MD Coronavirus Hospitalizations Drop Below 400

MARYLAND — Hospitalizations related to the coronavirus are below 400 for the first time since March in Maryland, state health officials reported Wednesday. Currently 398 people are hospitalized with the virus, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

As officials gauge the spread and severity of the virus, the number of people hospitalized is one of the key metrics.

Here is a look at that and some other critical data points in Maryland for the past few months:

• July 8 — 398 hospitalized; 136 in intensive care; 3,149 deaths
• June 8 — 979 hospitalized; 392 in intensive care; 2,653 deaths
• May 8 — 1,674 hospitalized; 571 in intensive care; 1,453 deaths

According to the Maryland Department of Health, there are 70,861 confirmed cases of the virus as of Wednesday, July 8.

Officials say 10 percent of Maryland's population has been tested for the coronavirus as of Wednesday. More than 220 testing sites statewide are administering tests for COVID-19.

"We have to remain vigilant every single day," Gov. Larry Hogan said on the C4 Show Wednesday morning on WBAL Radio, stating Delaware, D.C., Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia were seeing upticks in cases.

"All of our surrounding states are spiking. We're sort of an island right now," Hogan said. "Maryland is the lone state that so far, we're able to hold it off."

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

Maryland has reported 3,149 deaths from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

Of those, more than 62 percent are in congregate living facilities such as nursing homes.

Coronavirus in Maryland: A Snapshot

Here is a look at Maryland's coronavirus numbers as of Wednesday, July 8:

Maryland Hospitalizations, Deaths

Coronavirus At Group Living Facilities

Coronavirus data from congregate living facilities is updated weekly on Wednesdays.

Here are the numbers as of Wednesday, July 8:

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Jurisdiction

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Age And Gender

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Race And Ethnicity

Contracting the coronavirus can result in mild to severe illness. Older adults and those with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart or lung disease, are the most at risk of complications from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These symptoms of coronavirus can appear two to 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Those who have trouble breathing, feel persistent pain or pressure in the chest, experience new confusion, have the inability to wake or stay awake or have bluish lips or face should get medical attention immediately, federal health officials say.

While there is no vaccine for the illness, authorities advise staying away from those who are sick, keeping 6 feet of distance between yourself and others, washing hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and wearing a cloth face covering when around others.

This week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approved a $1.6 billion contract with Novavax of Gaithersburg to manufacture 100 million doses of a possible COVID-19 vaccine.

See Also:

• Coronavirus Deaths Slow To Lowest Rate Since March: Governor
• Elkridge Man Spends 31 Days In Hospital Battling Coronavirus