Montgomery County’s COVID-19 case rate per 100,000 people was at its lowest point on Saturday in six months.
The rate, which measures the number of confirmed cases for every 100,000 people, was 8.4, as of Saturday morning, down from 12.0 on April 13. The last time the case rate was below 8.4 was on Oct. 10, when it was 8.3.
The statewide case rate was 17.7, as of Saturday.
The rate was at its highest point in January, when it hit 49.8 cases per 100,000 people.
On Saturday, 96 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Montgomery County, raising the total to 69,334. Two additional confirmed deaths were also reported. There have been 1,465 deaths in Montgomery County.
There have been 442,351 cases of COVID-19 in Maryland and 8,462 deaths.
Forty-nine percent (515,473) of all Montgomery County residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to county data. About 31.5% (331,444) are fully vaccinated.
The Montgomery County Council announced on Friday afternoon a phased reopening plan, based on the percentage of residents who are vaccinated.
When 50% of county residents have at least one dose, the county would increase gathering limits and capacity limits for some businesses. When 60% of residents have received at least one dose, the county would increase gathering limits indoors again and eliminate outdoor gathering size restrictions; convention facilities would be allowed to operate at 50% capacity; and restaurants could operate at 75% capacity.
When half of Montgomery County residents are fully vaccinated, all businesses and activities in the county would have to follow any state or Maryland Department of Health requirements in place at the time.
The plan is scheduled for a public hearing and vote at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The deadline to sign up to speak at the hearing is at 5 p.m. on Monday.