ANNAPOLIS, MD (Eagle News) — A man in his 60s, who was resident of Prince George’s county with an underlying health condition and no known travel history, became the first death of the state of Maryland
This was announced by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan through a statement released from his office on Tuesday, March 18, 2020.
“It is with profound sadness that I announce the first death in Maryland as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” said the governor in a statement.
The man was infected through community transmission.
“We must use every possible resource at every level of government to save lives and keep people safe,” said Hogan.
“Unfortunately we are only at the beginning of this crisis,” the governor said the following morning after the first death was reported. “And while this is the first death here in Maryland, unfortunately it will not be the last.”
Almost over night, the number of cases in Maryland increased dramatically.
“As of this morning we now have 107 confirmed cases of COVID-19 here in Maryland, an 88% increase in the last 48 hours,” Hogan said.
Among the new cases is a five-year-old girl in Howard County, the first case of a child contracting virus here in Maryland.
As of Wednesday morning, there are more than 220 confirmed cases in the Washington region of Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia.
In light of the increase of new cases the governor spoke with a strong sense of urgency in slowing the spread of the virus. He sent up several restrictions when it comes to travel and gatherings throughout the state.
– Restriction on travel –
“At my direction the Maryland Department of Transportation will now restrict access to the BWI terminal to ticketed passengers only and badged airport employees only. Exceptions will be made for those visitors who are assisting disabled passengers. No one else will be granted access.”
He urged the use of all transportation assets for essential travel only and said that no one should use transit except for emergency personnel, front line health care provide and anyone whose job is essential to the supply chain.
– Gatherings of more than 10 prohibited –
He encouraged all Marylanders to stay home to help slow the spread of the coronavirus and restricted gatherings of more than 10 people.
“Following updated CDC guidelines, today we have amended our previous executive order to prohibit any events of more than 10 people in close proximity at all locations, establishments and venues across Maryland.”
Other developments are the closure of all enclosed shopping malls and entertainment venues effective 5 p.m. today.
The government also addressed those he considered to be taking the pandemic lightly.
“Despite all of our repeated warnings for weeks, and in spite of the rapid escalation of this crisis across our state, the nation, and the world, some people are treating this like a vacation or a spring break with parties, cookouts, and large gatherings,” said Hogan. “Let me be very clear—if you are engaged in this, you are in violation of state law and you are endangering the lives of your fellow Marylanders.”
Despite the grim statistics, the governor stayed positive and hopeful on how residents would cope with the threat.
“This truly is one of the most daunting challenges our state has ever faced,” said Hogan. “But sometimes the worst times have a way of bringing out the very best in people. Marylanders are a shining example of that, and we have seen so many examples of compassion and generosity in recent days. We are all in this together, and if we all do our part to rise to this challenge and to meet this moment, we will get through this together.”
Hogan said that the website Maryland Unites has been launched to highlight ways and opportunities that Marylanders could volunteer to help neighbors and community. The website could be accessed at https://governor.maryland.gov/marylandunites.
(Eagle News Service)