-related restrictions under phase two.

Now, indoor and outdoor restaurants can host live performances. The restrictions: patrons can't dance or gather in front of the performers.

"Although we will not be moving into Phase 3, we will continue to evaluate areas where restrictions might be modified," Elrich said Friday. "Allowing live music with restrictions at restaurants is an example of the cautious steps that we are taking toward reopening; and we will work on appropriate guidance for other live venues beyond what we're doing for restaurants."

Statewide, all businesses are allowed to reopen (unless city or county leaders, like Elrich, say otherwise). Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, and Prince George's County — for instance —are still in phase two.

Across Maryland, there have been 113,575 coronavirus cases, 3,672 confirmed deaths, and 144 "probable deaths." Of the 370 patients being hospitalized, 95 are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).