Maryland added 212 new coronavirus cases Monday, the smallest daily case count since March 30, 2020 — about three weeks after the state recorded its first COVID-19 cases.
This time, it comes with 42.5% of Maryland’s population fully vaccinated against the disease, according to state health officials, and masking requirements lifted, except in particular locations and at the discretion of private businesses.
But in between March 30 and the present, the virus has taken an incredible toll on the state, infecting more than 456,000 Marylanders and killing more than 8,700.
Here’s where things stand as of Monday, according to the state Department of Health:
Cases
Since April 28, fewer than 1,000 coronavirus cases have been reported each day. The 14-day average tally of new cases continues to fall, sitting now around 500.
In a statement Monday, Gov. Larry Hogan cheered the state’s data.
“Today’s key health metrics show that, after a long, hard-fought battle, we are nearing the end of this pandemic as we finally see a light at the end of the tunnel,” Hogan said. “Those who have not yet been vaccinated are strongly advised to immediately do so.”
Monday, state health officials reported 10,918 new coronavirus tests. Over the past couple of Mondays, testing totals have ranged between 10,000 and 12,000, as Sunday tends to be one of the slower testing days.
In total, though, Maryland has recorded 456,216 coronavirus cases.
Deaths
Three more Marylanders were confirmed to have died from COVID-19 Monday.
The state’s death rate has been declining slowly as well. The two-week daily average sits around 11. Earlier this month, it hit 16. In the winter, it climbed as high as 44.
Dating back to last March, 8,740 people have died from the virus in the state.
Hospitalizations
The number of people hospitalized with the virus in Maryland increased by one person to 613, ending five straight days of declines.
But when May began, more than 1,000 people were hospitalized with the virus.
Positivity Rate
Maryland officials reported the state equaled its lowest ever COVID-19 seven-day positivity rate — 2.51% Monday.
The last time the positivity rate was this low was Sept. 24. It has never sunk lower.
Vaccinations
Some 25,529 more COVID-19 shots have been administered, state health officials said Monday.
That includes 9,106 people who received their first dose of the Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, and 15,485 people who received their second. It also includes 938 people who received the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Vaccinations by Age
About 83.2% of Marylanders 65-years-old and older have received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine.
Meanwhile, 69.6% of those between 50 and 64 have received one or two doses, 53.8% of those between 18 and 49 and 20.2% of those between 12 and 17 — the youngest cohort that’s eligible for vaccination.
Vaccinations by Race
Throughout the state’s vaccination effort, questions of equity have persisted, although disparities have eased. So far, 23.2% of shots with race data attached have gone to Black Marylanders, who make up 31.1% of the state population, according to U.S. Census data. White Marylanders, by comparison, have received 57.8% of shots, and make up 58.5% of the state population.
Hispanic and Latino Marylanders, who make up 10.6% of the state population, according to the Census, have received 7.1% of the shots with ethnicity data attached.
Vaccinations by County
At the beginning of the state’s vaccination effort, less populous counties along the Eastern Shore had the highest percentage of inoculated residents. In recent weeks, wealthier and more populous counties have surged ahead.
Howard County now has the highest vaccination rate, at 49.4%. But Talbot County on the Eastern Shore isn’t far behind with 48.3%. Then comes Montgomery County, with 46.6%.
