Montgomery County Surpasses 800 COVID-19 Deaths

BETHESDA, MD — Montgomery County eclipsed 800 COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, making it the first jurisdiction in Maryland to reach that milestone, according to state data.

The death toll now stands at 801. Another 40 people, health officials say, may have died from COVID-19, but never got tested. A lab test must confirm an infection before a "probable death" can be added to the official fatality count.

Montgomery County, which is home to roughly 1.1 million people, continues to have the highest number of deaths in the state. It also has the second highest number of confirmed cases, after Prince George's County, which has 28,715, according to the latest figures.

As of Tuesday, there have been 21,933 confirmed coronavirus cases in Montgomery County. That's an increase of 56 infections overnight.

The county's test positivity rate is 2.29 percent. The state's rate is 2.65 percent.

Here's a closer look at the rate over the course of six months:

As of Tuesday, there have been 120,912 cases, 3,748 confirmed deaths, and 147 "probable deaths" statewide. Of the 309 people currently being hospitalized, 77 are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The latest data comes one day after restaurants in Maryland were allowed to increase their indoor dining capacities from 50 to 75 percent.

The easing of restrictions is part of Gov. Larry Hogan's multi-step plan for economic recovery. All 24 jurisdictions were allowed to enter the third and final phase of Hogan's reopening plan earlier this month.

Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County — however — stayed behind.