MD Coronavirus Cases Rise To 580; Overall 132 Were Hospitalized

MARYLAND — Maryland has 580 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, the state reported Thursday. That is an increase of 157 since the previous day and is the greatest one-day increase so far since the Maryland Department of Health began reporting on the number of cases in the state. It's the third consecutive day of record-breaking increases.

"As I have repeatedly stressed, we should continue to expect the number of cases to dramatically and rapidly rise," Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement Thursday. "We have never faced anything like this ever before, and I continue to urge the people of our state to stay in place at home and stay safe."

The state also released new data Thursday, including the number of those hospitalized due to the new coronavirus, the gender of those who tested positive for COVID-19 and those released from isolation. So far, 132 people have been hospitalized and 23 have been released from isolation, according to state health officials. Four people have died from the illness.

In the National Capital Region — defined as Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. — state officials said there are more than 1,200 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus.

"We are only at the beginning of this crisis, in our state, in the National Capital Region, and in America," Hogan said. "This battle is going to be much harder, take much longer, and be much worse than almost anyone comprehends."

Earlier in the week, Hogan said that the state and the nation were facing two battles — one to protect public health and the other to preserve the economy. In reporting the uptick in confirmed coronavirus cases Thursday, Hogan also pledged to help those suffering economically from the virus.

"Today, we are also seeing an unprecedented increase in the number of Marylanders filing for unemployment," Hogan said.

Unemployment numbers released Thursday showed more than 42,300 people in Maryland filed for unemployment during the week ending March 21, up from more than 3,800 the week before.

"We are going to do everything we can to help people and small businesses get back on their feet," Hogan said. "I want Marylanders to know that if we continue to lead and work together — if we rely on and help each other — together we will get through this crisis."

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This is where the coronavirus cases are, broken down by jurisdiction, as of Thursday, March 26, according to the Maryland Department of Health:

• 164 — Montgomery County
• 101 — Prince George's County
• 81 — Baltimore County
• 72 — Baltimore City
• 49 — Howard County
• 41 — Anne Arundel County
• 14 — Frederick County
• 10 — Charles County
• 9 — Harford County
• 7 — Calvert and Carroll counties
• 5 — Wicomico County
• 4 — Cecil and St. Mary's counties
• 3 — Garrett County
• 2 — Washington and Worcester counties
• 1 — Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset and Talbot counties

Of those who have tested positive, state health officials said 298 are men and 282 are women.

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.

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

• 461: Age 18 to 64
• 113: Age 65 and up
• 6: Under 18 years old

"Younger people are less likely to get the severe form of the disease and be hospitalized," Deputy Health Secretary Fran Phillips said Wednesday, but she cautioned that they were carriers of the virus and could spread it to others who may be more vulnerable.

These groups are at greatest risk from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Ages 65 and older
• Nursing home or long-term care facility residents
• Those with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
• Those with heart disease with complications
• The immunocompromised — including people undergoing cancer treatment, those who have had bone marrow or organ transplants, people with poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, or those who have used corticosteroids or other immune-weakening medications over a long period of time
• Anyone with severe obesity (body mass index greater than 40) or underlying medical conditions, especially if they are not controlled, such as diabetes, liver disease or renal failure

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 space between you and other people and avoid crowds and poorly ventilated areas.
• 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.