Over 50K Marylanders Test Positive For Coronavirus: Officials

MARYLAND — More than 50,000 Marylanders have tested positive for the coronavirus, state health officials reported Friday. Over 233,000 have tested negative, according to authorities.

There are only 10 states in the United States at this point that have over 50,000 confirmed cases: California, Florida, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Effective at 5 p.m. Friday, Gov. Larry Hogan will allow outdoor dining at restaurants to resume. Restaurants have been closed to indoor dining since March 16.

Pools that are outside may also open and youth sports can start up, as Maryland rounds out its first phase of recovery from the virus. Two jurisdictions are hanging back — Montgomery and Prince George's counties will reopen Monday, June 1. Baltimore also remains under a stay-at-home order, although its mayor is allowing outdoor dining effective at 5 p.m. Friday.

On Friday the governor issued two more coronavirus emergency orders, extending a ban on utility shutoffs and residential late fees, and allowing breweries, wineries, and distilleries to provide service in outdoor seating areas.

EXTENDING MORATORIUM ON UTILITY SHUTOFFS AND LATE FEES: Hogan has extended his order prohibiting electric, gas, water, sewage, phone, cable TV, and internet service provider companies from shutting off any residential customer’s service, or charging any residential late fees. This order remains in effect through July 1.

Read the governor’s emergency order.

EXPANDING SERVICES PROVIDED BY BREWERIES, WINERIES, AND DISTILLERIES. Governor Hogan has issued an emergency order expanding services by state-licensed manufacturers of alcohol, including breweries, wineries, and distilleries:

• Allowing the service of alcoholic beverages in outdoor seating areas, consistent with the same Department of Health directives for restaurants and bars.

• Allowing third-party shipment to consumers by common carriers, such as FedEx or UPS.

Read the governor’s emergency order.

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

In the past day, Maryland health officials have reported 1,279 new cases of the virus.

Statewide 1,296 people are hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Friday morning, down 38 from the day before, according to the Maryland Department of Health. Admissions also decreased on the intensive care unit day-to-day by four patients.

Officials say 2,348 Marylanders have died from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus; lab results are pending for 118 others as of Friday.

Coronavirus in Maryland: A Snapshot

Here is a look at Maryland's coronavirus numbers as of Friday, May 29:

Coronavirus At Group Living Facilities

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

Here are the latest numbers of cases at Friday, May 29:

Maryland 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
• Over 10K Coronavirus Tests A Day Conducted In MD: Governor
• 3 Places To Test For Coronavirus, No Symptoms Needed: MD Health
• 'Significant Virus Circulating Here': White House Expert On MD