MD Sees Decrease In Coronavirus Cases, Hospitalizations

MARYLAND — Maryland saw a slight drop in daily coronavirus cases on Thursday after recording more than 700 new infections each day for the last two days.

The state's health department added 648 confirmed cases overnight, bringing the total number of confirmed illnesses to 75,664.

Meanwhile, six more people have died from COVID-19. That pushes the state's death toll to 3,215, data shows.

The fatality count does not include the 132 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 official total until the cause of death can be confirmed.

Gov. Larry Hogan noted on Wednesday that hospitalizations and cases increased, and sent a letter to county leaders to warn that enforcement of public health requirements in bars and restaurants will be ramped up. State health officials have connected an increasing number of COVID-19 cases to Marylanders who are not following face covering and physical distancing rules.

The state requires:

• Bars and restaurants open for seated service only with physical distancing and capacity restrictions
  • Customers to be seated at least six feet apart from other guests
  • No standing and congregating in bar areas
• All staff to wear a face covering while working and interacting with customers
• Every other booth at a facility to be closed
• No more than six people at a table

Across Maryland, 436 people are currently hospitalized. That's a decrease of 11 patients overnight and marks the first drop in hospitalizations in three days. Over the past two days, hospitalization numbers were above 400.

Statewide, more than 872,830 people have been tested for the virus. To date, the test positivity rate is 4.61 percent.

Here's a closer look at some of the numbers:

Note: Figures with an asterisk (*) are "probable deaths."

Cases and Deaths by County

By Age Range and Gender

By Race and Ethnicity