On Monday afternoon, the Carroll County Health Department announced 202 new cases of COVID-19 over the past three days — more than the county saw in any full week of the coronavirus pandemic prior to mid-November.
And last week was the worst yet as Carroll saw 364 total cases. That was up significantly from the 270 cases seen the previous week and easily surpassed the previous high of 322 the week of Nov. 15.
Carroll County’s case rate per 100,000 jumped to 33.06. Of the 202 new cases, 77 are from this week, 124 from last week and one from two weeks ago.
No deaths were announced. Carroll has suffered 166 COVID-19 fatalities.
Congregate living facilities saw an increase of 31 cases — more than were reported in August, September and October combined — including 18 Springfield Hospital Center residents who tested positive, along with six Longview residents and one staff member, three Birch Manor staff members and two residents, and one resident at a facility with such small numbers that the health department doesn’t name it out of privacy concerns. Ten facilities have active outbreaks.
There were 171 new community cases reported, with 66 counting toward this week after a record 321 last week, 248 the previous week and 298 the week of Nov. 15. Of the 171 new cases, 17 were in the under-20 age group and 12 were among those 70 or over. The vast majority were found among the middle age groups, including a high of 45 among those in their 50s.
Carroll County Breaking News
Carroll’s positivity rate, reported as a seven-day rolling average, was at 6.56 on Sunday, the latest data available, down from 6.83 Saturday. The statewide rate fell slightly to 7.89%.
Carroll had 200 community members released from isolation, meaning at least 24 hours have passed since recovery (defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms) and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. To date, 2,622 have been declared cured.
There were 66 new hospitalizations reported, so 216 community members have been hospitalized in total. A health department spokesperson noted that there had not been 66 new hospital admissions for COVID-19 over the weekend, but rather that a lag in data was to blame.
A net of 14 new probable cases increased the total to 369 probables since the beginning of the pandemic. 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.
Of the 2,914 community members who have tested positive in Carroll, 90 are younger than 10 years old; 332 are in the 10-19 range; 571 are 20-29 years old; 390 are 30-39; 403 are 40-49; 567 are 50-59; 339 are 60-69; 147 are 70-79; 67 are 80-89; and eight are in their 90s. Women have accounted for 1511 of the positive tests, men for 1,403.
According to health department data, Carroll has confirmed 3,729 total cases. Westminster has seen the most with 1,293 across two ZIP codes, followed by Sykesville/Eldersburg with 940, Mount Airy with 356, Manchester with 251, Hampstead with 221, Taneytown with 205, Finksburg with 189, New Windsor with 81, Marriottsville with 58, Woodbine with 53, Keymar with 37, and Union Bridge with 35. 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.