Being safe this holiday season means getting vaccinated. The state Department of Health is reporting 740 new cases, four hospitalizations and 16 more deaths in Maryland in the past day. Garrett County’s positivity rate is at 19.85 per cent, more than five times higher than the statewide daily case rate. The Allegany County rate was quoted at 8.39 per cent, and Washington County, at 10.14 per cent. Garrett County also had the state’s lowest COVID-19 vaccinate rate. And, the Health Department is recommending testing before gathering with family members and friends this holiday season, according to an article in the Cumberland Times-News.