3 New Coronavirus Cases Identified In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Three new confirmed cases of new coronavirus have emerged in Howard County. They involve a man in his 40s who is on dialysis in the hospital; a woman in her 70s who is now self-isolating at home; and another man in his 50s with underlying health conditions who also is self-isolating at home. This brings the total cases in Howard County to four.

"We need to remain vigilant, but calm, and continue practicing social distancing,” said County Executive Calvin Ball in a statement. “The most important thing you can do to help your neighbor and your loved ones is to follow this guidance and stay home as much as possible. We will only be successful in slowing this virus if we work together.”

Dr. Maura Rossman, Howard County health officer, reminded residents that the spread of the virus can be limited by employing social distancing practices such as staying home as much as possible and practicing healthy habits.

“If you do get sick, please stay home if you have mild illness. If you develop more serious symptoms or have underlying health conditions, please contact your medical provider for advice. If you are experiencing a health emergency, contact 911. We will get through this by working together, remaining calm, and following guidance from the health department and your medical provider,” said Rossman.

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The first confirmed case of the new coronavirus in Howard County was announced March 15. A woman who lives at the Lorien Elkridge nursing home tested positive for new coronavirus, health officials said Sunday night. She has an underlying health condition and was hospitalized.

Anyone who recently visited the nursing home should monitor themselves for symptoms of a respiratory infection, including fever, flu-like symptoms, cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, the agency said.

Maryland Department of Health says facilities that serve older adults must:

• Restrict access to essential visits only.
• Restrict activities and visitors with potential for exposure.
• Require all individuals entering the building to wash their hands at entry.
• Establish processes to allow remote communication for residents and others.
• Prohibit all staff from international travel.

Anyone with questions may call the toll-free MDH hotline at 1-877-319-1525. The call center is available every day from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Gov. Larry Hogan on Monday ordered unprecedented closures to protect the safety of people in Maryland from the spread of the new coronavirus. These drastic actions, which he admitted would be disruptive, are "absolutely necessary to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans," Hogan said.

The governor ordered the closure of bars, restaurants, movie theaters and gyms across the state, effective at 5 p.m. Monday. These businesses will then be closed until further notice to discourage the gathering of groups, in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, during the state of emergency.

Drive-thru, carryout and food delivery service can continue at restaurants. Food and beverage service providers in health care facilities may remain open, according to the executive order. It was one of several measures Hogan announced by executive order Monday.

Essential services such as gas stations, banks, pharmacies and grocery stores will remain open, Hogan said.

He also ordered health officials to open closed hospitals across Maryland to increase the state's capacity by 6,000 beds to meet the demand.

Currently, there are 9,000 beds available for acute care, Deputy Health Secretary Fran Phillips said at a news conference Monday morning. "We are close to needing a doubling of our current capacity," she said.

There are 138 centers up and operating to distribute meals to children across the state, and a federal waiver has allowed the state to grant children three meals and a snack each day, Hogan said.

Read more:

• MD Governor Orders Restaurants, Bars, Gyms, Theaters To Close
• MD Comptroller Requests $500M From State To Support Businesses
• Free Lunches, Breakfast Available To Howard County Students
• MD Grocery Stores Cut Hours For Coronavirus Cleaning, Restocking
• MD Casinos, Racetracks Ordered Closed By Gov. Hogan