MD Coronavirus: Governor Asks For $50M To Ramp Up Response

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Gov. Larry Hogan wants to transfer up to $50 million from the state's "rainy day fund" toward the new coronavirus response efforts. There are no confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Maryland, the governor said Wednesday, announcing during the Board of Public Works meeting in Annapolis he was proposing the funding request as emergency legislation.

So far, a total of 21 people have been tested for the new coronavirus in Maryland; of those, 10 tests have been negative, and 11 are currently pending.

"Given the rapidly evolving nature of this threat to public health, it is critical that we have the flexibility to immediately access these resources," Hogan said in announcing his $50 million request. "I want to continue to assure Marylanders that our state is taking every precaution when it comes to the coronavirus."

Three-fifths of the general assembly would need to approve Hogan's budget proposal for the emergency funds, which says immediate funding is necessary to preserve public health or safety.

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) raised its activation level Wednesday from normal to "enhanced," meaning additional monitoring or resources may be required, and the Emergency Operations Center staff may require additional support.

There are more than 95,000 confirmed new coronavirus cases worldwide, including more than 150 in the United States as of Wednesday afternoon, according to Johns Hopkins data. More than 3,200 people worldwide have died from the illness.

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The new coronavirus was first detected in December in Wuhan, China.

Symptoms are fever, cough, difficulty breathing and pneumonia, resulting in anything from mild respiratory issues to death.

To be tested, one must be hospitalized with unexplained acute lower respiratory symptoms; have clear symptoms of infection after traveling to a "geographic region of concern"; or be in contact with someone who tested positive for the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In addition to proposing the $50 million transfer for the response to the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, Hogan said he plans to submit a $10 million supplemental budget request later this week.

The new coronavirus spreads between those closer than 6 feet apart through respiratory droplets when a person who is infected coughs or sneezes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Maryland health officials recommend hand washing as a way to protect against the spread of viruses in general, including influenza and the new coronavirus. People should also keep their hands away from their eyes and mouth, stay home when sick and cough or sneeze into a tissue.

Those with chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer appear to be at higher risk of infection, according to authorities.

Hogan encouraged people to visit health.maryland.com/coronavirus or call 211 to connect with a helpline representative immediately to get additional information and resources.