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WASHINGTON (WMAL) – While Maryland’s COVID-19 positivity rate fell to a low of 3.90 percent Friday, Virginia has seen a major increase in cases due to a backlog of data.

According to a press release from Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s office, the state’s seven-day average positivity rate has fallen to the lowest level reported since the start of the pandemic. Total current hospitalizations are also down to 528.

At the same time, Virginia is reporting an increase of 2,015 new cases. This recent increase brought up the total cases in the commonwealth to 97,882.

However, the Virginia Department of Health said the spike is due to a backlog of data over the past two days. The department said it is not an actual spike in cases.

“Late Thursday, VDH’s Office of Information Management, which helps manage VDH’s COVID-19 databases, identified and rectified the technical issue, which was a system performance configuration,” VDH said in a release.

Statements from Hogan’s office and the Virginia Department of Health are available below.

MARYLAND

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced that Maryland’s statewide COVID-19 positivity rate has fallen below four percent for the first time, to 3.90%. Hospitalization metrics also declined slightly, with 528 current total hospitalizations and 135 ICU beds in use.

Statewide Positivity Rate Drops to 3.90%, Lowest On Record. The state’s seven-day average positivity rate has dropped to 3.90%—the first time under 4%, and the lowest level reported since the pandemic began. The daily positivity rate dropped to 3.23%. The state’s positivity rate has been under 5% since June 25, and is now more than 85% lower than its April 17 peak.

Total Current Hospitalizations Decline to 528. There are 528 total current COVID-19 hospitalizations—a decrease of 7 over the past 24 hours. There are 135 ICU beds in use—a decrease of 4.

Positivity Rate Declines in Major Jurisdictions, Montgomery County Falls to Record Low. The positivity rate declined today for Anne Arundel (3.38%), Baltimore City (5.15%), Baltimore County (5.00%), Frederick (1.38%), Harford (3.53%), Howard (3.15%), Montgomery (2.50%), and Prince George’s County (5.80%.) Baltimore City’s positivity rate has dropped to 5.00%, its lowest level since July 6—down 81.74% from its peak on April 19. Montgomery County’s positivity rate has fallen to a record low of 2.50%—down more than 92% from its peak on April 20.

State Health Officials Continue to Monitor Rising Positivity Rate in Worcester County. State health officials are currently monitoring the situation in Worcester County, where the positivity rate has risen by more than 93% since July 31, to 6.59%.

More Than One Million Marylanders Tested, 16.7% of Population. In total, Maryland has now conducted 1,377,459 COVID-19 tests, including 28,579 tests over the last 24 hours. 1,006,824 Marylanders have now been tested for COVID-19, representing 16.7% of the state’s population.

Positivity Rate Among Marylanders Over 35 at Record Low, Positivity Rate Among Marylanders Under 35 Declines to 5.35%. The positivity rate among Marylanders over 35 is down to a record low 3.19%. The positivity rate among Marylanders under 35 has begun to decline, and is now at 5.35%.

215 COVID-19 Testing Sites Available. Marylanders can plan to be tested at one of 215 testing sites by visiting COVIDtest.maryland.gov.

VIRGINIA

Sharp Increase in COVID-19 Data for August 7 Due to Data Backlog From Previous Two Days

Today, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced that the COVID-19 data numbers that will be posted on Friday, August 7 will contain a significant increase due to a data backlog from earlier in the week.

Today’s data will indicate 2,015 new cases.  This figure includes information that should have been reported on Wednesday and Thursday of this week as well as the regular numbers for Friday.

Late Thursday, VDH’s Office of Information Management, which helps manage VDH’s COVID-19 databases, identified and rectified the technical issue, which was a system performance configuration.

To follow the number of new cases by day of symptom onset, please refer to the graph, “Number of Cases by Date of Symptom Onset.”

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-daily-dashboard/

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