Maryland’s key COVID metrics are rising. The state health department reports the seven-day positivity rate is now two-point-one-percent, up from around one-point-six-percent at the beginning of the month. There are 644 new cases of the virus and three additional deaths. Hospitalizations are up nearly 16-percent in the past 24 hours, with 161 COVID patients receiving treatment. Seven children are hospitalized with the virus, including one in the intensive care unit.