(9/26) Cases of COVID-19 have risen sharply in Frederick County over the past few weeks, leading to a dramatic increase in hospitalizations at Frederick Health Hospital. Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner called on residents to get vaccinated against the coronavirus and to continue wearing masks in indoor public place, per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 80% of patients hospitalized at Frederick Health are unvaccinated.

"Over 50,000 adults in our community remain unvaccinated. This is unacceptable. It is up to all of us to protect our children, who are not eligible for vaccines," Executive Gardner said. "We can beat COVID once and for all if people would simply get vaccinated and wear a mask."

There are 31 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized at Frederick Health. Seven patients are in the intensive care unit. Frederick County has a higher positivity rate and a higher case rate than the state as a whole. As of this morning, the local positivity rate stands at 6.33%. The seven-day average of new cases is 22.84 cases per 100,000 people. For comparison, Maryland’s positivity is 4.89% and its case rate is 17.8.

Tests indicate that most coronavirus infections are from the Delta variant. The largest group of unvaccinated eligible residents in Frederick County are adults in their 20s and 30s, according to the Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP). Among people ages 20 to 29, 45% are not fully vaccinated. 37% of residents in their 30s are not fully vaccinated.

Because Frederick County is experiencing high rates of community transmission, County facilities will remain closed to the public, except by appointment, until Oct. 1. Masks must continue to be worn in all County buildings, including Frederick County Public Libraries.

Executive Gardner issued three calls to action. 1) Get vaccinated. 2) Wear masks at indoor public places until transmission rates are reduced to a moderate level. 3) DO YOUR PART to protect children and other vulnerable populations, including the elderly, and to keep schools and our economy open.