Harford County Coronavirus: New Nursing Home Outbreak Reported

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — There are more than 1,200 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Harford County. Among them are four current cases in a nursing home, according to state health data released this week.

Three staff members and one resident at Sterling Care Riverside in Belcamp have tested positive for the virus, the Maryland Department of Health reported. This is the only congregate living facility in Harford County experiencing current cases of the virus, officials said this week.

There are 1,279 cases overall of the virus in Harford County as of Sunday. A total of 62 people have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and test results are pending for three others, according to state health officials.

This week Gov. Larry Hogan touted the fact that more than half of Maryland's jurisdictions have met the state's goal of testing at least 10 percent of their residents. Harford County, however, is among those that have not reached this benchmark.

Harford County has tested 8.1 percent of its residents as of Sunday for coronavirus, data shows.

Why do you think people in Harford County are not getting tested for the coronavirus?

More than 220 testing sites statewide are checking people for COVID-19.

Here's the breakdown of Harford County coronavirus cases by ZIP code from the Harford County Health Department as of Sunday, July 12:

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.

To prevent the spread of the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying away from those who are sick; keeping 6 feet of distance between oneself and others; wearing a cloth face covering in public; washing hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol; and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

See Also:

• 15 Jurisdictions Meet Maryland's Coronavirus Testing Goal: Hogan
• Coronavirus Testing Record Set In Maryland As Cases Jump
• Coronavirus In Nursing Homes: Cases In Forest Hill, Bel Air