MoCo Coronavirus Cases Top 10.7K As Residents Prepare To Reopen

ROCKVILLE, MD — The Maryland Health Department on Thursday reported seven more coronavirus deaths and 285 new cases in Montgomery County, bringing the local death toll to 542 and the total number of cases to 10,752.

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.

The county, which is home to roughly 1.1 million residents, 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 14,508, according to the latest figures.

Statewide, 49,709 people have tested positive for COVID-19 and 2,307 have died from the disease. The virus, health officials say, may have killed another 121 people, but a lab test is needed to confirm their cause of death.

Currently, 1,334 people are being hospitalized for COVID-19, according to state data. Of those, 511 are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Gov. Larry Hogan lifted his stay-at-home order on May 15, after saying he saw a 14-day downward trend in hospitalizations and deaths.

The Republican governor acknowledged that some parts of the state, like Montgomery County, were not ready to reopen, and let local jurisdictions decide when to lift their coronavirus restrictions.

For weeks, Elrich did not announce a reopening date, saying the county needed to focus less on a specific date and more on what had to be done to reopen safely. (Those reopening benchmarks can be found here).

But on Thursday, Elrich said the county has seen improvements in key health metrics and will be entering phase one of reopening on June 1.

Here's What Phase One Means:

• Retail establishments are curbside only
• Restaurants and bars with outdoor seating can reopen (curbside pick-up continues)
• Childcare can open for children of essential and phase one reopening employees
• Barbershops and hair salons must operate by appointment-only
• Car washes can do exterior cleaning only
• Manufacturing can fully reopen with precautions and guidance
• Outdoor day camps are limited to 9 children and 1 counselor
• Low-contact outdoor youth sports are allowed
• Golf courses, archery, shooting ranges, marinas, campgrounds, horseback riding facilities, and tennis courts are still open

What's Not Allowed Under Phase One:

• Swimming pools (licensing and inspection can be requested and conducted)
• Senior centers
• Fitness centers
• Movie theaters
• Shopping malls
• Nail salons