Maryland Cremation Services owner Dorota Marshall and her husband, Sean Marshall, prepared coronavirus victims for cremation May 11 in Millersville. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Maryland marked a milestone Thursday in its battle against the coronavirus. A total of 3,001 people in the state have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, state health officials reported Thursday morning.
“More than 65,000 Marylanders have been infected, and more than 3,000 Marylanders have now lost their lives to this deadly virus," Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement Thursday morning. "We mourn each and every loss."
About 62.6 percent of those who died were residents of nursing homes, group homes and assisted living facilities, state data shows.
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The age group with the highest number of deaths is those 80 and older, who make up 46 percent. Those 60 to 79 years old account for 40.4 percent of the state's coronavirus deaths.
Here is demographic information about Maryland's coronavirus cases and deaths:
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Courtesy of Maryland Department of Health.Courtesy of Maryland Department of Health.Courtesy of Maryland Department of Health.
There are 65,777 confirmed cases of the virus in the state, the Maryland Department of Health said Thursday, an increase of 440 cases in the past day.
“While yesterday the United States saw a record number of COVID-19 cases, in Maryland, our key health metrics continue to trend in a positive direction," Hogan said Thursday, noting hospitalizations from the virus were at the lowest level in 83 days.
There are 511 people hospitalized in Maryland with coronavirus Thursday, data shows.
“Now more than ever, as we begin to come into contact with more people, we must all continue to remain vigilant," Hogan said. "Our health and economic recovery depends on all of us continuing to exercise personal responsibility in order to keep ourselves, our family members, our neighbors, and our coworkers safe. We encourage all Marylanders to get tested, wear a mask and practice physical distancing."
Maryland has almost 200 sites available for coronavirus testing, according to the governor.
About 8.3 percent of the population in Maryland has been tested, officials reported Thursday.
To prevent the spread of the virus, the Maryland Department of Health announced it is launching a mask campaign to educate people about how best to wear face coverings and encourage their use.
"To keep the curve flat and prevent a second wave of infections, we need everyone to do their part," Deputy Secretary for Public Health Fran Phillips said in a statement Thursday. "Practice social distancing and wear a face covering in public spaces. By doing so, you can help prevent the inadvertent infection of others."
The mask campaign will use the hashtag #MasksOnMaryland.
Courtesy of Maryland Department of Health.
“As we continue to safely reopen, it is important to remember that this crisis is still not behind us," Hogan said. "While we still have miles to go on our road to recovery, I have no doubt that the people of our great state will continue setting an example for the rest of the nation."
On Thursday, the governor reported the state hit a new low in its daily positivity rate, at 4.38 percent Wednesday.
The state has conducted more than 603,000 tests as of Thursday, and the statewide positivity rate is 5.05 percent over a seven-day period, data shows.
Table by Patch. Source: Maryland Department of Health.
Coronavirus In Group Living Facilities
Every Wednesday, the Maryland Department of Health reports the latest data from congregate living facilities. Here is the information as of Wednesday, June 24:
