Around Maryland

Maryland’s reported 718 new COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths, according to data released Sunday by the Maryland Department of Health. The seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate dipped to 4.32% over the past 24 hours, a 0.17% decrease since Friday. The statewide positivity rate peaked on Jan. 7 when it flirted with 30%.

In a letter to parents and guardians, the Archdiocese of Baltimore said they will transition all archdiocesan schools, where jurisdictions allow, to optional masking. The move will take place starting on Feb. 14. For students, this option will be based on parental choice, according to the letter. Staff and visitors will also have the option to wear a mask or not and the change applies to all individuals, regardless of vaccination status.

Masks are no longer required in Frederick County, Maryland, under the board of health mandate as COVID-19 case numbers drop. As of Saturday, the COVID-19 case rate in Frederick County has fallen below 20 per 100,000 people. This was the threshold set by the Frederick County Board of Health. Because this metric was met, the mask mandate is no longer in effect, as announced by the Board of Health in a news release.

They pulled out all the stops at the 41st annual Black History Month Breakfast. Maryland’s 4th and 5th Congressional Districts hosted the event. It was held virtually for the second year in a row but featured musical performances and guest speakers. “This year we have so many dedicated and inspirational leaders to deliver messages of hope and joy,” Emcee Kelby Funn said.

Maryland’s top court will consider whether a criminal defendant’s right to an unbiased jury is inherently violated by the courtroom presence of a bailiff wearing a face mask emblazoned with the pro-police “thin blue line” flag during trial. The Court of Appeals agreed Wednesday to review a lower court decision that the symbol does not necessarily indicate the trial court’s bias toward the prosecution and law enforcement in violation of a defendant’s constitutional right to due process.

A memorial service will be held today at 10 a.m. for Baltimore fire Lt. Paul Butrim, Firefighter/Paramedic Kenny Lacayo and Lt. Kelsey Sadler at the Baltimore Convention Center. Interment will follow at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. The Maryland State Highway Administration said motorists should expect all mainlines of the northbound Jones Falls Expressway (I-83) to be closed during the procession, as well as all access points to the interstate.

Following a holiday break that saw a rapid COVID-19 spike across the state, around 18,100 students from 29 public schools in Maryland were in virtual learning as of last week, according to new data from the Maryland State Department of Education. These students represent a small portion of the more than 881,000 students enrolled in Maryland public schools but are more than were learning remotely in the fall.