MD Coronavirus 'Warning Lights are Starting To Flash,' Hogan Says

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Gov. Larry Hogan said Maryland was "at a pivotal moment" in the fight against the coronavirus, as the state approaches 150,000 cases of the virus. As the case rate and number of hospitalized coronavirus patients climb, officials urged Marylanders to stick with the basics of mask wearing, hand-washing and physical distancing to prevent the spread of the virus.

"Maryland just entered the red zone for cases," Hogan said at a news briefing from the State House in Annapolis Thursday, after the Maryland Department of Health reported what he said was the state's highest one-day total in new cases since July 25.

Officials said 1,198 new cases of the virus were confirmed in Maryland Thursday, on the heels of 1,000 cases reported Wednesday.

In the past week, Hogan said coronavirus cases in Maryland had increased by 22 percent.

Harford County's case rate increased by 82 percent over the past week, Hogan said, while Baltimore County's case rate was up 41 percent and Carroll County's case rate was up 36 percent.

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States that have more than 100 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in the past week meet the criteria for the red zone, established by the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

"We are now in the midst of a major surge of COVID-19 in America," Hogan said.

The nation saw its largest one-day increase in infections, with more than 100,000 coronavirus cases confirmed Wednesday alone in the United States.

In Maryland 149,964 people have tested positive for the virus, authorities reported Thursday.

Many of those who became infected recently reported attending family gatherings or house parties, Hogan said, based on contact tracing investigations.

"The bulk of the new cases are among young people," Hogan said, noting that a majority of those people who were hospitalized with the virus were older.

In the two weeks before contracting the virus, he said 56 percent of infected people said they had traveled outside the state, attended a gathering of at least 10 people, worked outside the home or visited a high-risk location. Events and locations where there is prolonged exposure to other people — including weddings, parties, stores and restaurants — are considered “high risk” for transmission, according to the state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hospitalizations, Lax Enforcement Are 'Concerning'

A total of 17,435 Marylanders have been hospitalized since the pandemic began in March, Hogan said, and as of Thursday, officials said 588 coronavirus patients were hospitalized.

In the last 10 days, coronavirus-related hospitalizations have increased by more than 100 in Maryland.

"Over the past two weeks, we have seen a concerning increase in hospitalizations and in ICU levels," Hogan said.

Due to a shortage in nurses, Hogan said he was renewing an order enabling people with an out-of-state license or expired Maryland medical license, as well as students, to practice in the medical relief effort. He encouraged medical and public health volunteers to register for the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps.

Responding to an increase in infections in Allegany County, Hogan said the state was "standing up a brand-new testing site" at the Allegany County fairgrounds.

Currently Allegany County has the highest case rate in the state at 41.59 per 100,000 as of Thursday, according to state health data. If the case rate is greater than 25 cases per 100,000 population, health experts say community spread is out of control and may require measures to curb the infection.

Statewide, Hogan said he was concerned about businesses becoming more lax about compliance with health orders and enforcement of those protocols by local partners.

Local leaders, county health departments, county liquor boards and "when necessary local law enforcement agencies must step up their efforts to the levels that they were in the spring," Hogan said, to ensure people are complying with the orders to protect public health during the pandemic.

Jurisdictions "will have my full support as they continue to make some difficult decisions at the county level," Hogan said.

Montgomery County is considering reinstating restrictions on dining and worship capacity limits.

What Marylanders Can Do: Masking, Travel Precautions

As of Thursday, 4,035 Marylanders have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

"The warning lights are starting to flash on the dashboard, and nobody should think for one minute that we are somehow immune to the spikes that we are seeing spread in surrounding states in the region and across the country," said Hogan.

"We need every single Marylander to recommit to the actions that have helped us crush the curve the first time around," Hogan said. "I'm calling on the people of Maryland to once again do your part to help us keep this virus at bay."

The statewide masking order will remain in effect, requiring face coverings in all businesses and outdoor public areas when it is not possible to maintain physical distancing.

"Wearing a mask continues to be the single best mitigation strategy we have to fight the virus," Hogan said. "It's that simple. It's not that hard. Just wear the damn masks."

The governor encouraged people to curb travel to states where the coronavirus positivity rate was above 10 percent.

"We strongly advise you to cancel or postpone any travel to those areas until positivity rates decline," Hogan said, renewing a travel advisory issued over the summer. "If you do travel there, get tested and self-quarantine while awaiting results."

While other states are imposing new restrictions, Maryland is not. Starting at midnight, Massachusetts will be under a stay-at-home advisory during overnight hours, impose stricter capacity limits and require masks in all public places regardless of distancing. On Sunday, Rhode Island will impose similar restrictions.

While Maryland's metrics did not yet warrant a change in reopening, Hogan said they "do place us once again at a pivotal moment in this fight" that will "be with us well into next year."

Said Hogan: "We should not and we cannot become complacent. We've come too far together to ignore the warnings and to have the out-of-control spikes like the rest of the country."

Fight COVID Fatigue Plus Mental Toll Of Pandemic

A member of Maryland's Coronavirus Recovery Task Force encouraged vigilance about the virus and mental health.

“More of us have this virus, more of us are spreading this virus and more of us are becoming sick as a result of this virus,” said Dr. David Marcozzi, COVID-19 Incident Commander for the University of Maryland Medical System and a member of Maryland's coronavirus task force.

He encouraged people to stock up on their prescriptions, treat health conditions they know they have and get their flu shot.

In addition, he addressed at Thursday's news briefing the importance of protecting mental health.

“I’ve lost a friend to suicide,” Marcozzi said, “in this pandemic.”

Filled with emotion, he encouraged Marylanders: “Let’s make sure we stay connected. Let’s make sure we reach out. Let’s make sure we support each other. And talk to a professional if helpful.”

When making social plans, Marcozzi advised people to consider the following:

• Weigh the number of attendees and where they are traveling from.
• Avoid vulnerable individuals who may get sick.
• Find out as much as possible in advance about precautions in place.

"It is a predictable surprise," Marcozzi said. "If we don't protect ourselves and each other, we will face significant health and economic challenges in these next few months."

The battle against complacency is real, and the doctor encouraged people to push themselves to keep taking precautions that will stave off the virus.

"I am tired of COVID-19. I think we are all tired of COVID-19," Marcozzi said. "But the virus isn't tired. It is waiting. That is the reality."

Here are ways to help control the spread of the virus, Hogan and Marcozzi said:

• Wear a mask over your mouth and nose — don't pull it down to speak.
• Telework when possible.
• Practice physical distancing, keeping at least 6 feet of distance between people.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Avoid traveling to states with positivity rates of at least 10 percent.

See Also:

• MD Adds 1,000 Coronavirus Cases; Positivity, Hospitalizations Up
• MoCo Considers Capacity Limits At Restaurants, Houses Of Worship
• BCPS Postpones Reopening Of Schools As Coronavirus Spreads
• AACPS Delays Hybrid Classes; Anne Arundel Coronavirus Cases Surge
• MoCo Surpasses 200 New COVID Cases For The First Time Since June