The Cecil County Health Department Sunday announced 162 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and eight COVID-19-related deaths in Cecil County, up from seven on Saturday. More than half of the confirmed cases have recovered from the virus
The department in the county that borders Delaware does not release figures on the total number of people testing negative for the virus.
Still, the ratio of deaths to positive cases remains high when compared to comparable figures in neighboring Delaware and might suggest a low level of testing.
Cecil County also does not release figures on specific nursing homes. It is believed that the bulk of the COVID-19 deaths have occurred at long-term care facilities.
Delaware has, at least temporarily, stopped listing the number of deaths by the facility on Saturday, but did open the door to future disclosures. The state had listed nursing homes that had two or more deaths.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan recently secured a half a million tests that were brought into the state via a charter flight from Korea. Hogan has created a strike force that includes National Guard members that aim to improve conditions at nursing homes.
According to the county, COVID-19 continues to be a community-spread pandemic and advised taking steps that include social distancing and washing hands often. Maryland also requires facemasks in public places.
