Maryland Coronavirus Positivity Rate Drops Below 4 Percent

MARYLAND — The coronavirus positivity rate in Maryland has dropped significantly since its post-holiday peak in early January, the governor reported Monday.

After people get tested for the coronavirus, the positivity rate measures the percentage of tests that come back positive.

The statewide positivity rate was 3.91 percent on a rolling seven-day average, officials reported Monday.

It is the first time the state's positivity rate dropped below 4 percent since Nov. 2, the governor's office reported. Maryland's positivity rate hit a recent high of 9.44 percent on Jan. 5, data shows.

“While we wait on the federal government to get us more vaccines, this is another encouraging indication that we are making real progress against this deadly pandemic," Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement. "While fewer Marylanders are becoming seriously ill, we need to keep taking precautions so that we can remain on the road to recovery.”

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Positivity rates should be at or below 5 percent for two weeks for an area to relax restrictions, according to the World Health Organization.

The rate has been below 5 percent on a rolling seven-day average in Maryland since Feb. 11, state health data shows.

In Maryland the rate is under 9 percent in all 24 jurisdictions, while it is also under 5 percent in 14 jurisdictions, according to state officials.

Here are the latest positivity rates by jurisdiction:

The state’s case rate is 12.4 per 100,000, officials said Monday, the lowest level since Oct. 28.

When an area exceeds 10 new cases per 100,000, community spread has accelerated and is at dangerous levels, according to the Harvard Global Health Institute. If the case rate is greater than 25 per 100,000, officials say community spread is out of control and may require measures to curb the infection.

MD Hits Milestones As Vaccination Ramps Up

In the past several days, the governor marked a few other milestones in the coronavirus fight:

• Registration opened for the M&T Bank Stadium mass vaccination site Monday. The site will open Thursday for vaccinations.
• Coronavirus-related hospitalizations in Maryland dropped below 1,000 Sunday for the first time since Nov. 16.
• Maryland has administered 1 million COVID-19 vaccines as of Friday, Feb. 19.

Providers in Maryland are giving an average of 27,604 shots per day, officials said Monday.

Health care providers, pharmacies and local health departments are vaccinating people. To find places offering eligible Marylanders the COVID-19 vaccine, visit covidvax.maryland.gov or call 211. All COVID-19 vaccinations are by appointment only.

Here's a look at coronavirus in Maryland as of Monday, Feb. 22: