Over 2K Dead In Maryland From Coronavirus: Health Department

MARYLAND — A total of 2,004 people have died from the coronavirus in Maryland, officials reported Wednesday. Residents of congregate living facilities account for 56 percent of deaths from the virus in the state, based on newly released data.

Test results are pending for another 119 people believed to have died from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

Among the more than 2,000 lives lost is a 15-year-old Baltimore County resident, the youngest person to die from the virus in Maryland.

The teen had symptoms of inflammatory syndrome, a rare illness that has infected children in other states, according to authorities.

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As of Wednesday morning, Maryland has reported 173,007 negative coronavirus test results.

Officials say 42,323 people have tested positive for the virus, an addition of 777 in the past day. From Monday to Tuesday, the state reported its largest day-t0-day increase, with 1,784 confirmed cases added.

The jump came as the governor announced plans to expand testing capacity later this week, with multiple sites to test those without symptoms who may have been exposed to the coronavirus. Gov. Larry Hogan also signed an executive order Tuesday giving pharmacists the authority to conduct coronavirus testing.

Hogan on Friday lifted the stay-at-home order statewide as he enacted what he called a "safer at home public health advisory," which local jurisdictions could modify accordingly.

Several jurisdictions — Charles, Montgomery and Prince George's counties, as well as Baltimore City — remain under stay-at-home orders. Baltimore Mayor Jack Young announced Wednesday morning that all events would be canceled through Aug. 31, including Fourth of July fireworks and Artscape, to slow the spread of the virus.

Statewide 1,410 people are hospitalized with the virus as of Wednesday morning, health officials say, down from 1,421 on Tuesday. On the intensive care unit, 539 patients are being treated for the coronavirus Wednesday, compared with 537 people Tuesday.

Since the first cases of the virus were confirmed March 5 in Maryland, officials say 7,393 people have been hospitalized due to the virus and 2,993 Marylanders have been released from isolation.

Coronavirus in Maryland: A Snapshot

Here is a look at Maryland's coronavirus numbers as of Wednesday, May 20:

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Jurisdiction

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Age And Gender

Maryland Coronavirus Cases By Race And Ethnicity

Coronavirus At Group Living Facilities

Data about coronavirus at congregate living facilities is updated weekly on Wednesdays, and the newly released information shows more than 200 staff members have tested positive for the virus since a week ago, and one more staff member at a congregate living facility has died from COVID-19, bringing the total staff deaths to 12. More than 500 additional residents have tested positive and more than 100 residents have died since a week ago, bringing the death toll in Maryland's congregate living facilities to 1,123.

Here are the numbers as of Wednesday, May 20:

Here is the data for the week of May 13:

Maryland has deployed teams to conduct universal testing for nursing home residents and staff and workers at Maryland’s two poultry processing plants. It has prioritized outbreaks and hot spots.

Testing Sites Across The State

The state is expanding coronavirus testing to include those without symptoms. See a list of testing sites in Maryland.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Symptoms of the new coronavirus can appear two to 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which lists the following as possible indicators of the illness: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.

The CDC has an online self-checker tool for those concerned they may have the virus.

Health officials say most people with the virus will experience mild symptoms and can recover at home. Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, according to the CDC.

People should call 911 and seek immediate medical attention if they have trouble breathing, bluish lips or face, new confusion or inability to arouse and/or persistent pain or pressure in the chest.

See Also:

• Death Of Teen Linked To Coronavirus: Baltimore County Officials
• Pharmacists Begin Coronavirus Testing, MD Death Toll Up
• 3 Places To Test For Coronavirus, No Symptoms Needed: MD Health
• Some Jurisdictions To Reopen As Hogan Lifts Stay-At-Home Order
• Montgomery County Extends Stay-At-Home Order For Residents Indefinitely
• PG County Stay-At-Home Order Extended By 2 Weeks
• Stay-At-Home Order Remains In Baltimore: Mayor