Over 10K Coronavirus Tests A Day Conducted In MD: Governor

MARYLAND — The day after Gov. Larry Hogan announced he planned to lift restrictions in Maryland on some outdoor activities, the state reported nearly 1,300 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus. It also added more than 11,000 negative test results in the past day.

The results reflect the ramp-up in testing that is taking place statewide. Maryland has nearly 100 sites established for people to get tested for the coronavirus, Hogan said Thursday morning.

“Each day, we are conducting more tests and offering more places for Marylanders to get tested,” Hogan said in a statement. Maryland has conducted 316,797 tests as of Thursday morning, he said.

CVS has added 13 new testing locations and will now offer coronavirus tests at 30 sites statewide.

"I want to thank CVS Health for working closely with us to expand their testing options across the state, and we continue to encourage all of our nearly 1,200 licensed pharmacies to offer testing," Hogan said.

Maryland met its goal to be able to test 10,000 Marylanders each day, Hogan said Wednesday, and a major testing site at Six Flags America in Prince George's County will open Friday to allow even more testing to occur.

See a list of testing sites in Maryland.

Effective at 5 p.m. Friday, Hogan said outdoor dining would be permitted at restaurants, and pools that are outside may open, among other activities. Social distancing guidance was built into each announcement the governor made regarding the easing of restrictions.

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

Officials say 49,709 Marylanders have tested positive for the new coronavirus, an increase of 1,286 in the past day.

In Maryland 225,149 people have tested negative for the virus, authorities said Thursday morning, an addition of 11,517 since Wednesday.

The state began publishing positivity rates on the Maryland Department of Health website.

Coronavirus-Related Hospitalizations, ICU Patients Down

Statewide 1,334 people are hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Thursday morning, down four patients compared with the day before, according to the Maryland Department of Health. Admissions also decreased on the intensive care unit day-to-day by nine patients.

Officials say 2,307 Marylanders have died from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus; lab results are pending for 121 others as of Thursday.

Coronavirus in Maryland: A Snapshot

Here is a look at Maryland's coronavirus numbers as of Thursday, May 28:

Coronavirus At Group Living Facilities

Gov. Larry Hogan said at the end of April that universal testing would be required at nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the state.

"We will complete distribution of universal testing for nursing home residents and staff this month," Hogan said in a May 20 statement.

Of those who have the virus in Maryland, congregate living facility residents and staff account for 18.77 percent of cases and 55.9 percent of deaths, data released Thursday shows.

Here are the latest numbers of cases at Thursday, May 28:

Data about coronavirus at congregate living facilities is updated weekly on Wednesdays, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

A week ago, the governor ordered universal testing at all state correctional and juvenile facilities.

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Jurisdiction

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Age And Gender

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Race And Ethnicity

Coronavirus Symptoms

Symptoms of the new coronavirus can appear two to 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which lists the following as possible indicators of the illness: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.

Health officials say most people with the virus will experience mild symptoms and can recover at home. Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, according to the CDC.

People should call 911 and seek immediate medical attention if they have trouble breathing, bluish lips or face, new confusion or inability to arouse and/or persistent pain or pressure in the chest.

See Also:

• MD Reopening Restaurants For Outdoor Dining, Stage 2 Nears: Hogan
• PG County Ready To Reopen Friday With Some Restrictions
• 3 Places To Test For Coronavirus, No Symptoms Needed: MD Health
• PG County Hospital Expands Ability To Treat Coronavirus
• 'Significant Virus Circulating Here': White House Expert On MD
• What MD Coronavirus Data Shows Over 4 Weeks
• Pharmacists Begin Coronavirus Testing, MD Death Toll Up