Coronavirus In Maryland: 4 Deaths Confirmed, 349 Cases Total

MARYLAND — Four people have died from the new coronavirus in Maryland, officials said Tuesday, confirming a second Prince George's County man had lost his life to the illness. There are 349 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Maryland, state health officials reported Tuesday morning.

A Prince George's County man in his 60s who suffered from underlying medical conditions died from COVID-19, state health officials reported Tuesday.

Three others have died in Maryland from the new coronavirus, all in the past week, and officials said each person suffered from underlying medical conditions:

• A woman from Montgomery County in her 40s died Saturday.
• A Baltimore County man in his 60s died Friday.
• A Prince George's County man in his 60s died Wednesday.

People infected with the virus have been confirmed in all parts of the state except in Dorchester, Allegany and Kent counties.

The state saw its largest day-to-day increase in positive test results Tuesday since it began testing people for COVID-19, with 61 people testing positive since Monday.

This is where the 349 coronavirus cases are, broken down by jurisdiction, as of Tuesday, March 24, according to the Maryland Department of Health:

• 107 — Montgomery County
• 63 — Prince George's County
• 42 — Baltimore County
• 41 — Baltimore City
• 30 — Howard County
• 24 — Anne Arundel County
• 5 — Carroll, Charles and Harford counties
• 4 — Frederick and Wicomico counties
• 3 — Calvert, Cecil and Garrett counties
• 2 — St. Mary's, Washington and Worcester counties
• 1 — Caroline, Queen Anne's, Somerset and Talbot counties

Of those who tested positive for the virus in Maryland, here's the breakdown by age group:

• 283, or 81 percent: Age 18 to 64
• 62, or 18 percent: Age 65 and up
• 4, or 1 percent: Under 18 years old

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

Maryland's governor declared a state of emergency March 5, the day the first cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in the state. The first three to test positive have fully recovered from coronavirus, according to the health officer for Montgomery County, where they live. All had gone on an Egyptian cruise on the Nile River.

The state's first case of community transmission — meaning the person who got the virus did not contract it through travel or a known source — was confirmed March 11. The next day, officials ordered public schools closed from March 16 through March 27.

Since then, the state has taken various measures to slow the spread of the new coronavirus and stop large groups from gathering:

• Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan ordered all nonessential businesses to close at 5 p.m. Monday, March 23.
• Hogan ordered returning spring break travelers to self-quarantine for the next 14 days, and to avoid people over the age of 60. He also encouraged people to avoid playgrounds, pavilions, and anywhere that groups of more than 10 people may congregate starting Friday, March 20.
• Hogan prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people, shuttered enclosed malls and entertainment venues, restricted BWI terminal access and limited public transportation to essential travel Thursday, March 19.
• Hogan ordered the closure of bars, restaurants, movie theaters and gyms across the state, effective at 5 p.m. Monday, March 16, until further notice during the state of emergency. Drive-thru, carryout and food delivery service can continue at restaurants.
• Hogan ordered Maryland's five casinos and the state's racetracks to close March 16 until further notice.

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

The CDC advises doing the following to stop the spread of the virus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If this is not available, use hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Keep 6 feet of space between people.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

The CDC has put together a coronavirus disease situation summary for more about the illness.

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

See Also: MD Governor Orders Nonessential Businesses To Close