MD Coronavirus: Child Tests Positive, Malls To Close, Gov. Says

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Gov. Larry Hogan is introducing additional restrictions due to the new coronavirus Thursday morning after Maryland's first confirmed death from the illness. The man was identified only as a Prince George's County resident in his 60s who suffered from an underlying medical condition.

He was "infected with the virus through community transmission," the governor said, meaning he did not get the illness through travel or a known source.

There are 107 confirmed cases as of Thursday morning, Hogan said, an 88 percent increase in the past 48 hours.

Among the new cases is a 5-year-old girl in Howard County, "the first case of a child contracting the virus here in Maryland," Hogan said.

More than 220 people in the D.C. region have tested positive for the new coronavirus, he said, stating there were 9,500 cases across the country and more than 220,000 cases worldwide.

Given the increasing number of cases, Hogan is taking additional measures to force people to stay in their homes and prevent the spread of the virus.

He said "this fight against this global pandemic is a race against time ... to protect the health of millions of Marylanders and to save thousands of lives."

To stem the spread of the coronavirus, Hogan is now tightening restrictions on travel.

BWI, Public Transit Restricted

"Earlier this week, I strongly urged all Maryland citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. And we discouraged anyone from entering BWI Marshall Airport unless they are actually a traveling passenger or reporting to a job. That is no longer a recommendation," Hogan said.

Effective immediately, ticketed passengers and badged workers will be the only ones who can enter the terminal at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. Hogan said exceptions will be made for individuals assisting disabled passengers.

"No one else will be granted access," Hogan said.

Additional restrictions will also be placed on the public transit system. People should only be taking public transit if they are "emergency personnel" or their job "is essential to the supply chain," Hogan said.

Enclosed Malls Closed; Gatherings Limited To Fewer Than 10

Hogan said he will be closing all enclosed shopping malls and entertainment venues across the state starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 19. Events of more than 10 people in close proximity are prohibited.

"Despite all of our repeated warnings for weeks ... and the rapid escalation of this virus," Hogan said, "some people are treating this like a vacation or a spring break with parties and cookouts and large gatherings at some of our parks."

Said Hogan: "Let me be very clear: If you are engaged in this type of activity, you are in violation of state law and you are endangering the lives of your fellow Marylanders."

No Decision On Schools

Students at Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University and McDaniel College are finishing spring semesters online. Hogan said he is asking the University System of Maryland to do the same, advising the board that students should be discouraged from returning to campus.

"The decision hasn't been made" about how to handle the rest of the school year for students in public schools, Hogan said. "It's something lots of people are working on and taking a look at."

All public schools in Maryland will be closed for students Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 27, State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon announced March 12.

Hospitals Increasing Capacity

The state is working to open 6,000 additional hospital beds to meet the growing demand as the new coronavirus spreads.

Through phase one of the surge plan, Hogan said 900 beds have already been made available.

"By early April, we expect to have an additional 1,400 beds open as we work to reopen closed floors and hospital facilities across the state," Hogan said Thursday.

The Maryland Department of Health is tasked with coming up with a plan to increase the capacity by an additional 6,000 beds.

The Maryland Hospital Association is coordinating a plan with individual hospitals to determine how to address the need for additional hospital beds, state health department spokesman Charlie Gischlar said. An outline for plan is anticipated within a week to 10 days, he said Wednesday night.

Maryland Unites Highlights Positivity

"This truly is one of the most daunting challenges that our state has ever faced," Hogan said. But, he added: "The worst times have a way of bringing out the very best in people."

To that end, the governor said the state was launching a website called Maryland Unites to highlight the stories of Marylanders helping their neighbors. (It does not appear to be functional as of 11:10 a.m.)

How are you seeing neighbors helping neighbors? Tell us in the comments or email maryland@patch.com.

One way Hogan urged people to give back was to donate blood to the American Red Cross, which is experiencing a blood shortage.

"If you're healthy and you're feeling well, please consider donating blood," Hogan said.

State Of Emergency Continues

Maryland has been under a state of emergency since March 5.

In an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus and stop large groups from gathering, the governor ordered the closure of bars, restaurants, movie theaters and gyms across the state, effective March 16 until further notice during the state of emergency. Drive-thru, carryout and food delivery service can continue at restaurants. On Sunday he ordered Maryland's five casinos and the state's racetracks to close at midnight to stem the coronavirus spread. The casinos and racetracks will remain closed until further notice.

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

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that can lead to fever, cough or shortness of breath. Most people who are infected with coronavirus will experience mild or no symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

More severe complications include pneumonia, organ failure and death, the CDC reports.

Health officials advise doing the following to stop the spread of the virus:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

For more information, visit the Maryland Department of Health's coronavirus page.

See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's coronavirus disease situation summary for more about the illness.

Watch Hogan's news conference from Thursday, March 19.

This is breaking news and will be updated.

Related:

• First MD Coronavirus Death Is Prince George's County Resident
• 'Severe Blood Shortage:' Red Cross Needs Donations Amid Outbreak
  
• Coronavirus Postpones Maryland Primaries From April: Hogan