Coronavirus In MD: 6,968 Confirmed Cases, 171 Deaths

MARYLAND — The Maryland Health Department on Friday reported 33 more coronavirus deaths and 783 new cases, bringing the state's death toll to 171 and the total number of cases to 6,968.

COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and has since infected more than 1,619,400 people and killed more than 97,000 around the world, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.

Maryland reported its first three coronavirus cases on March 5. As of Friday morning, 37,480 people have tested negative for the disease, 1,413 have been hospitalized, and 397 have been released from isolation.

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For the first time since it began reporting on the virus, the Maryland Department of Health on Thursday provided further demographic breakdowns of all state case data. Similar to other data being released across the country, it showed the coronavirus is infecting and killing black people in Maryland at disproportionately higher rates.

According to the latest state data, approximately 37 percent of those infected by COVID-19 are African American, and black people account for roughly 44 percent of the state's coronavirus-related deaths.

"Currently available data ... shows troubling disparities and points to a persistent public health challenge that we must address," Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said.

Local and national leaders have said black Americans are dying at a disproportionate rate across the country from the virus, citing lack of health care access coupled with pre-existing conditions.

"Black Americans are bearing the full brunt of the coronavirus in Maryland, facing higher rates of infections and mortality," U.S. Rep. Anthony Brown (D) said. "We cannot hide from this grim reality. We must confront these systemic racial disparities head on, and do so right now."

Compared to all other jurisdictions in the state, Prince George's County has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases. The total: 1,716. That's an increase of 240 positive infections, state officials reported. The death toll now stands at 42. A day earlier, there were 35 confirmed deaths.

Trailing behind Prince's George's County is Montgomery County, the state's most populous jurisdiction. The county now has 1,388 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and 34 deaths.

The counties with the fewest cases are Somerset and Garrett. Four people have tested positive for the new coronavirus in each of those counties, according to the latest figures from the state. No deaths have been reported.

In an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19, Hogan issued a stay-at-home order for the state's 6 million residents last month. Under this order, Marylanders are prohibited from leaving home, except for essential work, such as working at a hospital or grocery store, and essential trips, such as buying food and seeking medical care.

Maryland officials ordered schools closed on March 16, non-essential services were ordered closed March 23, and the stay-at-home order was issued March 30. Hogan has not banned travel, although he said anyone who has been outside of the state should self-quarantine for 14 days.

SEE ALSO:

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