Latest Coronavirus Closures, Updates In Montgomery County

BETHESDA, MD — Developments in the new coronavirus outbreak continue to unfold rapidly in Montgomery County, now that the number of local cases has risen to six (the state has 12 as of Friday morning).

Patch will be running regular updates as more information is released. But, given the fluidity of the situation, it can be tough to keep track of the latest information.

While Patch continues to cover all angles of COVID-19, our reporters want to ensure that you can also get the latest local information all in one place.

Below, you'll find everything you need to know about the new coronavirus — from the total number of confirmed cases and disease safety tips to school and facility closures and event cancellations.

COVID-19 Explained

Coronavirus refers to a family of different viruses. For instance, the common cold is a coronavirus. So is SARS. COVID-19, however, is a novel strain.

"Just because it's new, does not mean it's not something we're not entirely familiar with in terms of the family of other viruses within the coronavirus family," Dr. Travis Gayles, the county's health officer and chief of Public Health Services, said.

According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning that they can spread between people and animals. In humans, symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, coughing, and shortness of breath.

Gayles said the disease can spread: through the air by coughing and sneezing; through close personal contact (i.e., shaking hands); touching a contaminated object or surface and touching your mouse, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and, rarely, through feces.

The virus first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and has since infected more than 124,000 people and killed more than 5,000 people worldwide. In America, authorities have reported at least 1,700 cases and 40 fatalities.

Even as the virus continues to spread, health officials say that the majority of infected people will exhibit more mild symptoms. Those who are most at risk are individuals with compromised immune systems and the elderly.

Rest assured: there's a number of tried-and-true preventive measures people can take to protect themselves (more on that later).

Confirmed Cases in Montgomery County

As of Friday morning, there are six COVID-19 patients from Montgomery County. State officials have identified them as:

• A woman in her 50s (infected while on an Egyptian cruise ship on the Nile River)
• A married couple in their 70s (infected while on an Egyptian cruise ship on the Nile River)
• A man in his 60s (infected while traveling overseas)
• A woman in her 60s (infected while on an Egyptian cruise ship on the Nile River)
• A man in his 20s (recently traveled to Spain)

A volunteer first responder in Montgomery has also tested positive for the virus. But Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said that he lives in Prince William County, Virginia.

Hogan said the state of Maryland is working closely with the Virginia and D.C. health departments. Both the fire station and fire crew in Montgomery County have reportedly been cleared by a top health official.

"I can report to you that our state's chief epidemiologist has cleared both the fire station and the fire crew where the patient volunteers, and has no major concerns regarding potential risk to the community," Hogan said.

What Preventative Measures to Take

Most obviously: avoid close contact with people who are sick; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and stay home when you feel under the weather.

Gayles also advised people to cover their cough or sneeze with a tissue and promptly throw it in the trash, clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning sprays or wipes, and wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not readily available, Gayles said people can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent of alcohol.

As for buying face masks? Don't bother.

People should only be using face masks if they are symptomatic or ill, according to Gayles.

In the event that people are sick with any respiratory virus and need to self-quarantine, county health officials recommend that they build a preparedness kit for their home.

Some useful items to have include:

• Pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants, and cough drops
• Thermometer
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer,
• Non-perishable food
• Facial tissues, other paper products
• Extended supple of prescription medications
• Diapers or pet supplies (if needed)

Schools, Recreation Centers, Libraries Closed

All Montgomery County Public Schools will be closed from March 16 to 27.

"Over that two-week period, we are going to focus on providing extensive cleaning in all of our schools and facilities," MCPS Deputy Superintendent Monifa McKnight said at a press conference Thursday.

McKnight said MCPS has "planned to provide resources that are created specifically for elementary, middle, and high school students" and will be "sharing through our various communication methods exactly what those resources will be and how they will be accessed by all of our students."

McKnight also said that students and parents should frequently visit the MCPS webpage for more information.

Is Spring Break canceled? For now, no. So breathe easy.

During Thursday night's press conference, school administrators said they didn't know how they would use MCPS' make-up days. But the goal is to share a plan with the public by Tuesday.

"We have days printed on our calendar that we use as make-up and there's a whole system that we know well about how that works," MCPS Superintendent Jack Smith said. "So I just want people not to cancel any plans right now. We will be back in touch with you soon, but let us think through this and figure out what makes the most sense given where we are right now today because — as Mr. Elrich said — everything has been changing hourly."

Starting March 16, all recreation centers and libraries will be closed.

Beginning March 16, Montgomery Parks is:

• Closing all indoor park facilities to the public
• Canceling all program, classes, and events taking place in parks and at park facilities through March 31
• Crediting funds for people registered for winter classes, programs, rentals, and events (or who have permitted park facilities) through March 31

County Takes More Proactive Measures To Stem Virus' Spread

In an effort to contain COVID-19, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is now urging residents to postpone or cancel large-scale events and limit public gatherings to 250 people.

"Two-hundred fifty is still a lot of people, but we've got to make sure that we minimize the social contact to the greatest degree possible," Elrich said at a press conference Thursday night.

Here's what else to expect:

• Starting March 16, the county government will move to a telework schedule for all employees who can work remotely
  • Those who have to interact with the public directly will practice social distancing (by keeping a distance of roughly six feet)
• No school for at least 2 weeks for MCPS students
• Park and recreation facilities and libraries closed
• Winter programs, classes, rentals canceled

"(T)hat does not mean you're going to see everyone walking around in public in hazmat suits and protection gear," Gayles said. "What it means is we recognize that dynamics have changed and we need to be a little more proactive in terms of implementing strategies to address that."

Event Cancellations

Gaithersburg officials have canceled its St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade was scheduled for Saturday, March 14 at RIO Lakefront.

Finnegan's Wake Irish Pub says its annual St. Patrick's Day street festival has been called off.

In an interview with Patch, pub owner and manager Vanessa Laurin said people are still welcome to celebrate inside.

"We will have a party, just not an outdoor festival," Laurin said.

Think: live music, bottomless brunch, and an ensemble of pipes and bagpipe players from the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.

Public Worship Services Canceled

Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington has canceled services for two weeks in response to concerns over the new coronavirus. Budde made the announcement Wednesday, March 11, in a letter to congregants and clergy. She oversees 88 congregations in Maryland and Washington, D.C., serving about 38,000 people.

In the interim, Budde invited congregants to access virtual worship services online at Washington National Cathedral on Sunday, March 15 and Sunday, March 22. Services can also be accessed on the Cathedral's Facebook page.

Check with your local synagogue, mosque, or place of worship for updates.

What Else Can Residents Do?

Besides staying home and contacting their health care provider while sick, residents can sign up for public health and environmental alerts under Alert Montgomery, the official emergency communications service for the county. Event updates, warnings, and instructions can be sent to any device.

In addition to signing up for Alert Montgomery, health officials said residents can learn more about the virus by calling the county's Disease Control Unit at 240-777-1755 or the Maryland Department of Health at 410-767-6700 (during regular hours) or at 410-795-7365 (after hours).