Baltimore Co. Opens Coronavirus Hotline, Closing Senior Centers

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — After one person in Baltimore County tested positive for the new coronavirus, County Executive Johnny Olszewski briefed the public on what safeguards are being put in place. Senior centers will close starting Monday, the community college is suspending in-person classes, public schools are canceling some large assemblies, 911 callers will be screened and other measures are being implemented to prevent the spread of the illness.

"We knew it was only a matter of time before a case was confirmed in Baltimore County," Olszewski said.

In one week, Maryland went from zero cases of those with the new coronavirus to 12.

Don't miss updates about the novel coronavirus. Get Patch news alerts.

The Baltimore County resident who tested positive for the new coronavirus was a man in his 60s who had worked at the recent American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference in Washington, D.C., Olszewski said. The conference was held March 1 to 3.

To prevent the spread of the illness, the county executive encouraged people in Baltimore County to practice social distancing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, social distancing calls for avoiding mass gatherings, keeping about 6 feet between people and staying out of group gatherings in limited proximity when possible.

Symptoms of the new coronavirus are fever, cough and shortness of breath, resulting in anything from mild respiratory issues to death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms may become evident two to 14 days after exposure to the illness, but there are still many unknowns and some people do not have noticeable symptoms.

"Because of the incubation time, because of the uncertainty, because so many people are asymptomatic," Olszewski said, "that's why we're announcing these additional measures today, because of the unknowns and out of an abundance of caution."

Here are the key points from the news conference:

Senior centers will be closed to the public effective Monday, March 16. All organized activities at Baltimore County senior centers are suspended immediately. "We know that some of our seniors rely on our centers for meals and other services," Olszewski said. Seniors are encouraged to work with staff to prepare before Monday and call Maryland Access Point for assistance: 410-887-2594.

The Baltimore County new coronavirus hotline is 410-887-3816. It will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Baltimore County Health Director Gregory Wm. Branch encouraged people to inquire with their questions and concerns about the illness. "Your Baltimore County Department of Health is on the job and here for you," Branch said, "so please don't hesitate to call us."

Baltimore County Public Schools is canceling and postponing all assemblies and gatherings until further notice. (See more in the section on schools below.)

CCBC is moving courses online from March 23 to April 30. (See more below.)

Activities organized by Baltimore County Recreation and Parks are canceled. Baltimore County rec facilities will remain open. "We are also advising rec councils to suspend all of their sporting events," Olszewski said.

Budget town halls are canceled, and the county will be announcing a "virtual option" in the coming days. The upcoming comprehensive zoning map public hearings are postponed. The county is "exploring virtual options," Olszewski said, to be announced. "In that spirit, we are also now encouraging organizations holding or scheduled to hold large events in Baltimore County to likewise consider postponements or cancellations in accordance with CDC best practice protocols," Olszewski said.

All nonessential out-of-state travel is suspended for Baltimore County employees until further notice.

The county government is "actively evaluating telework" for Baltimore County employees.

"We have issued emergency procurements for soap, hand sanitizer and other necessary cleaning materials with an emphasis on our senior centers, jails, courts and areas with large traffic flows and concentrations of our most vulnerable populations," Olszewski said.

New 911 protocols include a coronavirus screen for first responders in Baltimore County.

Baltimore County Health Director: 'We're Ready'

"Baltimore County is ready," Branch said, adding it has been engaged since December when the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began tracking the illness.

The new coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.

"This is now a pandemic. Therefore, while we have confirmed the first Baltimore County case, it most certainly will not be the last," Branch said Thursday. "We will not be able to stop this pandemic. However, we can all help to slow down and decrease the number of cases so that our hospitals and health care networks will not be overwhelmed."

Branch offered these suggestions for staying healthy:

• Be calm.
• Wash hands frequently using soap, water and friction and wash for at least 20 seconds, rubbing vigorously. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid crowds, especially if over age 60 and diagnosed with a preexisting medical condition.
• Stay at home if feeling ill.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.

“These may seem to be like small things, but they have a major, major impact," Branch said.

Baltimore County Public Schools Cancel Assemblies

"We have a list of all of our activities, including field trips, and we are working with our school leaders to make the best decisions," Superintendent Darryl Williams said, when asked about the status of athletic events at Thursday's new conference. Williams noted playoff games were on the schedule Thursday and Friday.

In general, he said Baltimore County Public Schools is canceling and postponing all assemblies and gatherings until further notice.

Field trips outside Maryland have been suspended that are sponsored by Baltimore County Public Schools. Administrators "will continue to reexamine that decision," Williams said. "We're looking at them case by case."

School system administrators are holding daily briefings with health officials, and schools have been given guidance about the importance of providing opportunities for hand-washing throughout the school day in Baltimore County.

Out-of-state professional development activities have been canceled for Baltimore County Public Schools staff.

As far as school closures, Williams said those decisions would be made in conjunction with the state superintendent of schools and Baltimore County health department.

CCBC Suspends In-Person Classes

The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) has canceled or postponed travel and major events and is moving coursework online temporarily, according to CCBC President Sandra L. Kurtinitis.

"As of next Monday, March 16, the college will remain open but all in-person, campus-based classes will be suspended for one week to give our faculty an opportunity to move to a remote delivery system," Kurtinitis said.

"Those classes will reconvene then on March 23, and this plan will be in place until April 30 unless conditions change," according to Kurtinitis.

Watch the coronavirus news conference held Thursday with Baltimore County leaders.

Related:

• First Coronavirus Case In Baltimore County Confirmed

This is a developing story and may be updated.