'Dramatic Increase' To 992 MD Coronavirus Cases, 10 Deaths

MARYLAND — The number of deaths from the new coronavirus in Maryland doubled to ten as of Saturday night, authorities said, even with schools, gyms and entertainment venues closed, and restaurants limited to take-out service. The number of coronavirus cases statewide increased by 218 from Friday to Saturday morning to a total of 992.

On Saturday, the Maryland Department of Health said five deaths were a result of the coronavirus, including a Prince George’s County resident in his 50s; a Charles County resident in his 50s; a Wicomico County resident in her 60s with underlying medical conditions; a Baltimore City resident in her 60s with underlying medical conditions; and a Baltimore City resident in her 80s with underlying medical conditions.

The total number of deaths in the state due to COVID-19 is 10.

Authorities say a total of 11,516 negative test results have been returned to date in Maryland.

There are a total of more than 1,900 coronavirus cases in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Three nursing homes in Montgomery County reported cases among residents and staff.

"Our state has seen another dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases overnight, bringing Maryland to 992 confirmed cases," Gov. Larry Hogan tweeted Saturday. ..."We are again urging all Marylanders to stay in place at home, practice social distancing and help us stop the spread of this deadly virus. Staying home saves lives."

According to data released by the Maryland Department of Health, 226 people have been hospitalized due to the new coronavirus as of March 28. Thirty-two people have been released from isolation.

Five nursing home residents and staff members at three Montgomery County facilities have tested positive for the new coronavirus. According to Montgomery County officials, three residents at Brighton Gardens on Tuckerman Lane in Bethesda have tested positive for the virus, while a staff member at Fox Chase Rehab and Nursing in Silver Spring tested positive for new coronavirus, and a staff member at the Fairland Center on Fairland Road in Silver Spring also has tested positive.

Four Montgomery County Fire and Rescue members have tested positive for the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, the county announced late Friday. The cases involve career and volunteer personnel. None of the cases resulted from contact on the job.

On Friday Hogan said there is neither a timetable nor model depicting how long the outbreak of the new coronavirus could last.

"Later today, I will convene conference calls with my full cabinet and our coronavirus response team of Maryland's top doctors and public health experts to continue to address this crisis. I cannot stress this enough: Marylanders need to stay in place at home to help slow the spread of this deadly virus," said Hogan. "Our state has already faced and overcome daunting challenges before, and we will do so again."

Hogan said he will continue to press for additional federal resources, "including a Title 32 designation for Maryland and all the states to fund National Guard missions."

President Donald Trump on Thursday declared a major disaster in Maryland, which frees up some federal resources to fight the state's growing coronavirus outbreak. After March 27, only child care programs serving the children of essential personnel will be allowed to remain open in the state.

For updates on the coronavirus in Maryland, get Patch news alerts.

This is where the coronavirus cases are, broken down by jurisdiction, as of Saturday, March 28, according to the Maryland Department of Health:

• 88 — Anne Arundel
• 112 — Baltimore City
• 141— Baltimore County
• 8 — Calvert
• 1 — Caroline
• 10 — Carroll
• 13 — Cecil
• 21 — Charles
• 22 — Frederick
• 3 — Garrett
• 21 — Harford
• 73 — Howard
• 2 — Kent
• 255 — Montgomery
• 196 — Prince George's
• 1 — Queen Anne's
• 8 — St. Mary's
• 1 — Somerset
• 2 — Talbot
• 6 — Washington
• 6 — Wicomico
• 2 — Worcester

Cases by Age Range and Gender:

• 0-19 years — 20
• 20-69 years — 854
• 70+ years — 118
• Female: 487, Male: 505

As Maryland schools and most businesses shut down in an effort to stop the spread of the virus, unemployment numbers skyrocketed. Data released Thursday showed more than 42,300 people in Maryland filed for unemployment during the week ending March 21, up from more than 3,800 the week before.

These groups are at greatest risk from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Ages 65 and older
• Nursing home or long-term care facility residents
• Those with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
• Those with heart disease with complications
• The immunocompromised — including people undergoing cancer treatment, those who have had bone marrow or organ transplants, people with poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, or those who have used corticosteroids or other immune-weakening medications over a long period of time
• Anyone with severe obesity (body mass index greater than 40) or underlying medical conditions, especially if they are not controlled, such as diabetes, liver disease or renal failure

The new coronavirus is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that can lead to fever, cough or shortness of breath. Most people who are infected with coronavirus will experience mild or no symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More severe complications include pneumonia, organ failure and death, the CDC reports.

The CDC advises doing the following to stop the spread of the virus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If this is not available, use hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Keep space between you and other people and avoid crowds and poorly ventilated areas.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

The CDC has put together a coronavirus disease situation summary for more about the illness.
For more information, visit the Maryland Department of Health's coronavirus page.

Read more:

• 5 MoCo Nursing Home Residents, Staff Have Coronavirus
• 4 Montgomery Co. Fire And Rescue Members Positive For Coronavirus
• Small Business Owners: How Can Patch Help? How Can You?
• President Trump Declares Maryland Major Disaster Over Coronavirus