3 MoCo Coronavirus Patients Disease Free, 3 Others Stable: Update

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — While a total six people in Montgomery County were ill with the new coronavirus, the first three cases reported a week ago have recovered, said Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles late Friday. Those three patients are no longer contagious and have been cleared to return to their normal daily schedules, he said, while the other three coronavirus patients are stable and at home receiving supportive care.

Confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Maryland more than doubled in one day. There are 26 confirmed cases Saturday morning, according to the Maryland Department of Health, which had reported Friday morning there were 12 cases statewide.

The six COVID-19 patients from Montgomery County are identified them as:

• A woman in her 50s (infected while on an Egyptian cruise ship on the Nile River)
• A married couple in their 70s (infected while on an Egyptian cruise ship on the Nile River)
• A man in his 60s (infected while traveling overseas)
• A woman in her 60s (infected while on an Egyptian cruise ship on the Nile River)
• A man in his 20s (recently traveled to Spain)

A volunteer first responder in Montgomery has also tested positive for the virus. But Gov. Larry Hogan said that he lives in Prince William County, Virginia.

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services said in a news release that the potential risk of illness to the general public is still very low.

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Related: Latest Coronavirus Closures, Updates In Montgomery County

Here are the health department's answers to the most common coronavirus questions:

1. How do I know if I should be tested?
If you start to experience symptoms, go to your health care provider. The physician or practitioner will assess your symptoms, ask about your travel history and whether you have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19. With that information, they will determine if diagnostic testing for the COVID-19 virus is appropriate. If your health care provider suspects COVID-19, they will coordinate testing with the local and state health departments. If you would like to speak with a nurse, call 240-777-1755.

2. How many tests have been administered in Montgomery County?
HHS does not conduct testing. Early testing numbers came from the Maryland Public Health Lab in Baltimore. Now that COVID-19 testing is expanded and available through commercial laboratories, the Maryland Department of Health is no longer reporting the negative and pending number of tests in the state. All positive results obtained by commercial laboratories are reportable to MDH and are included in the counts.

3. Is there a COVID-19 home test?
There is no COVID-19 home test kit on the market for sale. People who suspect they have COVID-19 should contact their health care provider, who will determine if that patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and will determine whether patients will be referred for lab testing.

4. Will everyone need a test?
Regardless of whether people are tested, medical advice will remain the same; isolation and treating symptoms with fluids to reduce the risk of dehydration, medication to reduce a fever, and supplemental oxygen in more severe cases.

5. County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles on COVID-19 Testing Guidelines

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For updates visit the county’s coronavirus website and follow it on Facebook and Twitter @MontgomeryCoMD.