MoCo Coronavirus: Cases Double, Include Patients In Their 20s

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The number of coronavirus cases in Montgomery County has doubled from six to 12, the county's health officer said Sunday. Among the six new cases are four men and two women; the men are in their 20s to 70s and the women are in their 20s and 30s.

“We have learned from the Maryland Department of Health that we have six new cases, bringing our total number of cases to 12,” said Dr. Travis Gayles, the county health officer, in a news release. “We expected this increase in cases and it will likely continue. Montgomery County is working around the clock to address the COVID-19 crisis and our primary goal will be to continue to protect the health and safety of our residents and to provide the latest information.”

In a press conference Sunday afternoon, Gayles said with the expected rise in cases, individual cases will not be reported in the future.

Gayles said while more tests are available in community-based laboratories, hospitals and urgent care centers, the decision to test someone for COVID-19 is still based on Centers for Disease Control criteria and is limited to people with symptoms.

There is no walk-in, on demand testing for the public unless they have symptoms and fit those guidelines, the doctor said.

“I understand the public’s concern about the lack of widespread testing availability, but the guidance about what to do if you have symptoms will not change with a test results,” Gayles said.

He urged residents to self-isolate if they are ill and to relieve symptoms with standard fever-reducing medication. While people with severe symptoms may require hospitalization, most residents will have mild symptoms and recover.

County Executive Marc Elrich said county employees are assisting in coronavirus response, including staffing a call center. From March 16 through March 27, county recreation facilities, libraries and senior centers are closed. During this time, the Department of General Services is doing enhanced cleaning of county buildings, including daily cleaning of Ride On buses.

Visit the COVID-19 website for a complete list of cancellations and service modifications as of 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

“County government is open with employees teleworking where possible. As a result, there may be some modification of services. In-person services offered, such as SNAP applications, will continue, although we encourage residents to access online services, including applications, as much as possible,” Elrich said.

On Friday Gayles said the first three coronavirus cases reported in the county had recovered.

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.