County Reaches 19,325 Cases As Reopening Plan Stalls At Phase Two

ROCKVILLE, MD — Montgomery County on Friday recorded 61 new coronavirus infections and zero new fatalities, bringing its total to 19,325 cases and 775 deaths.

The latest fatality count does not include the 39 others whose deaths were linked to the virus, but never confirmed by a lab test. They are considered "probable deaths" — and will not be added to the fatality count until officials can confirm the cause of death.

The county 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 25,197, according to the latest figures.

Statewide, there have been 102,899 confirmed cases, 3,536 deaths, and 138 "probable deaths."

Of the 455 currently hospitalized for the virus, 102 are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Like Gov. Larry Hogan, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is waiting for COVID-19 data to improve before entering phase three of reopening. Hogan has given all 24 jurisdictions in the state discretion in deciding when and how to reopen their respective economies.

Here's what the county must do to get to phase three.