Montgomery County Surpasses 5,500 Coronavirus Cases: May 5

SILVER SPRING, MD — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Montgomery County surpassed 5,500 on Tuesday, according to Maryland health officials, while the death toll from the disease has topped 290.

As the state's most populous jurisdiction, Montgomery County now has a total of 5,541 cases. That's an increase of 157 positive infections from the previous day.

The county's death toll now stands at 292. A day earlier, it was 274.

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In recent weeks, the state 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 Tuesday morning, there have been 28 "probable deaths" in Montgomery County.

Compared to the state's other jurisdictions, Montgomery County has the highest number of deaths. It also has the second highest number of confirmed cases, after Prince George's County, which has 7,831.

Across the state, 27,117 people have tested positive for the new coronavirus — an increase of 709 in the past day.

To date, the virus has killed 1,290 people in Maryland. A day earlier, the death toll stood at 1,216.

Health officials are now recording 100 "probable deaths."

Maryland reported its first three coronavirus cases on March 5. Since then, 112,986 people have tested negative for the disease and 1,810 have been released from isolation.

Currently, 1,693 people are hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that total, 573 are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Before the state can begin easing restrictions, Gov. Larry Hogan said hospitalizations, ICU patients, and deaths from the illness must trend down over a 14-day period.

Case Count By ZIP Code

These are the ZIP codes with the highest coronavirus case counts in Maryland Tuesday:

• 890 cases — ZIP code 20783 (Prince George's County)
• 576 cases — ZIP code 20906 (Montgomery County)
• 508 cases — ZIP code 20706 (Prince George's County)
• 479 cases — ZIP code 20902 (Montgomery County)
• 465 cases — ZIP code 20904 (Montgomery County)
• 444 cases — ZIP code 20784 (Prince George's County)
• 416 cases — ZIP code 20782 (Prince George's County)
• 415 cases — ZIP code 21215 (Baltimore County/Baltimore City)
• 367 cases — ZIP code 20785 (Prince George's County)
• 354 cases — ZIP code 21224 (Baltimore City)

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Age And Gender

Based on the latest figures from state health officials, more people between the ages of 40 and 49 have tested positive for COVID-19 than any other age group. The total: 4,841.

Other age groups affected by the virus include:

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Race And Ethnicity

COVID-19 appears to be infecting and killing black people in Maryland at disproportionately higher rates.

Out of 27,117 cases, African Americans account for 34.7 percent of positive infections and 40.3 percent of confirmed deaths.

According to the latest Census data, African Americans make up 30.9 percent of the state's population. Maryland is home to more than 6,000,000 people.

Here's the case count by race and ethnicity:

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 facilities 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
• Appointments will be confirmed and an ID number will be provided
• Bring your photo ID and appointment number to the testing site

More information about testing can be found here.