Coronavirus Cases Continue Increasing In Frederick County

But most  metrics remain low.                                                                                                                                  

 

 

Frederick, Md (KM) COVID-19 cases continue going up in Frederick County. The Health Department says as of Thursday afternoon, there are 3,532 cases of the coronavirus in the county. That’s an increase of 19 from Wednesday.

The number of deaths has remained at 118 for the past few days.

The seven-day positivity rate is 2.2%. That’s the percentage of patients who test positive for COVID-19 out of all those tested over a seven-day period

On its  COVID-19 computer dashboard, the Health has added the  seven-day average of new cases,  which is part of Governor Larry Hogan’s reopening plan. Officials say that if the rate reaches  or exceeds  10 case per 100,000 people, they may need to roll back Stage 3 of the reopening plan, which goes into affect on Friday, along with portions of Stage Two which went into affect a few months ago. Right now, that rate is 6 per 100,000 people.

Frederick County health officials say that the Maryland State Board of Education has issued guidance for local school systems on expanding in-person instruction in schools. If the positivity rate drops to below 5% and the seven-day average case rate drops to five or fewer per 100,000 residents. communities  can expand in-person classroom instruction for students.

Right now, Frederick County only meets the positivity rate requirement.

Frederick County Public School students are attending virtual classes through the end of the fall semester. The Board of Education says it will re-evaluate its decision later this year.

 

By Kevin McManus