Gov. Larry Hogan announced three more coronavirus cases in Maryland Wednesday evening, bringing the total number of cases in the state up to 12.
One of the patients is a Montgomery County man in his twenties who recently traveled to Spain. He’s not hospitalized, Hogan said. This case is the sixth coronavirus case in Montgomery County.
We have confirmed three additional cases of COVID-19 in Maryland, and @MDHealthDept has begun thorough investigations. The State of Maryland now has 12 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus. Learn more: https://t.co/kWQg5DEXaf
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) March 12, 2020
Hogan said one of the new confirmed cases is a Baltimore County man in his sixties “who worked at the recent American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in Washington, DC.” This man is also not hospitalized.
The third new coronavirus patient is a Prince George’s County man in his sixties, who is hospitalized and whose travel history is under investigation.
Maryland Department of Health is investigating these cases in regards to possible exposure to the community.
I am postponing my @NatlGovsAssoc State of the States Address, scheduled for tomorrow afternoon in Washington, in order to continue managing the crisis from Annapolis.
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) March 12, 2020
After this announcement Hogan said he’s postponing his National Governors Association (NGA) State of the States Address scheduled Thursday in Washington, D.C. to manage the crisis in Annapolis (Hogan chairs the NGA).
Wednesday has been a big day for breaking coronavirus news. In the morning the World Health Organization declared that COVID-19 is a global pandemic.
President Donald Trump addressed the country in the evening and announced starting Friday, travel from Europe—except for the UK—to the United States will be suspended.
Shortly after, several news outlets reported that actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson tested positive for coronavirus in Australia. The NBA also announced it is suspending its season indefinitely after a player tested positive for the coronavirus.
NBA has suspended the season in the wake of a player testing positive for coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/Dpqp3VA7TK
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) March 12, 2020
Hogan Administration Announces New Actions from State Agencies
Hogan announced the following actions state agencies are taking to address the coronavirus outbreak:
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services is discontinuing visits for individuals currently in infirmaries, reducing programs and movement within facilities, providing more video visitation opportunities, and requiring staff who exhibit flu-like symptoms to remain home.
The Maryland Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Administration will immediately begin moving toward an all-appointments system for all transactions in order to eliminate walk-ins, reduce foot traffic, and keep crowds to a minimum.
The Maryland Health Benefits Exchange is working to establish a special enrollment period through Maryland Health Connection specifically for the coronavirus.
All Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, including the Charlotte’s Hall Veterans Home, have been directed to adhere to the same guidance Governor Hogan announced yesterday for long-term care facilities, including prohibiting staff from international travel.
Today, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. The State of Maryland is continuing to operate under a state of emergency, and all levels of government are taking a comprehensive, collaborative approach to keep Marylanders safe. The list of ongoing state actions is available at governor.maryland.gov/coronavirus.
For health resources regarding COVID-19, including case counts and clinician guidance, Marylanders should visit health.maryland.gov/coronavirus.
