Maryland’s COVID-19 positivity rate continues to show a day-over-day increase. The state Department of Health says the rate is up nearly point-2-percent to 4-point-3-8-percent. There are 636 new cases of the virus and five additional deaths. Hospitalizations are down by one to 153 patients with 26 in the ICU. Health officials are keeping an eye on the number of new cases as area students and staff return from their spring break holidays.