2 Baltimore Women Die From Coronavirus: Mayor

BALTIMORE, MD — Two people in Baltimore have died from the new coronavirus, Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young reported Saturday. They were the first to have died from the illness in the city.

One was a woman in her 60s, and the other was a woman in her 80s, according to Young. Both had underlying medical conditions, the Maryland Department of Health reported Saturday night.

“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I report the first two deaths linked to the COVID-19 virus,” Young said in a statement Saturday evening. “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time. It is vital that we continue to protect each other and vigilantly practice social distancing to safeguard our community.”

Young reminded people that gatherings of more than 10 people have been prohibited. Earlier in the day, the mayor ordered all rims removed from basketball courts and nets taken from tennis courts at city parks to prevent people from congregating in groups.

Officials said 992 people had tested positive for COVID-19 across the state as of Saturday morning, including 141 people in Baltimore City.

"Baltimore, we have to do all we can to support families and keep people safe," Council President Brandon Scott said in a statement Saturday night. "This virus is serious. Practice social distancing like your life, your parents' life, and your grandparents' life depends on it — because it really does."

A total of 10 people in Maryland have died from the virus, state health officials reported Saturday night. That is double the number reported Saturday morning, when authorities said five people across the state lost their lives to the illness.

These were the five who the Maryland Department of Health reported Saturday night had died from COVID-19:

• Baltimore City woman in her 60s with underlying medical conditions
• Baltimore City woman in her 80s with underlying medical conditions
• Charles County man in his 50s
• Prince George’s County man in his 50s
• Wicomico County woman in her 60s with underlying medical conditions

"I am deeply saddened to learn that two Baltimore City residents have passed away due to COVID-19," Scott said. "This is unfortunate and unimaginable, and my heart goes out to both of their families.

He went on to say: "These tragic deaths come right after we lost two more Baltimoreans to gun violence last night. Let's keep these families in our prayers as well. In these trying times, we cannot forget that we still lose too many of our friends and family to violence that tears families apart."

At 11:57 p.m. Friday, police from the southern district found a man who was pronounced deceased in the 3600 block of 5th Street in Brooklyn, after he was shot multiple times. Anyone with information is asked to call 410-396-2100. The man was not identified. No information was immediately available about the second homicide victim Scott referenced.

There have been 64 homicides in Baltimore so far this year, Baltimore Police Department reported Saturday morning.

See Also:

• 'Dramatic Increase' To 992 MD Coronavirus Cases: Hogan
• 3 First Responders Test Positive For Coronavirus: Mayor
• Baltimore Bus Driver Tests Positive For Coronavirus: MTA
• Baltimore Coronavirus Case Was Community Transmission: Officials