Because of the Delta variant, COVID-19 rates continue to increase in Allegany County and across the state, with nearly 96 per cent of all hospitalizations and deaths occurring in unvaccinated individuals. The county’s positivity rate is exceeding the Maryland rate at 4.81 per cent; Maryland’s rate is 4.46 per cent. There have been 20 new COVID cases and zero additional deaths. Free COVID testing continues at the Allegany County Fairgrounds; vaccination clinics also continue at the Health Department on Wednesdays from 9 to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.