Another Maryland County Requires Face Coverings In Public

MARYLAND — Another Maryland jurisdiction has now mandated that people wear a face covering in public if they cannot put at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and others. Anne Arundel County issued the order Thursday and is now the second county in the state to have such a mandate.

In late June, Montgomery County required face coverings in public when social distancing is not possible.

Statewide, face coverings have been required in retail establishments and on public transit since April 18 by executive order from the governor.

Anne Arundel County and Annapolis police will offer masks to people who are not wearing them, the county's health officer said. The order to wear masks in public when social distancing is not possible takes effect at 5 p.m. Friday in Anne Arundel County. If violators refuse to comply, police will issue a warning. A second offense would result in a fine.

The coronavirus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which states: "A cloth face covering may not protect the wearer, but it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others."

See Also:

• Masks Required Outside In Anne Arundel County
• State Launches Mask-Wearing Campaign On Social Media
• Face Masks Mandatory In Montgomery Co; Health Order, Explained
• 3 Ways To Make Face Masks

There were 71,910 confirmed cases of the virus in Maryland as of Friday, as well as 3,172 deaths from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Authorities say 5,157 people have been released from isolation after having the virus.

Coronavirus in Maryland: A Snapshot

Here is a look at Maryland's coronavirus numbers as of Friday, July 10:

Maryland Hospitalizations, Deaths

Coronavirus At Group Living Facilities

Coronavirus data from congregate living facilities is updated weekly on Wednesdays.

Here are the numbers as of Wednesday:

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Jurisdiction

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Age And Gender

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Race And Ethnicity

Symptoms Of Coronavirus

Contracting the coronavirus can result in mild to severe illness. Older adults and those with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart or lung disease, are the most at risk of complications from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These symptoms of coronavirus can appear two to 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

People should get medical attention immediately if they have trouble breathing, feel persistent pain or pressure in the chest, experience new confusion, have the inability to wake or stay awake or have bluish lips or face, federal health officials say.

To prevent getting infected, authorities advise staying away from those who are sick, keeping at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others, washing hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and wearing a cloth face covering when around others.

Patch editor Jacob Baumgart contributed to this report.