(Howard Co., MD)  —  Howard County Public Schools is canceling all sporting events and extracurricular activities through mid-January.  Superintendent Michael Martirano made the announcement today, citing a spike in COVID-19 cases.  He said there are about 300 positive cases within the district, and about four-thousand students and staff are in quarantine.  The ban is in effect through January 15th but will be revisited on January 7th.