Coronavirus In Maryland: Positive COVID-19 Cases Rise To At Least 60
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Maryland health officials reported 60 positive coronavirus cases around Maryland as of Tuesday.
Carroll County officials reported an additional case Tuesday. Baltimore City and Howard County also announced additional cases Monday.
Gov Hogan: If we do nothing, the numbers will be catastrophic. #coronavirus @wjz
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) March 17, 2020
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Gov. Larry Hogan said it is a 54% increase from Monday.
68 percent of them are from community spread and a majority of the patients are between the ages of 18 and 64.
"There's a lot of anxiety and a lot of stress. Folks are worried about how we're going to get through this," Hogan acknowledged. "We will get through this crisis."
Gov: Unless you are a traveling passenger, you should not go to BWI Marshall; only carry outs at restaurants; check in lines gone; MARC train service reduced by 50 percent @wjz
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) March 17, 2020
"It's the largest one day jump our state has experienced so far," Hogan added.
There are now 130 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Washington, D.C. region.
"If we do nothing, it'll be catastrophic," Hogan said, defending his decisions to close schools and businesses.
According to WJZ's count, here's the county-by-county breakdown of coronavirus cases:
- Anne Arundel - 3
- Baltimore City - 2
- Baltimore County - 6
- Carroll - 2
- Charles -1
- Frederick -1
- Harford - 2
- Howard - 4
- Montgomery - 24
- Prince George's -14
- Talbot -1
A map tracking cases in the state, can be found here.
Also according to the governor's spokesperson, 37 cases are people ages 18-64. There are 20 cases of people ages 65 and older. No one under the age of 18 has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the state.
Among the developments the governor announced Tuesday: Maryland is in talks to postpone the Preakness until September.
Press release on the cashless tolling now in place in Maryland to minimize human interaction #coronavirus https://t.co/0Nn0S3ilul @wjz
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) March 17, 2020
All tolling is now cashless to minimize human interaction.
The governor asked that only those flying visit BWI Marshall airport—in addition to other social distancing policies being put in place there.
Maryland's primary has been moved from April 28th to June 2nd.
And the special election to fill late Congressman Elijah Cummings' seat will be only through mail-in ballots.
"It would endanger public health to have thousands of people gather in schools and senior centers, which are already closed under the state of emergency," Hogan said. "While there are many valid reasons for unease and uncertainty right now, ensuring the voices of Maryland citizens are heard should not be one of them."
Baltimore City Board of Elections Director Armstead Jones told WJZ he supported the governor's decision on the primary and special election.
"We'll be ready," Jones said. "One of the issues I'm concerned about is that everyone has their correct address on file."
The governor also announced emissions facilities would be turned into drive-through testing sites—but not right away because of a frustrating lack of testing supplies from the federal government.
"No we don't have enough test kits and neither does any other state, and no the federal government does not have an answer," Hogan said.
Hogan also urged people not to panic-buy at grocery stores.
"Panic buying increases person-to-person exposure. All stores will remain open and will not run out of basic necessities," the Governor said.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski said, while there were four confirmed cases there as of Tuesday,
"We suspect there are more not confirmed. I expect that number to grow in Baltimore County and across the state," Olszewski said.
He said the county would enforce the closure of bars and restaurants—the exception being for take out and delivery.
"These are unprecedented actions, but these are also unprecedented times. We are prepared to enforce those actions across Baltimore County," he said.
The state offered additional guidance to businesses, noting funeral homes, food trucks, barber shops and salons could remain open as long as more than 50 people are not gathered together.
Also Tuesday, Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger announced more than 10 million dollars in federal aide coming to Maryland.
He urged banks not to foreclose on mortgages—and credit reporting companies to stop rating missed medical bills, rent and credit card payments.
Here's a full list of events that were canceled or postponed due to the virus' spread.
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.