No MD COVID Deaths Recorded For First Time In 8 Months

MARYLAND — No COVID-19 deaths were reported in Maryland for the first time in eight months during the pandemic, Gov. Larry Hogan's office said Sunday. More than 6.6 million COVID vaccinations have been given statewide to date.

"If you have not yet been vaccinated, get your shot as soon as possible," Hogan tweeted.

In total, 9,490 Marylanders have died from the respiratory virus, according to the state's dashboard. There were 150 patients hospitalized with COVID on Sunday, down 88 percent since mid-April.

State officials said new COVID cases dropped under 50 for the first time since March 23, 2020. The state reported 42 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.

The positivity rate has fallen ;to a record low 0.72 percent ;— down 88 percent since mid-April.

Hospitalizations are at their lowest level since March 27, 2020.

More than 6.6 million vaccines doses have been administered in the state — more than 73 percent of Maryland adults have received at least one dose, according to the state's COVID-19 dashboard.

To get vaccinated — and be eligible for the state’s $2 million VaxCash Promotion — visit covidvax.maryland.gov, or call 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829). The call center is available seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The COVID state of emergency in Maryland will end on July 1, after being in place since March 5, 2020.

"We've been through so much through these past 15 months, but just look at how far we've come together to reach this hopeful point," said Hogan at a news conference June 15.

Masks and face coverings will no longer be required in any setting, including in schools or camps, though businesses will still be permitted to set their own mask requirements. There will be a grace period to help people transition out of the pandemic, Hogan said, including an additional 45 days to renew drivers licenses.

"While the end of the State of Emergency is an important step in our recovery from COVID-19, it does not mean that this virus and the variants no longer pose any threat," said Hogan at the news conference. "If you are vaccinated, you are safe, but those who are not vaccinated will continue to be at risk."

Hogan said there is no excuse to not get a COVID-19 vaccine.

To encourage residents to get vaccinated, Hogan launched a lottery program in May. Every day, a vaccinated resident is chosen at random to receive $40,000. On July 4, someone will be chosen for the $400,000 prize. The prize money adds up to $2 million.

As more Marylanders are being vaccinated and need shifts, mass vaccination sites are closing to make way for more community-based clinics, Hogan said earlier this month.

Find those closure dates here:

Now Closed

• Greenbelt Metro FEMA Community Vaccination Center
• Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen
• Hagerstown Premium Outlets (the site moved to Meritus Hospital June 5)
• Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

Pending Closures

• Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf; last day of state operation: June 24
• M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore City; last day of state operation: July 2
• Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis; Johnson & Johnson will be offered through July 3, the last day of state operation
• The Mall in Columbia; Johnson & Johnson will be offered from June 4 to July 3, the last day of state operation
• Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, Johnson & Johnson will be offered from June 8 to July 3, the last day of state operation is July 17

These mass vaccination sites are remaining open:

• Montgomery College (Pfizer, Moderna), 20200 Observation Dr., Germantown

Walk-up clinics vary. Visit montgomerycountymd.gov/COVID19/vaccine/Germantown.html for regular updates.

• Maryland State Fairgrounds (Pfizer), 2200 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium

Walk-up clinics vary. Visit baltimorecountymd.gov/vaccine for regular updates.

• Frederick County (Moderna), 800 Oak St., Frederick

Walk-up clinics vary. Visit marylandvax.org for regular updates.

• Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital (Pfizer), 1 W Pratt St., Baltimore; Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, for Baltimore City residents only

*Note that walk-ups will not be offered at these sites on the days of large sporting events.

Related: MD Paying $2M In Prizes To Select Vaccinated Residents