Havre de Grace Gets Credit For Preventing Spread Of Coronavirus

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — There are 10 cases of the new coronavirus in Havre de Grace, according to the Harford County Health Department. That's the number of cases confirmed in the 21078 ZIP code as of Tuesday, April 21.

Harford County has 232 cases, one death and six suspected deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus as of Tuesday, according to authorities.

Dr. Faheem Younus, the chair of infectious diseases for Upper Chesapeake Health, said that he had theories, speaking at the County Council meeting Tuesday night by video conference about the state of the virus in Harford County.

"This virus likes when we are huddled together," Younus said, stating that in Havre de Grace, the population density was lower than in other areas where the disease was more concentrated.

"Perhaps people in Havre de Grace are more aligned with the governor's order and perhaps they are social distancing," Younus said. "I would like to give credit where it’s due."

Gov. Larry Hogan prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people and encouraged residents only to leave their homes for essential reasons, in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

Other cities where there were higher numbers of cases may have hosted large events or had people walking in or traveling in from outside, such as New York, Younus added.

While Harford County has not seen the numbers of coronavirus cases that other areas have in the National Capital Region, he said: "I still feel that it's important that we remain vigilant and prepared in both campuses — and that's what we are trying to do."

Both Harford Memorial Hospital and Upper Chesapeake Medical Center have command centers set up and are erecting patient pavilions outside each hospital in the event of a surge.

"If that time were to come where we were overflowing from our emergency room," Younus said, "this can become our front door."

See Also:

• MD Coronavirus: 10 Percent Of Patients Hospitalized, 584 Deaths
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• City Of Havre De Grace Announces Light Up Havre De Grace With Hope Campaign