Maryland reports low coronavirus case count, vaccination numbers after another snowstorm

Maryland health officials reported 903 new cases of the coronavirus Monday, and 23 more deaths caused by the disease.

It’s the smallest number of new cases reported in a day since early November. Last week, after heavy snowfall shuttered some testing sites, new case totals sunk to 905, but rose above 1,500 shortly thereafter.

A snowstorm struck the region again Sunday, leaving behind slick, slushy road conditions, which could have impacted the number of tests administered. About 22,800 tests were administered Sunday, compared to more than 40,000 daily tests administered over the past few days. Last Sunday, as snow fell around the region, more than 25,000 tests were administered.

The seven-day average testing positivity rate decreased slightly to 5.67% from 5.73%. It hasn’t been below 5% — a mark set by the World Health Organization outlining when communities could consider relaxing pandemic restrictions — since early November, but has inched close.

The number of people hospitalized because of COVID-19 increased slightly to 1,413 from 1,402. About 22.5% of those people were receiving treatment in intensive care units.

Some 6,030 new people received first doses of the vaccine, as reported Monday — the lowest total since Jan. 11. In addition, 3,622 people received their second doses.

The numbers in the wake of last week’s snowstorm were similar, with 6,252 new first doses administered Feb. 2.

So far, Talbot County is the Maryland jurisdiction with the highest percentage of its population receiving at least one dose — 14.83%. It’s followed closely by two other rural Eastern Shore counties: Kent and Worcester.

The smallest percentage of people have received at least one dose in populous Prince George’s County — 4.05%. Neighboring Montgomery County, which is more populous, has vaccinated 8.17% of its population.

This story will be updated.

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