Maryland Governor Says State Is Preparing For Coronavirus

MARYLAND — Two days after Maryland health officials confirmed one person was being tested for coronavirus, Gov. Larry Hogan outlined what the state is doing to address the potentially deadly illness.

The novel coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan, China. Researchers around the globe are still determining how the new virus spreads.

Symptoms are fever, cough, difficulty breathing and pneumonia, resulting in anything from mild respiratory issues to death. People are usually symptomatic within two to 14 days of being exposed to the virus, for which there is no treatment.

There have been 6,000 cases and 132 deaths linked to the new coronavirus, according to a database created by a Johns Hopkins civil engineering professor tracking its spread worldwide.

So far, five coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the United States — in Arizona, California, Illinois and Washington, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reports all were travelers returning from Wuhan, China. The agency issued an advisory Monday urging those in the U.S. to avoid nonessential travel to China due to the spread of the virus.

Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is handling U.S. testing for coronavirus at its laboratories in Atlanta.

The person in Maryland being tested for coronavirus is in "good condition" Wednesday, according to state officials. Even so, due to coronavirus concerns, Lunar New Year celebrations were canceled in Annapolis and Rockville this week.

"This morning, I received a thorough briefing from state health officials regarding our coordinated response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, which has become a major public health crisis in China," Hogan said in a statement Wednesday. "At my direction, the state is taking every precaution to prepare and mobilize whatever resources are necessary to address the coronavirus. Our state government team is in close communication with federal officials and will continue to remain so on an ongoing basis."

At BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, the governor said officials were working on protocols for incoming flights and posting signage notifying travelers about coronavirus. In addition, state health officials are coordinating with Johns Hopkins University and the University System of Maryland about students who have traveled.

"Maryland is fortunate to have some of the top health research facilities in the world, and I am confident in our state’s ability to respond to any potential cases of the virus," Hogan said. "I expect that we will be a leader in developing treatments and perhaps even a vaccine. While there is no need for immediate concern, we are taking this issue very seriously, and we encourage Marylanders to stay informed.”

A team of doctors and nurses at Johns Hopkins Hospital last week practiced treating a patient with a contagious respiratory virus. The facility has the only bio-containment unit in the Mid-Atlantic, reports WJZ, and it can treat up to four patients at one time.

"What we're worried about in this current outbreak is that we don't yet know how virulent this virus is or how dangerous it can be to the average person," Medical Director Brian Garibaldi told the TV station. "And we also don't know how easily it's spread from person to person."

Many patients from the initial Wuhan outbreak had visited a large seafood and animal market, but a growing number of those infected since then have no connection. The virus also appears to have symptoms similar to the flu, Garibaldi said, making it a challenge to identify.

Related:

• Possible MD Coronavirus Patient Awaits Test Results
• Coronavirus Concerns Prompt Lunar New Year Event Cancellation
• Airline Flags Passenger At BWI For Possible Coronavirus Exposure
• Chinese New Year Celebration In Annapolis Canceled Over Virus

"The Maryland Department of Health is closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation ... both in the U.S. and in China,” Maryland Deputy Secretary of Public Health Fran Phillips said in a statement.

State health officials have given guidance to Maryland physicians, nurse practitioners and local health departments to screen people for the illness, which could lead to testing if they meet criteria.

"As we learn more, Marylanders are encouraged to practice everyday actions to promote good health and to protect themselves and their loved ones from respiratory viruses like the coronavirus — wash your hands thoroughly, cover your cough, and avoid close contact with people who are sick," Phillips said. "Stay home from work or school if you’re not feeling well."

Here are some tips from Maryland Department of Health for staying safe from coronavirus:

• Wash hands using an alcohol-based sanitizer or soap and water.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing/sneezing. Do not sneeze/cough into your hand.
• Avoid contact with those who are sick.
• Stay home from work or school if you are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Deb Belt contributed to this report.