Tracking coronavirus cases in Maryland

Coronavirus radically alters way of life for Marylanders

March 22, 2020 • Graphics, text, digital artwork and design by Horus Alas. Updated May 27 at 9:05 p.m.

he novel Coronavirus now known as COVID-19

originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Officials struggled to implement countermeasures against the disease's contagion and lethality, and within weeks, the coronavirus made its way to the United States. A Washington state man who had been travelling to China became the nation's first reported case Jan. 21, 2020. From there, reports of infection continued to rise throughout the country.

As of May 27, there are over 5.6 million reported active cases of coronavirus worldwide—over 1.6 million of those are in the United States. The virus has caused more than 355,000 deaths globally, and killed over 100,000 Americans. There is no vaccine for COVID-19 currently in circulation, and experimental products are likely to undergo months of testing before being cleared for mass distribution.

Maryland reported its first three cases—all of them residents of Montgomery County—on March 5. Gov. Larry Hogan immediately declared a state of emergency, with the intent to bolster response collaboration between state and local agencies. The World Health Organization formally declared the coronavirus a pandemic March 11.

Data show a rapid increase in the number of positive reported cases of coronavirus in Maryland since it first appeared in the state. The Maryland Department of Health began reporting data on negative tests March 28.

Maryland reported its first death from COVID-19—a Prince George's County man in his 60s—March 18. Hogan announced March 20 that a Baltimore County man in his 60s was the state's second confirmed COVID-19 death. Late March 21, a Montgomery County woman in her 40s with an underlying medical condition was declared the state's third coronavirus fatality.

The state's Washington suburbs have borne the brunt of the coronavirus outbreak thus far, with Montgomery—where roughly one sixth of the state's 6 million residents live—and Prince George's Counties leading the tally for confirmed cases.

Hogan enacted a sweeping executive order March 12 that would close public schools statewide, prohibit public gatherings of more than 250 people, close the cruise ship terminal at the Port of Baltimore, and direct "non-essential" state employees to work from home, among other measures. He recommended that private sector employees work from home when possible.

Hogan advised March 19 that the University System of Maryland's Board of Regents switch public colleges and universities to online instruction for the remainder of their semesters. University of Maryland President Wallace Loh announced later that day that the school would hold classes online for the rest of the semester and cancelled in-person spring commencement ceremonies.

Schools throughout Maryland are now expected to be closed through at least April 24. Many school districts are offering meal services amid the closures, and state Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon said the state could extend the academic year to make up for lost instruction time.

In the first days of the coronavirus' presence in Maryland, President Donald Trump downplayed the risks it posed. In a March 9 tweet, he wrote, "So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu... Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!"

And despite swiftly declaring a state of emergency when Maryland's first cases were reported, Hogan initially tried to maintain a veneer of normalcy. "Marylanders should go to work or go to school as they normally do," he said March 5.

So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020

But as reported coronavirus cases in the Washington metropolitan area began to double in consecutive 48-hour periods, and a Prince George's County man became the first known case of "community transmission" in the state March 12, Maryland's officials began considering more aggressive containment measures.

On March 16, Hogan issued a new executive order that would force bars, restaurants, movie theaters and gyms to close indefinitely, beginning at 5 p.m. that day. Restaurants were still permitted to offer carryout and delivery services under the order. Essential services—which included grocery stores, pharmacies and banks—would remain open.

Initial warnings discussed the novel coronavirus as especially hazardous to the elderly and immunocompromised. But that messaging led to a cavalier attitude among young people, who continued to flock to beaches for spring break. In Maryland, however, individuals in their 40s and 50s have been the leading age categories for positive coronavirus cases.

As residents were increasingly encouraged to hunker down at home, industries throughout the state began laying off staff, and unemployment claims started to soar. On March 19, as a 5-year-old Howard County girl became the state's first child to test positive for the coronavirus, Hogan issued a new executive order limiting the size of social getherings to no more than 10 people and directing the closure of shopping malls and amusement parks.

"Let me be very clear," Hogan said at a news conference in Annapolis that day. "If you are engaged in this type of activity [large social gatherings], you are in violation of state law and you are endangering the lives of your fellow Marylanders."

Prior to adjourning three weeks ahead of schedule, the General Assembly passed a bill extending unemployment benefits to individuals under quarantine or whose employers have been forced to close during the coronavirus outbreak, amid a host of rapid-fire legislation.

Hogan amended and expanded his March 19 executive order March 23, directing all non-essential businesses—according to the Department of Homeland Security's critical infrastructure workforce guidelines—to close at 5 p.m. Restaurants were still able to fill carry out and delivery orders, and grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, and liquor stores were permitted to remain open.

He also announced an aid package of more than $175 million for businesses and workers adversely affected by the coronavirus. Highlights include a $75 million loan and $50 million grant fund for businesses, as well as a $7 million Layoff Aversion Fund that would allow employers to invest in telework equipment and sanitation services for essential workplaces.

Hogan issued a stay-at-home order effective March 30 at 8 p.m. The directive built on his preceding executive orders on social distancing, this time imposing up to one year of imprisonment or a $5,000 fine—or both—for individuals found outside their homes for non-essential purposes.

Maryland officials have confirmed 2,270 deaths linked to COVID-19 as of May 27 at 10 a.m. The state also began reporting figures for confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths by race April 9, which show African-Americans affected by the disease at higher rates than other racial groups. On April 15, Maryland added Latinos to the racial data breakdown and included figures on probable deaths linked to COVID-19.