‘Deeply concerning’: Baltimore City emerging as a COVID hot spot; officials urge vigilance

Cases of COVID-19 in Baltimore City have spiked in recent weeks, outpacing every county in Maryland and rivaling an infection level not recorded since the winter peak. The reasons aren’t entirely clear, but state and local data suggest the pandemic could worsen still in the city before it gets better this summer as vaccinations against the disease continue. Cases and hospitalizations are rising in the state generally, though remain well below their mid-January peak, and state and local health officials are cautioning people to wear masks, practice social distancing and get tested after traveling or if they think they’ve been exposed.