This story was last updated at 5:25 p.m.

Amid a surge in cases, the six most populous jurisdictions in Maryland are asking the state to tighten COVID-19 restrictions and warning that if it does not act, the local jurisdictions will.

After a decline in daily case numbers in June, July has seen a rising number of infections in Maryland, as well as an increased rate of transmission and a growing number of hospitalizations. The six jurisdictions requesting tighter restrictions — Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County — are the hardest-hit in the state and account for the vast majority of cases.

In a letter to the state health department, local health officials from the six jurisdictions said the recent uptick in cases was concerning.

“We are writing to ask that the state take action to curb these trends, including revisiting the activities allowed under the current Phase 2 Executive orders,” the letter reads. It was sent Monday to Frances Phillips, Maryland’s Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services.

The health officers said they were prepared to act quickly, if the state does not, and laid out a series of actions they were considering. These include: closing indoor restaurant and bar service, closing indoor recreation and amusement facilities, imposing a limit on large gatherings (either up to 10 people or up to 50), and restricting travel to and from coronavirus hotspots.

The letter, obtained by DCist and first reported by The Baltimore Sun, says local officials would prefer statewide restrictions “to create a unified, standardized approach to address this resurgence of cases.”

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan implemented the state’s Stage Two of reopening in June, allowing restaurants to serve patrons indoors, and permitting gyms, casinos and other businesses to reopen.

Dr. Travis Gayles, Montgomery County’s health officer and Chief of Public Health Services, said during a press briefing Tuesday that while he would like to see unified enforcement of certain policies at the state or even federal level, the county has the authority to roll back parts of the county’s reopening as needed, though he did not specify what metric he thought would deem that necessary.

“I think we’ll have to continue to review if we think that closing indoor facilities would be of great benefit to curb numbers,” Gayles said.

He added that the county is watching “the overall numbers, the impact on our healthcare system, and other areas, of concern, and if there’s something that jumps out as a red flag to say activity or venue or whatever is tied to it, we will act to curb that particular activity to minimize transmission.”

Prince George’s County health officer, Dr. Ernest Carter, said in an emailed statement, “While we are monitoring the situation very closely, Prince George’s County is not yet in a position to start rolling back current reopening measures.”

Maryland recorded 925 new cases on Sunday — the highest number in a single day since May 30. There have been a total of 78,685 cases in Maryland and 3,252 confirmed deaths.

In an emailed statement, Charlie Gischlar, a spokesperson for the Maryland Department of Health, told DCist, “Local leaders and health officers continue to have the flexibility to make decisions regarding reopenings, but just as important, they have the authority – and the obligation – to close and sanction businesses that are not in compliance with public health orders.”

He added, “Enforcement is critical to protecting public health and slowing the spread of the virus.”

DCist requested comment from Hogan’s office, but did not receive a response before publication.

This story was updated to include a comment from Travis Gayles and statements from Ernest Carter and the Maryland Department of Health. Nathan Diller contributed reporting.