County Reports Uptick In COVID-19 Cases Since Labor Day Weekend

ROCKVILLE, MD — Montgomery County's top health official says he has seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases since the Labor Day holiday and the easing of restrictions in some parts of Maryland.

"Since the governor opened up for phase three across the state and other jurisdictions, and since Labor Day, we've actually had four days that were over 100, or close to 100, cases in terms of testing positivity," County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles said Wednesday. "The numbers have been increasing in our jurisdiction and we're continuing to follow those trends."

According to county data, officials reported 121 new COVID-19 infections on Sept. 8, 119 on Sept. 9, 98 on Sept. 10, and 101 on Sept. 11.

Gayles said a relaxation in behavior, such as social distancing and wearing face masks, are partially to blame for the uptick in cases, along with the travel and family gatherings that took place over the holiday weekend.

"Particularly around the holiday season, we know that it is not an uncommon time for families and close networks to get together. And we know that when we're in those settings, there is a tendency, unfortunately, to relax and let down our guard a little bit. That makes it easier for the virus to transmit if we are not wearing our face coverings ... and not observing and adhering to those physical guidelines," Gayles said.

Montgomery County, which has the second highest number of cases after Prince George's County, is one of the few jurisdictions that did not move into phase three earlier this month. The county has been in phase two of its reopening plan since mid-June.

Virtually all businesses can reopen under Gov. Larry Hogan's phase three plan. Gayles said it poses challenges for the county when people travel to other places with fewer restrictions.

"It does create some challenges when folks are able to travel to other places where there are less restrictions in place," he said, adding that people might be coming into contact with the virus and bringing it back to the county.

There is no official timeline for phase three in Montgomery County.

In order to move into phase three, Gayles said he must see low or medium levels of transmission — or 10 to 35 cases a day.

Aside from occasional spikes in new infections (as high as 171) over the last two months, daily cases have plateaued in the 70s and 80s.