Coronavirus Cases In Montgomery County Up By 9% Over Weekend

SILVER SPRING, MD — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Montgomery County increased by 593 — or by 9 percent — over the weekend, bringing its total to 6,909.

The state's most populous jurisdiction also recorded 29 more deaths since Friday, pushing the local fatality count to 353.

In recent weeks, the Maryland Department of Health began counting "probable deaths" — or deaths of individuals who likely were infected, but never tested. Previously, deaths were only counted if they tested positive for the disease.

As of Monday, there have been 35 "probable deaths" in Montgomery County, according to health officials.

Compared to all other jurisdictions in the state, Montgomery County 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 9,687.

In an effort to help those seriously ill patients, biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences announced it will be donating 1,600 doses of Remdesivir to hospitals in Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

Remdesivir is the only antiviral drug proven in a clinical study to shave several days off the recovery time of COVID-19 patients.

Statewide, 33,373 people have tested positive for the disease. That's an increase of 2,888 cases, or 9 percent, since Friday.

The state's death toll is now 1,573, according to the latest figures from the Maryland Department of Health. Another 110, health officials suspect, had COVID-19 but died without ever being tested.

In Maryland, 1,544 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that total, 585 are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Confirmed Infections, Deaths By County

A case count by jurisdiction can be found below. Montgomery County is outlined in bright blue.

Note: For the table below, a number with an asterisk represents a "probable death."

Case Count By ZIP Code

These are the ZIP codes with the highest coronavirus case counts in Maryland Monday, according to Kata Hall, spokeswoman for the governor:

• 1,170 cases — ZIP code 20783 (Prince George's County)
• 703 cases — ZIP code 20906 (Montgomery County)
• 647 cases — ZIP code 20706 (Prince George's County)
• 604 cases — ZIP code 20902 (Montgomery County)
• 550 cases — ZIP code 20904 (Montgomery County)
• 549 cases — ZIP code 20784 (Prince George's County)
• 520 cases — ZIP code 20782 (Prince George's County)
• 507 cases — ZIP code 21224 (Baltimore City/Baltimore County)
• 478 cases — ZIP code 21215 (Baltimore City/Baltimore County)
• 456 cases — ZIP code 20903 (Montgomery County)

Case Information For Montgomery County Employees

Testing Sites In Montgomery County

Montgomery County's newest COVID-19 testing site is now open at the Upcounty Regional Services Center in Germantown.

Other drive-thru test sites in Montgomery County are located in Wheaton and White Oak.

Here's what you need to know about the facility and testing process:

• It's not an on-demand testing site (appointments are required)
• To determine if you qualify for testing:
  • You must meet coronavirus testing criteria as determined by a licensed health care provider (the provider will fill out an online order for testing through Maryland's CRISP information system)
• Once the form is sent, you'll be given instructions on how to make an appointment online
• Bring your photo ID and appointment number to the testing site

More information about testing can be found here.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Symptoms of the new coronavirus can appear two to 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which lists the following as possible indicators of the illness: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell.

Health officials say most people with the virus will experience mild symptoms and can recover at home. People should call 911 and seek immediate medical attention if they have trouble breathing, bluish lips or face, new confusion or inability to arouse and/or persistent pain or pressure in the chest.

SEE ALSO:

• Virtual Graduation Planned For MCPS Class Of 2020
  
• MD Testing Coronavirus Drug In Montgomery County
• Montgomery Parks Reopens Tennis Courts, Campgrounds, Fishing
• MD Governor Eases Restrictions; Reopening From Coronavirus Ahead