Two more deaths attributed to COVID-19 were reported Wednesday, bringing to 192 the number of coronavirus-related fatalities in Carroll County, according to the health department.
One of those who died was an over-65 resident at Brinton Woods, an elder care facility in Sykesville. The other fatality was an over-65 member of the wider community.
The Brinton Woods resident was the 14th COVID-19 fatality at the facility. It brought to 154 the number of residents at Carroll’s congregate living facilities who have died of the virus. Thirteen congregate living facilities and two correctional facilities have active outbreaks, according to the Carroll County Health Department website, with Sun Valley in Sykesville joining the county list.
There have been 38 community deaths, 17 in the past two months.
Health department data showed 60 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, eight congregate living facility cases and 52 community members, making 172 total cases this week. The case rate per 100,000 in Carroll County, reported as a seven-day rolling average, dropped slightly to 34.52.
Two staff members and two residents at Lorien Taneytown, two staff members and one resident at Sun Valley, and one staff member at Carroll Lutheran Village make up the eight facility cases.
Carroll County Breaking News
Due to probable cases being confirmed and data reconciliation, previous numbers were also updated. The revised weekly totals of new cases show a record-high of 428 (the week of Dec. 13), with 353 the following week and 335 last week.
Additionally, there were 35 new probable cases, making a total of 915. The probable cases stem from Carroll countians who tested positive using a rapid antigen test, rather than a molecular test like those offered at state-run testing sites. The health department doesn’t consider these results to be confirmed cases.
Carroll’s positivity rate, also reported as a seven-day rolling average, jumped to 8.38%, but still below the state’s current average of 9.44%.
There were no new hospitalizations reported by the health department, so the county’s total number of community hospitalizations for COVID-19 since the pandemic began held at 305.
Of the 4,370 community members who have tested positive in Carroll, 146 are younger than 10 years old; 471 are in the 10-19 range; 809 are 20-29 years old; 606 are 30-39; 639 are 40-49; 834 are 50-59; 514 are 60-69; 233 are 70-79; 101 are 80-89; and 17 are in their 90s. Women have accounted for 2,268 of the positive tests, and men for 2,102.
Of Carroll’s 5,388 total COVID-19 cases, Westminster has seen the most with 1,810 across two ZIP codes, followed by Sykesville/Eldersburg with 1,418, Mount Airy with 457, Hampstead with 369, Manchester with 365, Taneytown with 295, Finksburg with 274, New Windsor with 125, Woodbine with 84, Marriottsville with 78, Union Bridge with 56, and Keymar with 45. Data is not released in ZIP codes with seven cases or fewer.
Anyone who thinks they or a family member might be showing coronavirus symptoms can call the hotline between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 410-876-4848, or contact their doctor. After hours, callers may leave a message or call 211. People with emergencies should continue to call 911.