ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan held a press conference on Thursday morning to address the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
At this hour, Maryland has 107 confirmed cases of COVIDー19, an 88 percent increase in 48 hours. On Wednesday night, Governor Hogan announced the state’s first death as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday, officials confirmed that a 5-year-old girl in Howard County is the first child in the state to contract the virus.
Governor Hogan is announcing additional actions, including limiting gatherings to 10 people, and closing shopping malls to slow the spread of COVIDー19.
The governor is directing MDOT to restrict access to BWI Terminal to passengers and workers only – urging essential travel only for transit.
The state of Maryland has activated phase one of the hospital surge plan, making 900 beds available immediately. An additional 1,400 beds will come online by early April.
The governor is asking the Board of Regents to keep University of Maryland students off campus and finish the remainder of the semester online.
Governor Hogan is also issuing an order to allow carry-out and delivery of alcohol from bars and restaurants, distilleries, breweries, wineries. To support local small businesses and encourage people to stay home, residents should avoid crowding in stores.
The state is launching a Maryland Unites website to highlight acts of compassion and generosity at https://governor.maryland.gov/maryland-unites.
