MD Coronavirus: 797 Deaths After Biggest 1-Day Loss; 17,776 Cases

MARYLAND — Maryland Department of Health officials say 1,408 people are currently hospitalized in Maryland with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, which is a decrease of 16 from 1,425 on Friday. The past 24 hours had the highest single-day death toll from the virus with 74 fatalities, authorities said.

So far, 797 people have died from the virus in Maryland, up from 723 the day before. Saturday morning's update from the state health shows 17,766 people have tested positive for the new coronavirus, an increase of 1,150 in the past 24 hours. The numbers are expected to increase as testing ramps up across the state, one of the elements Gov. Larry Hogan has said was key for the state to begin lifting bans on gatherings and stay-at-home orders.

So far, the Maryland Department of Health is reporting 71,357 negative test results for the virus.

The number of hospitalizations — meaning those currently in the hospital with COVID-19 — went down earlier in the week, but it increased in the past 24 hours by 142 people.

Of those currently in hospitals, 870 patient are in acute care bed and 538 are in intensive care beds.

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Jurisdiction

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To determine when restrictions can be eased, Maryland officials will focus on the rate of hospitalizations and the number of patients admitted to ICU, Gov. Larry Hogan said Friday. If these numbers continue to plateau, Maryland could be ready to begin the recovery in early May.

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Age, Gender, Race

"As we begin to reopen, it will continue to be important for Marylanders, particularly older and more vulnerable Marylanders, to continue to stay home as much as they can," Hogan said Friday as he outlined phases of the state's recovery plan. "All Marylanders should continue to avoid crowds and gatherings, and they should continue to practice physical distancing and to take precautions to protect themselves, their families, and their fellow Marylanders. Together, we are going to defeat this virus, and together, the State of Maryland will return stronger and better than ever."

To slow the transmission of the virus, The Maryland Department of Health and local health departments have opened testing sites at these locations, which require a doctor's order and an appointment:

The Maryland Department of Health and local health departments have opened testing sites at these locations, which require a doctor's order and an appointment:

• Annapolis — Parole Health Center
• Anne Arundel County — Glen Burnie VEIP Station

• Baltimore City — Pimlico Race Course
• Baltimore City — Rawlings Conservatory at Druid Hill Park
• Baltimore County — Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium
• Charles County — Waldorf VEIP Station
• Harford County — Forest Hill VEIP Station
• Montgomery County — Wheaton Library and Community Recreation Center
• Montgomery County — White Oak VEIP Station
• Prince George's County — FedEx Field in Landover

Three sites above were added this week — the Parole walk-up testing initiative opened Monday, while the Rawlings Conservatory site, which also allows walk-up testing, was announced Tuesday. The Wheaton drive-thru testing site opened Wednesday.

Next week, several others will come online, when Germantown, Owings Mills and Randallstown will open up testing centers.

Related:

• MD Reopening Could Start In Early May, Hogan Says: Coronavirus
• Baltimore County Adds Testing Sites, Offering Coronavirus Tests 5 Days A Week
• Barbershops, Salons Can Reopen For Essential Workers: MD Governor
• 4 Ways To Make Face Masks As New MD Order Takes Effect

• MD Buys 500K Coronavirus Tests From South Korea: Hogan