Coronavirus Cases In Montgomery Co. Hit 12,968; Deaths Total 628

ROCKVILLE, MD — The Maryland Health Department on Tuesday reported eight more coronavirus deaths and 150 new cases in Montgomery County, bringing the local death toll to 628 and the total number of cases to 12,968.

Another 39, health officials believe, had COVID-19 but died before ever being tested. "Probable deaths" aren't included in the official fatality count until they are confirmed by a laboratory test.

Montgomery County — Maryland's most populous jurisdiction — has 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 16,636, according to the latest figures.

The two hard-hit counties opted out of reopening with the rest of the state last month because the number of cases, deaths, and hospitalizations were not plateauing. They both entered phase one of their respective reopening plans on June 1.

Most parts of the state reopened on May 15, after Gov. Larry Hogan said he saw a 14-day decline in cases and hospitalizations.

As of Tuesday, Maryland has 58,904 confirmed coronavirus cases and 2,686 deaths. The virus, health officials say, may have killed another 125 people, but a lab test is needed to confirm their cause of death.

Of the 970 people currently hospitalized in Maryland, 386 are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Here's how many cases have been recorded in each county, as of Tuesday. Montgomery County is outlined in bright blue:

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has not released a plan for phase two of reopening, saying he will not move forward until he sees more improvements in local health metrics. To date, the county has met seven of its nine benchmarks to begin reopening.