MD Coronavirus Totals: 12,308 Confirmed Cases, 463 Deaths

MARYLAND — The Maryland Health Department on Saturday reported 38 more coronavirus deaths and 736 new cases, bringing the state's death toll to 463 and the total number of cases to 12,308.

Earlier this week, the state began counting probable coronavirus deaths — which are deaths of people who likely had the new coronavirus, but died without being tested. Previously, deaths were only counted if they tested positive for the disease. The probable death toll now stands at 71.

COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and has since infected more than 2,273,900 people and killed more than 156,000 around the world, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.

Maryland reported its first three coronavirus cases on March 5. As of Saturday morning, 53,062 people have tested negative for the disease, 2,757 have been hospitalized, and 771 have been released from isolation.

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Compared to the state's other jurisdictions, Prince George's County has the highest number of confirmed cases. The total: 3,160.

Second on the list is Montgomery County, with a total of 2,404 positive infections.

Behind Montgomery County is Baltimore County and Baltimore City with 1,664 and 1,378 known cases, respectively.

The jurisdiction with the fewest number of confirmed cases is Garrett County. The county — which hasn't reported a single new case in more than a week — has four positive infections.

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Jurisdiction

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Age And Gender

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Race

A majority of people with COVID-19 will exhibit mild to moderate symptoms — such as fever, fatigue, and dry cough — and can recover at home, according to state health officials. Despite that, Gov. Larry Hogan is urging Marylanders to take the virus seriously.

To slow the transmission of the virus, face coverings are now required in retail establishments and on public transportation in Maryland. Those who are younger than 9 years old don't have to wear them in retail environments.

The order follows the CDC's advising that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing is difficult.

Cloth face coverings are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators, the CDC says. Those critical supplies are reserved for first responders and other frontline health care workers.

Bandanas, t-shirts, and scarves are all viable substitutes for the public.

Per CDC guidelines, cloth face coverings should:

• Fit snugly, but comfortably, against the side of the face
• Be secured with ear loops or ties
• Have multiple layers of fabric
• Allow for breathing without restriction
• Be able to get laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

Those who suspect they have the virus should immediately isolate themselves from others and call their health care provider. They can also use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's self checker tool.

In Maryland, a doctor's order is currently required to get tested. The Maryland Department of Health has opened testing sites at these locations:

• Anne Arundel County — Glen Burnie
• Baltimore City — Pimlico
• Baltimore County — Timonium
• Charles County — Waldorf
• Harford County — Forest Hill
• Montgomery County — White Oak
• Prince George's County — Landover

Testing capacity has increased by 5,000 percent in the past month, Hogan said this week, adding Maryland plans to triple its current capacity so it can test up to 10,000 people a day.

More information about coronavirus testing and symptoms is available from the Maryland Department of Health.

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