Coronavirus In Montgomery County: Total Climbs To 164

SILVER SPRING, MD — Maryland reported 157 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Thursday, its greatest one-day increase to date, bringing the confirmed total to 580. Of those cases, 164 come from Montgomery County, the state's most populous jurisdiction.

"As I have repeatedly stressed, we should continue to expect the number of cases to dramatically and rapidly rise," Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement Thursday. "We have never faced anything like this ever before, and I continue to urge the people of our state to stay in place at home and stay safe."

A week ago, Maryland had 107 confirmed cases of the coronavirus — 33 of which were in Montgomery County, according to health officials.

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People have tested positive for COVID-19 in 22 of the state's 24 jurisdictions. Dorchester and Allegany counties have yet to report a confirmed case.

Montgomery County accounts for nearly half of the state's confirmed cases, according to the health department's latest tally. Those infected with the virus include a county police officer, a Whetstone Elementary School employee, a man in his 20s, and a married couple in their 70s.

Prince George's County has the second highest number of confirmed cases, with 101. Baltimore County and Baltimore City come in third and fourth with 81 and 72 confirmed cases, respectively.

Four Marylanders — all with underlying medical conditions — have died from the new coronavirus, officials said. One of them was a Montgomery County resident in her 40s.

To slow the spread of COVID-19, Hogan extended the statewide closure of K-12 schools through April 24. In Montgomery County, superintendent Jack Smith said the school district would provide Chromebook laptops to students so they could participate in online classes next week.

Although school districts, like MCPS, are moving their classes online, Hogan said the state is only at the beginning of the crisis and should expect the number of cases to rise. But the state, he added, will overcome this crisis if Marylanders stick together.

"I want Marylanders to know that if we continue to lead and work together — if we rely on and help each other — together we will get through this crisis," Hogan said.

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