Gov. Hogan at tonight’s press conference about three confirmed coronavirus cases in Montgomery County.
Three Montgomery County residents have tested positive for coronavirus and are in quarantine in their own homes with “moderate to mildly ill” symptoms that are abating, according to Fran Phillips, Maryland Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services.
The three patients include a couple in their seventies and a single female in her fifties. They are not related but were on the same overseas trip in February.
“Their symptoms are abating,” Phillips said.
Neither Phillips nor Gov. Larry Hogan would give specific information about the three people, citing confidentiality.
“We do know where they came from, but we are not going to release that information,” Phillips said of the country the three people visited.
They returned to Maryland on Feb. 20.
On the evening of March 3, Maryland officials were informed by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta that someone else on the same trip had tested positive for coronavirus.
Therefore, Maryland officials then contacted the three individuals the following morning and requested that they go to their local hospital and drop off specimens, which they did.
The hospital involved, which was not named during Thursday night’s press conference, was informed that the people were coming in and therefore made special arrangements. The staff involved wore protective gear. The three people entered through a specified entrance.
The three people are in good condition and are cooperating with authorities, who are checking out their whereabouts and who they have been in close contact with since they returned to Maryland.
Because of the three cases, Hogan declared a state of emergency, thereby allowing medical professionals throughout the state to collaborate more easily and work to reduce the possibility of many more residents coming down with coronavirus.
A state of emergency allows Maryland “to ramp up” efforts and “fast track coordination,” Hogan explained.
“The news is serious,” Hogan said, but added that the state is prepared to “act aggressively” and has an additional $10 million to help.
Hogan said that the state has notified Vice President Mike Pence, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Superintendent of Schools Jack Smith and other officials of these developments.
Also notified were area nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Meanwhile, the state is collaborating with colleges and universities to help bring back students who are studying abroad, Hogan said.
“Our administration’s highest priority is keeping our residents safe,” he said.
While this is serious, “this is not a reason to panic,” the governor said. “Marylanders should go to work and to school as they usually do.”
He urged schools, day cares and businesses to come up with plans should there become a need for lengthy closures.
He noted that the state has decades of experience and is prepared to deal with this. He also pointed out that this area is home to top health institutions, some of which are working on treatments and “perhaps even a vaccine.”
“We will continue to track this rapidly evolving situation,” Hogan said.
Phillips said that anyone with a fever of at least 100.4 degrees, a cough and difficulty breathing should contact their medical provider, especially if they have other medical conditions or are elderly.
She advised those thinking they need treatment to call ahead first and let their medical provider or hospital know they are coming in.
For the latest Maryland information, residents should go to https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/Pages/Novel-coronavirus.aspx or call 211 for information.
We have been actively preparing for this situation over the last several weeks across all levels of government. I encourage all Marylanders not to panic, but to take this seriously and to stay informed as we continue to provide updates.
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) March 5, 2020
