MD Coronavirus: No Parades, Schools Close, Feeding Kids, Scams

MARYLAND — Developments in the new coronavirus outbreak continue to unfold rapidly in Maryland, which is under a state of emergency with all public schools closed for two weeks as the number of cases has risen to 17 as of Friday. To avoid a fatal outbreak at a nursing home, like the one in Washington state, visitors face restrictions at Maryland care facilities, prisons and MVA offices. There have been no deaths reported in the state, so far, linked to the virus.

Nationwide, the coronavirus has caused 41 deaths as of Friday, according to the Centers for Disease Control; no deaths from the disease have been reported in Maryland. A total of 1,629 cases have been confirmed in the United States.

Here's a recap of the sweeping changes that affected many aspects of life in the past week, from schools planning how to feed children not in class to Johns Hopkins Hospital creating a much-needed coronavirus test.

March 15 Updates

The Maryland General Assembly will work through the weekend ― and under extraordinary circumstances. Members have been asked to dismiss their staffs as legislative leaders imposed a mandatory telework policy for all nonessential personnel Thursday afternoon. Access to the State House complex will be limited. Read more: Coronavirus In Maryland: Impact On MD General Assembly

Doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore have created their own coronavirus test they hope will help address the need for more testing. Read more: Johns Hopkins Hospital Creates Coronavirus Test

The Harford Mall has canceled or postponed all events, including its Easter bunny photo shoots, as a precaution. Read more: Harford Mall Cancels Events Including Easter Bunny Photos

Workers at the White Marsh Mall are disinfecting high-traffic areas, mall officials said. Mall management reported it is working with housekeeping personnel to clean more frequently with a disinfectant that is known to eradicate viruses. Read more: White Marsh Mall Ramps Up Cleaning And Disinfecting Efforts

• Maryland Hall Closes Due To Coronavirus, Events Cancelled
• Latest Coronavirus Closures, Updates In Montgomery County
• UPDATE: Rockville St. Patrick's Day Festival Called Off
• Coronavirus Response: Baysox Push Back Start Of 2020 Season
• Spring Break Meals, Snacks Available To Howard County Students
• State Of Emergency Declared In Annapolis Due To Coronavirus
• Late Fees Waived, Water Shutoffs Suspended Due To Outbreak: WSSC
• Coronavirus Charity Scams Surface In Maryland, Authorities Warn
• Baltimore Public Schools To Close, Meals Continue
• HCPS To Serve Meals At 13 Locations During School Closures

March 13 And 14 Updates

All Maryland public schools have been ordered closed for two weeks, and the National Guard has been activated to help fight the coronavirus, Gov. Larry Hogan said Thursday. Read more: MD Coronavirus: Public Schools To Close, Spring Break Changes

The St. Patrick's Day Parade in Baltimore has been canceled. Originally, it was slated to be held Sunday, March 15. All affiliated activities, including the Shamrock 5K, are also canceled. Read more: Baltimore St. Patrick's Parade Postponed To Ensure Health, Safety

• Gaithersburg St. Patrick's Day Parade Canceled
• Coronavirus Cancels St. Patrick's Day Parade In Ocean City

In the hopes of helping businesses affected by the economic impact of the new coronavirus, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot announced he will extend business-related tax filing deadlines until June 1. Read more: Coronavirus Leads To MD Business Tax Filing Deadline Extension

A volunteer first responder in Montgomery County and a county resident in his 20s are among the latest patients to test positive for the new coronavirus, according to Gov. Larry Hogan. Read more: Montgomery Man In 20s, First Responder Have Coronavirus: Hogan

• Baltimore Co. Opens Coronavirus Hotline, Closing Senior Centers
• Towson University Stops Face-To-Face Courses For Nearly 4 Weeks
• Coronavirus Closes Archbishop Spalding High School In Severn
• Bel Air Cautions Public About Large Events
• HCPS Expands On School Closure Guidance
• MoCo Coronavirus: Schools To Be Cleaned, Gatherings Limited
• Upper Chesapeake To Offer Drive-Through Coronavirus Tests With Referral
• BCPS Issues More Guidance On School Events, Closure
• Coronavirus Spurs State Of Emergency For Anne Arundel County

March 12 Updates

Maryland businesses and schools need to prepare for extended closures because of the coronavirus, and organizers of large events should delay or cancel their plans, the governor said. Wednesday night the state's total number of cases increased to 12 after with another patient each in Montgomery and Prince George's counties, and the first coronavirus case in Baltimore County. Read more: MD Coronavirus: 12 On Cruise Ship; MVA, Nursing Home Changes

"Over the past several weeks we have been saying while we are hoping for the best, we are actively preparing for the worst," Hogan said.

Related: Interactive Map: Latest US Coronavirus Cases

The governor said coronavirus has a fatality rate 10 times higher than the flu; so far 42 flu deaths have been confirmed in Maryland this season. Hogan has asked care facilities to make online communication and phone calls available to residents in care centers, and screen staffers who may have traveled overseas.

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March 11 Updates:

Anne Arundel County health officials are investigating the case of a Montana resident who visited the area and has tested positive for the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Gov. Larry Hogan said the case is counted as a Montana coronavirus patient, who is in isolation. As a precaution, county school officials have made plans to teach students via TV and online if buildings must close. Read more: Anne Arundel Coronavirus Case Linked To Montana Patient

The first Baltimore County resident has tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to the governor. Officials said he is not hospitalized. The man in his 60s had worked at the recent American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in Washington, D.C., according to a statement Gov. Larry Hogan issued Wednesday night. Read more: First Coronavirus Case In Baltimore County Confirmed

• Turkey Disputes Claim About Harford Resident With Coronavirus
• Harford Community College To Close Amid Coronavirus Concerns
• Coronavirus Response: Towson Cancels Classes, Sends Students Home
• Coronavirus Prompts Travel Ban For Howard County Employees
• Coronavirus Concerns Prompt Officials To Cancel Public Hearing
• No Field Trips, Athletic Events Out Of State: HCPSS Officials
• Coronavirus Prompts Travel Ban For Howard County Employees
• No Fans At Sporting Events, Field Trips Canceled At AACPS
• Coronavirus Leads AACC To Extend Spring Break, Use Online Classes

March 10 Updates:

Asian American students and parents are being targeted, harassed and bullied amid fears over the new coronavirus, a Montgomery County Public Schools spokeswoman told Patch. In an interview Tuesday, MCPS spokeswoman Gboyinde Onijala said students and their families have both seen and been victims of bullying in the wake of the growing coronavirus outbreak, which includes five Montgomery County residents. Read more: Asian American Families Targeted Over Coronavirus: Schools

The University System of Maryland is advising all students to prepare to remain off campus for at least two weeks after spring break. It will not be an extended vacation — students will be expected to take their classes remotely, according to authorities. The University System of Maryland spring break runs from Saturday, March 14, to Sunday, March 22. Read more: UMD Tells Students To Prepare For 2 Weeks Off Campus After Break

Visits should be restricted to essential at Maryland long-term care and retirement communities to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Gov. Larry Hogan said. To avoid a fatal outbreak at a nursing home, like one in Washington state, visitors are being restricted at Maryland care facilities. Read more: Visits Limited At MD Long-Term Care Facilities Over Coronavirus

A fifth Montgomery County resident has tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing the state's total to nine confirmed cases, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday. Read more: Coronavirus Update: Fifth Montgomery Co. Resident Tests Positive

Two new presumptive positive cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Prince George's County, according to County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks. This brings the total number of positive cases reported in the county to three, and the statewide total to eight as of Tuesday. Read more: Coronavirus: 2 New Presumptive Positive Cases In PG County

An 86-year-old Harford County woman who tested positive for the novel coronavirus became ill with the novel coronavirus after a trip to Turkey, the first case in the world stemming from that country, authorities said. Read more: Harford Woman With New Coronavirus Traveled In Turkey: Gov. Hogan

All cases of the new coronavirus in Maryland so far have been linked to travel out of state, Gov. Larry Hogan said March 9. The first five traveled overseas, while a sixth person in Maryland contracted the novel coronavirus out of state, he reported. As of Tuesday afternoon, both the governor's office and the Maryland Department of Health said the state has eight confirmed cases of COVID-10 grows. Read more: MD Governor On New Coronavirus: Situation Will 'Escalate Rapidly'

Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency on March 5 in Maryland, directing the Maryland Department of Health and Maryland Emergency Management Agency to "ramp up" coordination among state and local agencies and "fast-track" the state's response to the illness. Read more: MD Governor Declares State Of Emergency

The Maryland Department of Health labs in Baltimore began testing for the new coronavirus, the governor's office reported March 3. In-state tests will get authorities results more quickly. Read more: New Coronavirus Tests Ordered In Maryland: Health Department

A vaccine for the new coronavirus probably won't be available to the public for at least another year, a Montgomery County congressional leader said. Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin visited the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda on Friday to speak with scientists working on a vaccine for the virus, known as COVID-19. Read more: Coronavirus Vaccine Unlikely To Be Available Until 2021: Lawmaker

How Coronavirus Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. The new coronavirus spreads between those closer than 6 feet apart through respiratory droplets when a person who is infected coughs or sneezes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

Best practices to avoid the virus include:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.