MD Coronavirus Cases Jump Again, Numbers To 'Rapidly Rise': Hogan

MARYLAND — For the second consecutive day, Maryland has seen the largest increase in positive test results for the new coronavirus. After 74 people tested positive in the past day, state health officials say 423 cases of the virus have been confirmed as of Wednesday morning statewide.

"The number of cases is going to rapidly and dramatically rise," Gov. Larry Hogan said at a news conference Wednesday morning.

Hogan urged everyone to consider doing their part "by staying in place in their homes as much as possible, so we can break the back of this virus" and noted: "The vast majority of people in our state who have tested positive are in their 40s."

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

This is where the coronavirus cases are, broken down by jurisdiction, as of Wednesday, March 25, according to the Maryland Department of Health:

• 127 — Montgomery County
• 76 — Prince George's County
• 53 — Baltimore City
• 51 — Baltimore County
• 35 — Howard County
• 31 — Anne Arundel County
• 8 — Charles County
• 7 — Frederick County
• 5 — Carroll and Harford counties
• 4 — Cecil and Wicomico counties
• 3 — Calvert and Garrett counties
• 2 — St. Mary's, Washington and Worcester counties
• 1 — Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset and Talbot counties

"The higher numbers do not necessarily mean that things are getting worse," Hogan said. "It just means we’re testing more people."

He added: "It’s not as alarming as it sounds, because it’s just a lot more people getting tested. It doesn't mean the percentages are going up."

The number of positive tests in the context of overall tests is not clear because the state ceased providing the number of negative test results after multiple sources, including hospitals and commercial labs, began conducting tests for the new coronavirus.

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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, and Maryland's governor declared a state of emergency March 5, the day it was announced they had tested positive for the virus.

Another 14 have recovered as well, Maryland Deputy Health Secretary Fran Phillips said Wednesday, bringing those who have recovered from the virus in the state to 17 total. They are outside their isolation period, she said, and "we're very happy that they're back and being healthy."

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Four people have died from the coronavirus in the past week. Three were men in their 60s with underlying medical conditions, including two Prince George's County residents and one Baltimore County man. A woman in her 40s from Montgomery County also died from COVID-19.

The first state employee to die of the virus was a research professor at UMBC who lived in New York, so he was included in that state's case count, according to Maryland's governor.

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

• 335: Age 18 to 64
• 83: Age 65 and up
• 5: Under 18 years old

None of the children in Maryland have been hospitalized, Phillips said.

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
• Coronavirus In Maryland: 4 Deaths Confirmed, 349 Cases Total