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Harford County grapples with rising COVID numbers

Businesses fear restrictions if spike continues
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BEL AIR, Md. — The science pointed towards a spike with colder weather, but it comes at the worst time for local businesses in Harford County like The Nest of Main in Bel Air which is counting on the holiday shopping season.

“We are ready to have a profitable fourth quarter and we all have inventory and we’re all pretty much concerned,” said Owner Kathi Gromacki.

The seven-day positivity rate has climbed above 5% in the county for the first time since June.

Concern over the spike drove Harford County Executive Barry Glassman to the office today, which was closed for Veteran’s Day.

“We’re here working through the day to kind of evaluate our numbers, look at the governor’s executive orders and tomorrow I’m going to meet with my staff and see if there’s some additional steps or what we need to do,” said Glassman. “Our numbers went from 58 to 88 overnight.”

The county executive says 98% of businesses are doing the right thing so he is not eying them for further restrictions, but concern remains---the public schools will return to virtual learning this week, and Glassman is well aware of the sleepless nights associated with the ongoing trials of the pandemic.

“There have been several nights in the last month that I’ve had dreams about COVID,” said Glassman. “About somebody getting it or what am I going to do if I have to shut the county down, so it’s a real pressure out there. Families, businesses---it is an overwhelming pressure on everybody.”

Of course the county executive is asking people to perform all of the best practices of social distancing, masks and PPE, but even with all of those measures, he says he’s not certain that the numbers will change over the next few months.