Coronavirus In MD: 4,045​ Cases, 91 Deaths; New Testing Sites

MARYLAND — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Maryland has surpassed 4,000, state health officials reported on Monday, while the death toll from the disease has topped 90. As officials work to stem the spread of the disease, more testing sites will open in three counties and continue in others.

COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and has since infected more than 1,289,380 people and killed more than 70,590 around the world, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.

Maryland reported its first coronavirus case on March 5. As of Monday morning, 4,045 people have been infected by the virus in Maryland. That's an increase of 436 confirmed cases, or nearly 12 percent, since Sunday when the state had 3,609 cases.

Ninety-one people have died from COVID-19, according to the Maryland Department of Health. That's an increase of 24 deaths, or nearly 36 percent.

Health officials say the number of cases will rise as more people get tested.

The Maryland Department of Health will continue to offer drive-through COVID-19 testing at vehicle emissions inspection program sites throughout this week and expand the number of sites available for testing appointments. A total of five VEIP testing sites will open this week, including new sites at the Columbia VEIP in Howard County and White Oak VEIP in Montgomery County.

Additionally, sites at the Bel Air VEIP in Harford County, Glen Burnie VEIP in Anne Arundel County, and Waldorf VEIP in Charles County will remain open this week, officials said in a news release.

To qualify for testing at a VEIP site, people must:

• Meet testing criteria as determined by a licensed health-care provider.
• Obtain an order for testing from a health-care provider.
• Register online and make an appointment at a test site.

For information and resources regarding COVID-19, visit coronavirus.maryland.gov. For more information about University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health, visit umuch.org/VEIPtesting.

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Prince George's County has 916 confirmed coronavirus cases, the most out of any other jurisdiction in the state.

Next is Montgomery County with 793 — followed by Baltimore County with 648 cases and Baltimore City with 435 cases.

The county with the fewest cases is Dorchester. Only one person has tested positive for COVID-19, according to state data released Monday.

Since Maryland reported its first coronavirus case, more than 29,000 people have been tested for the disease. As of Monday, 25,572 tests came back negative.

A majority of people will exhibit mild to moderate symptoms — such as fever, fatigue, and dry cough — and can recover at home. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't take the virus seriously, state and federal health officials said.

There are a number of effective measures you can take to stem the spread of COVID-19. That includes washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, avoiding large gatherings, staying home when you feel sick, and maintaining a distance of six feet from others.

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