ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The coronavirus has been confirmed in 60 different nursing homes and long-term care facilities in Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan said Friday.
An outbreak at the Pleasant View Nursing Home in Mount Airy, Maryland, has caused 99 cases among residents and staff, the governor said, and 42 patients have been sent to 14 different hospitals. There have been five deaths from the virus related to the nursing home.
“While we’re intensely focused on these particular clusters, I want to be very clear: we now have widespread community transmission,” Hogan said. “This virus is everywhere, and it is a threat to nearly everyone. “
Maryland has had at least 2,758 cases as of Friday morning.
“The number of positive cases has tripled in less than a week,” Hogan said at a news conference in the Maryland State House.
There have been 42 deaths in Maryland from the virus.
Hogan said 416 residents who have tested positive are hospitalized. Of them, 43% are in intensive care. He also notes that 50% of the state’s cases are people who are younger than 50.
“The reality is that this disease does not discriminate and no one is immune,” Hogan said.
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services has reported 17 cases in the department in Jessup, Baltimore and Hagerstown, the governor said. Of them, three are inmates, eight are contractual employees, four are correctional officers and two are parole and probation employees.
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