Montgomery's Coronavirus Positivity Rate Drops; Cases Hit 14,675

ROCKVILLE, MD — Montgomery County on Monday recorded 68 new coronavirus infections and one additional fatality, bringing its total to 14,675 cases and 697 deaths.

There were 39 "probable deaths" in the county — or deaths that were linked to COVID-19 but never confirmed by a lab test.

Montgomery 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 18,505, according to the latest figures.

Statewide, health officials have recorded 67,254 positive infections, 447 confirmed deaths, and 127 "probable deaths."

Of the 447 patients being hospitalized for the disease, 160 are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

While Monday's additions show promise, Gov. Larry Hogan said Marylanders shouldn't become complacent — as that could lead to a spike in infections.

"I want to continue to stress to all Marylanders that the fight against this virus is far from over," said Hogan. "While our numbers continue to trend in a positive direction, we are seeing rapidly rising case numbers in states all across the country — and even on the other side of our state border in some nearby communities. It is vital that Marylanders remain vigilant, wear face coverings, wash their hands, and practice physical distancing so that we can continue on our road to recovery."

According to Hogan, the statewide positivity rate has dropped to a new low of 4.84 percent. A day earlier, the rolling seven-day average was 4.89 percent.

The positivity rate in Montgomery County is 6.52 percent. A day earlier, it was 6.82 percent.