Over 250K In MD Have Tested Positive For Coronavirus: Officials

MARYLAND — More than 250,000 people in Maryland have tested positive for the coronavirus, state health officials said Sunday.

Gov. Larry Hogan used the milestone as an opportunity to repeat guidance he provided earlier in the week along with health experts.

"With Christmas approaching, we cannot afford to let our guard down," Hogan said. "We remind Marylanders that you truly are safer at home for the holidays. The necessary sacrifices we make this season will absolutely help to keep your friends and loved ones safe."

Effective Monday, state agencies are suspending in-person customer service operations for two weeks. In the meantime, telework is mandatory for state employees who are able to telework. Officials are asking all businesses to encourage employees to telework when possible.

The Maryland Department of Health on Thursday issued a public health advisory lowering the public gathering limit from 25 to 10, in attempt to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

In addition, the terminal at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) is only open to ticketed passengers and employees.

Travel will be limited to essential purposes only.

"Marylanders who do travel outside Maryland or [people] who do travel to our state will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result or to self-quarantine for 10 days," Hogan said.

Marylanders who travel to the District of Columbia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia are exempt from the coronavirus testing requirement.

Those who would like to be tested for the virus can find a testing site here.

For the latest developments on the coronavirus in Maryland, get Patch news alerts.

Here is a look at Maryland's coronavirus data as of Sunday, Dec. 20:

Related:

• Travel Restricted, Gatherings Limited In MD: Governor Hogan
• 300,000 Dead: Remembering Marylanders We Lost To Coronavirus
• E-ZPass MD Service Centers Suspend In-Person Services
• MD Passes 5,000 Coronavirus Deaths, Health Department Says