Baltimore County Has Medium Transmission Of COVID-19: CDC

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Transmission of COVID-19 in Baltimore County is classified as medium, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency updates its community transmission levels for each county across the country by 8 p.m. on Thursdays.

This week, 11 jurisdictions in Maryland including Baltimore County are classified as having medium transmission of COVID-19, while two jurisdictions — Howard and Garrett counties — have high transmission, according to the CDC. In areas of high transmission, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors.

In medium transmission areas, those who are not at high risk of infection due to age or immunocompromised status should stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if experiencing symptoms, the CDC advises. Those at high risk of infection should consult their health care providers about whether they should wear a mask or take other preventive measures in Baltimore County.

These Maryland jurisdictions have medium transmission: Baltimore County; Baltimore City; and Allegeny, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Carroll, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester counties.

To determine the level of transmission in a community, the CDC looks at three metrics:

• New COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population in the last week
• Percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients
• Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days

In all places, those who have symptoms, a positive test or exposure to COVID-19 should wear a mask, according to the CDC.

Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s and Talbot counties are considered low transmission areas for COVID-19 as of Thursday, July 21, according to the CDC.