Coronavirus Hospitalizations Down By Nearly 100: MD Officials

MARYLAND — Hospitalizations and intensive care unit patients being treated for the new coronavirus have decreased, the Maryland Department of Health reported Monday morning, compared with the previous day's data.

Statewide, 1,544 people were hospitalized with the virus as of Monday morning, 585 of them in the intensive care unit (ICU), health officials reported. Hospitalizations were down by 96 day-to-day, while ICU patients decreased by 26 people since Sunday's update.

For the state to reopen, Gov. Larry Hogan has said Maryland needs coronavirus-related hospitalizations and ICU admissions to trend down or level off.

"If we did start to see a leveling trend in those metrics, we would be in position to begin stage one of the recovery plan," Hogan said last Wednesday at a news conference, where he announced the easing of restrictions on some activities.

Phase one of his plan includes low risk activities like opening some nonessential businesses for curbside pickup and allowing outdoor religious gatherings. The Maryland Strong Road Map for Recovery, released by the governor April 24, characterized these moves as "quality of life improvements." Already he has relaxed some restrictions, such as allowing recreational boating and elective medical procedures to start back up again Thursday, May 7.

As of Monday, state health officials say 33,373 people statewide have tested positive for the new coronavirus, with 786 new cases confirmed in the past day. Prince George's County has the most confirmed cases in the state, with nearly 9,700 people testing positive for the virus.

A total of 1,573 Marylanders have died from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus, officials reported Monday morning. An additional 110 have COVID-19 listed as a cause of death on their death certificates, authorities say, with test results pending.

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Since the first confirmed cases of the virus in Maryland on March 5, authorities say 6,183 people have been hospitalized due to COVID-19. After having the virus, 2,298 people in Maryland have been released from isolation.

So far, the state has reported 131,407 negative test results, an increase of 4,063 since the previous day.

Coronavirus in Maryland: A Snapshot

Here is a look at Maryland's coronavirus numbers as of Monday, May 11:

Case Count By ZIP Code

These are the ZIP codes with the highest coronavirus case counts in Maryland Monday, according to Kata Hall, spokeswoman for the governor:

• 1,170 cases — ZIP code 20783 (Prince George's County)
• 703 cases — ZIP code 20906 (Montgomery County)
• 647 cases — ZIP code 20706 (Prince George's County)
• 604 cases — ZIP code 20902 (Montgomery County)
• 550 cases — ZIP code 20904 (Montgomery County)
• 549 cases — ZIP code 20784 (Prince George's County)
• 520 cases — ZIP code 20782 (Prince George's County)
• 507 cases — ZIP code 21224 (Baltimore City/Baltimore County)
• 478 cases — ZIP code 21215 (Baltimore City/Baltimore County)
• 456 cases — ZIP code 20903 (Montgomery County)

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Jurisdiction

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Age And Gender

Maryland Coronavirus By Race And Ethnicity

Coronavirus At Group Living Facilities

The state began providing information in late April about coronavirus at congregate living facilities.

Strike teams were sent to conduct universal testing for nursing home residents and staff and to test those at two poultry processing plants. Officials said they were prioritizing outbreaks and hot spots.

Last week the state sent 3,128 tests to Maryland nursing homes, with 850 scheduled over the weekend, according to Mike Ricci, spokesman for the governor.

Testing Sites Across The State

The state is expanding testing for health care workers and first responders at local fire and EMS departments, and for health care workers at the Maryland Department of Health, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Corrections and the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Hogan announced Wednesday.

See more on testing sites in Maryland.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Symptoms of the new coronavirus can appear two to 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which lists the following as possible indicators of the illness: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.

The CDC has an online self-checker tool for those concerned they may have the virus.

Health officials say most people with the virus will experience mild symptoms and can recover at home. Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, according to the CDC.

People should call 911 and seek immediate medical attention if they have trouble breathing, bluish lips or face, new confusion or inability to arouse and/or persistent pain or pressure in the chest.

If you have a story or news tip you want to share, email maryland@patch.com.

See Also:

• MD Governor Eases Restrictions; Reopening From Coronavirus Ahead
• PG County Still Leads MD In Number Of Coronavirus Cases
• Moms Treated To Mother's Day Car Parade In Perry Hall
• Hogan Administration Sued Over Stay-At-Home Order: MD Coronavirus
• Coronavirus Lands Healthy Anne Arundel Officer In The Hospital
• Maryland Schools To Close For Rest Of Spring
• Barbershops, Salons Can Reopen For Essential Workers: MD Governor