Hospitalizations Dip, Coronavirus Testing Surges In MD: Officials

Elizabeth Janney
Updated ·4 min read

MARYLAND — The number of hospitalized coronavirus patients in Maryland is the lowest it has been since the state began providing hospitalization data in late April. As of Thursday morning, the Maryland Department of Health reported 1,374 people were hospitalized with the virus, down 36 from the day before. Of those hospitalized, officials said 526 were on the intensive care unit (ICU), the lowest number since April 23, four weeks ago.

So far the state has reported 176,702 negative test results, an increase of 3,695 since the previous day.

The number of overall tests is likely to surge with the increase in appointment-free testing, which state health officials are rolling out at the Maryland State Fairgrounds Thursday. Within a little more than an hour, Baltimore County officials reported the site had reached capacity.

The Glen Burnie and Hyattsville VEIP stations will offer appointment-free testing Friday, and one in Clinton is expected to open next week.

With the addition of 1,208 new confirmed cases in the past day, the Maryland Department of Health is reporting Thursday morning that 43,531 people statewide have tested positive for the new coronavirus.

A total of 2,045 Marylanders have died from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, officials reported Thursday morning. An additional 114 have COVID-19 listed as a cause of death on their death certificates, authorities say, but test results are pending.

In congregate living facilities, 1,131 residents and 12 staff have died from the virus, meaning they make up nearly 56 percent of the coronavirus-related deaths in the state, according to data released Thursday by the Maryland Department of Health.

Since the first confirmed cases of the virus in Maryland on March 5, authorities report 7,485 people have been hospitalized due to COVID-19. Officials say 3,099 Marylanders have been released from isolation after having the virus.

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Coronavirus in Maryland: A Snapshot

Here is a look at Maryland's coronavirus numbers as of Thursday, May 21:

Courtesy of Maryland Department of Health.
Courtesy of Maryland Department of Health.
Table by Patch. Source: Maryland Department of Health.
Table by Patch. Source: Maryland Department of Health.

Case Count By ZIP Code

These are the ZIP codes with the highest coronavirus case counts in Maryland Thursday:

  • 1,605 cases — ZIP code 20783 (Prince George's County)

  • 999 cases — ZIP code 20906 (Montgomery County)

  • 866 cases — ZIP code 20706 (Prince George's County)

  • 823 cases — ZIP code 20902 (Montgomery County)

  • 751 cases — ZIP code 20784 (Prince George's County)

  • 728 cases — ZIP code 20904 (Montgomery County)

  • 725 cases — ZIP code 21224 (Baltimore City/Baltimore County)

  • 704 cases — ZIP code 20782 (Prince George's County)

  • 630 cases — ZIP code 20903 (Montgomery County)

  • 610 cases — ZIP code 20737 (Prince George's County)

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Jurisdiction

Courtesy of Maryland Department of Health.
Courtesy of Maryland Department of Health.

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Age And Gender

Courtesy of Maryland Department of Health.
Courtesy of Maryland Department of Health.

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Race And Ethnicity

Courtesy of Maryland Department of Health.
Courtesy of Maryland Department of Health.

Coronavirus At Group Living Facilities

Data about coronavirus at congregate living facilities is updated weekly on Wednesdays.

Testing Sites Across The State

CVS will begin offering self-swab coronavirus tests at 17 locations Friday in Maryland. They are in areas that are socially vulnerable, according to an index created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based on factors such as high-density housing and lack of access to transportation.

People have to schedule an appointment in advance at CVS.com starting Friday, May 22.

The state is expanding coronavirus testing to include those without symptoms and at sites that do not require appointments. See a list of testing sites in Maryland.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Symptoms of the new coronavirus can appear two to 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which lists the following as possible indicators of the illness: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.

The CDC has an online self-checker tool for those concerned they may have the virus.

Health officials say most people with the virus will experience mild symptoms and can recover at home. Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, according to the CDC.

People should call 911 and seek immediate medical attention if they have trouble breathing, bluish lips or face, new confusion or inability to arouse and/or persistent pain or pressure in the chest.

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This article originally appeared on the Baltimore Patch