Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Double In Maryland

MARYLAND — Confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Maryland more than doubled in one day. There are 26 confirmed cases Saturday morning, according to the Maryland Department of Health, which had reported Friday morning there were 12 cases. In a bit of good news, Montgomery County health officials said the first three coronavirus patients there have recovered.

Gov. Larry Hogan issued an order Saturday afternoon suspending certain requirements to increase access to child care for critical personnel — such as health care providers, law enforcement, emergency medical services and others — during the state of emergency.

Globally, there are more than 153,000 cases of coronavirus; the total number of U.S. cases has reached more than 2,400, according to a Johns Hopkins tracker. A total of 51 deaths in the United States have been caused by the disease as of Saturday afternoon.

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The state health department's coronavirus page, which previously showcased the number of confirmed cases of the illness as its focal point, has been revamped Saturday.

Now the ticker with the confirmed new coronavirus case count has been moved to the right column on the web page, while information about symptoms and spread are the centerpiece. Messaging such as "Use Your Head - Slow the Spread" has been made more prominent on the state health department's coronavirus page.

Symptoms of the new coronavirus include fever, coughing, shortness of breath and in more severe cases, pneumonia (lung infection).

Best practices for preventing the spread of the virus include the following:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your cough or sneeze.
• Stay home when you are sick. Call your health care provider first if symptoms are consistent with the new coronavirus.
• Stay away from crowds and keep distance between yourself and others.

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Even as the virus continues to spread, health officials say that the majority of infected people will exhibit more mild symptoms.

Those who are most at risk are individuals with compromised immune systems and the elderly.

The illness, also known as COVID-19, prompted the state to order public schools in Maryland closed for two weeks.

Related: Public Schools To Close, Spring Break Changes