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Maryland health officials work to identify others at risk of coronavirus infection Maryland health officials search for others at risk of coronavirus infection
(about 4 hours later)
Maryland officials said Friday that they have launched a broad search for individuals who may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus by one of three Montgomery County residents who have been diagnosed with the virus. Maryland health officials have launched a search for other people potentially infected with coronavirus, after three Montgomery County residents were found to have contracted the virus while traveling overseas.
All three — a husband and wife in their 70s and a woman in her 50s — were on a cruise overseas and returned to Maryland on Feb. 20, officials have said. They experienced flu-like symptoms shortly after arriving home, and they sought medical treatment. County health workers are doing most of the work to track down anyone who might have come in contact with the three patients — a husband and wife in their 70s and a woman in her 50s.
But they were not tested for covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, for nearly two weeks, because at the time of their return, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended tests only for people who had been traveling in China, Montgomery County Health Officer Travis Gayles said. Officials declined to say where the three had been traveling but said they did not meet those testing guidelines. “It’s a lot of phone calls and left messages and ‘please call me back,’ ” said Assistant Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Jinlene Chan, who is overseeing the statewide effort.
The three patients are “in good condition,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said Thursday night. They are quarantined in their homes in the county, a large and affluent suburb of about 1 million people just outside Washington. The woman is not related to the couple. So far, she said, no one identified as potentially exposed has displayed symptoms that warrant testing, and there has been no evidence of transmission within the community.
“We knew this was coming,” Chan said of the three cases, adding that the focus right now is “about trying to contain it.”
The Montgomery County victims returned to Maryland from a cruise on Feb. 20, officials say. They experienced flu-like symptoms and sought medical treatment.
But they were not tested for covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, for nearly two weeks, because at the time of their return, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended tests only for people who had been traveling in China, Montgomery County Health Officer Travis Gayles said.
Officials declined to say where the three had been traveling but said they did not meet those testing guidelines.
Maryland received its first shipment of test kits last week, and the state lab in Baltimore has been running two batches of tests a day, seven days a week.
Right now, Chan said, testing is limited. But that could change if the state’s caseload increases or community transmissions are detected. Private labs, and possibly some hospital labs, are preparing to start administering testing as well.
She said the state’s health department is fielding calls from physicians, residents and patients, all trying to determine which symptoms warrant testing.
“This is changing so quickly,” Chan said. “The guidance we provide right now might change, and that’s based on what’s changing on the ground.”
Live updates: The latest coronavirus developments in the U.S. and globallyLive updates: The latest coronavirus developments in the U.S. and globally
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), who toured the National Institutes of Health vaccine research center in Bethesda Friday afternoon, said test kits are being transported to private labs across the country, which should significantly expand the ability to test potential patients.
“It will reimbursable under Medicare, it will be reimbursable under Medicaid,” he said. “We want to make this an essential health benefit.”
Maryland has received $500 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help stem the outbreak, said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who also toured NIH.
“We’re all confident that given the passage of the $8.3 billion, the resources will flow to Maryland and other places that need it,” he said referring to a federal funding package signed by President Trump.
The three Montgomery County patients with covid-19 are “in good condition,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said Thursday night. They are quarantined in their homes in the county, a large and affluent suburb of about 1 million people just outside Washington.
The woman is not related to the couple; they were on the same trip, officials said, but were not traveling as a group.
Maryland officials said the state contacted the three earlier this week, after learning from the CDC that they were on a trip that included exposure to the coronavirus.
At a news conference Friday morning, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) urged residents to stay calm and said the state and county had been working for weeks to prepare for a possible outbreak.At a news conference Friday morning, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) urged residents to stay calm and said the state and county had been working for weeks to prepare for a possible outbreak.
“There is no reason to panic,” Elrich said. “Life as you know it should continue pretty much as it was.”“There is no reason to panic,” Elrich said. “Life as you know it should continue pretty much as it was.”
Gayles said there is no reason at this point to consider any widespread closures of schools, offices or other institutions in the county. Rather, he said, people who feel sick should stay home, and everyone should take basic precautions like washing their hands using hand sanitizer, and avoiding contact with those who are ill.Gayles said there is no reason at this point to consider any widespread closures of schools, offices or other institutions in the county. Rather, he said, people who feel sick should stay home, and everyone should take basic precautions like washing their hands using hand sanitizer, and avoiding contact with those who are ill.
Hogan has declared a state of emergency to speed the delivery of funding and other resources to address the virus.Hogan has declared a state of emergency to speed the delivery of funding and other resources to address the virus.
As of Friday morning, 41 Maryland residents had been tested for the coronavirus. Twenty-six of the tests were negative, according to the Maryland Department of Health. Twelve were pending. The only three positive tests were the Montgomery County residents.As of Friday morning, 41 Maryland residents had been tested for the coronavirus. Twenty-six of the tests were negative, according to the Maryland Department of Health. Twelve were pending. The only three positive tests were the Montgomery County residents.
No cases of the coronavirus have been diagnosed in Virginia or the District.
Maryland officials said the state contacted the three Montgomery County patients earlier this week, after learning from the CDC that they were on a trip that included exposure to the coronavirus.
Deputy health secretary Fran Phillips said the victims were able to bring themselves to a hospital Wednesday, wearing “protective precautions.” Specimens were collected and they returned home, where they remained in quarantine as of Thursday evening.
They were each mildly to moderately ill, and their symptoms are abating, Phillips said.
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State and county health officials are trying to determine who else may have been exposed in the days between the victims’ arrival home and when they were tested. They want to clarify exactly where the victims were, “how they came back here and what they’ve been doing since they’ve been back,” Elrich said.State and county health officials are trying to determine who else may have been exposed in the days between the victims’ arrival home and when they were tested. They want to clarify exactly where the victims were, “how they came back here and what they’ve been doing since they’ve been back,” Elrich said.
Gayles said state investigators have conducted in-depth interviews with all three patients, known as “contact tracing.” In general, such interviews are conducted either over the phone or in-person, with the investigators wearing protective gear. Gayles said state investigators have conducted in-depth interviews known as “contact tracing” with all three patients, In general, such interviews are conducted either over the phone, via video link or in-person, with the investigators wearing protective gear.
Officials try to map out where a person traveled to before being quarantined, who they came into contact with, and what that “quality of interaction” was, Gayles said, taking into account factors like whether they were physically proximate and whether they hugged or shared food.Officials try to map out where a person traveled to before being quarantined, who they came into contact with, and what that “quality of interaction” was, Gayles said, taking into account factors like whether they were physically proximate and whether they hugged or shared food.
Each person who had contact with a coronavirus victim is then assigned a risk level, and depending on that assessment, health officials may then decide to do another level of contact tracing.Each person who had contact with a coronavirus victim is then assigned a risk level, and depending on that assessment, health officials may then decide to do another level of contact tracing.
State and local officials have released very few details about the Montgomery County patients. Hogan spokesman Michael Ricci said he “can’t stress this enough: the patients have asked for privacy. We have to balance that against providing the information necessary to protect public health.”State and local officials have released very few details about the Montgomery County patients. Hogan spokesman Michael Ricci said he “can’t stress this enough: the patients have asked for privacy. We have to balance that against providing the information necessary to protect public health.”
All three individuals had limited their external interaction leading up to their quarantine because they were not feeling well, Gayles said. They had not been to work, for example. It was not immediately clear how many additional people were considered at-risk and assigned for follow-up contact. The patients are not believed to have had significant contact with children, officials said.All three individuals had limited their external interaction leading up to their quarantine because they were not feeling well, Gayles said. They had not been to work, for example. It was not immediately clear how many additional people were considered at-risk and assigned for follow-up contact. The patients are not believed to have had significant contact with children, officials said.
The county’s health department has activated an emergency command center in Silver Spring, Gayles said. Essential personnel will gather at this center, which typically serves as a conference room, to coordinate efforts with the state. No cases of the coronavirus have been diagnosed in Virginia or the District.
Thirty-one Virginia residents have been tested for coronavirus as of Friday, including 21 whose tests came back negative and 10 that are pending. Three of the pending cases are in Northern Virginia. Nine D.C. residents have been tested; eight tests came back negative, while one is pending.Thirty-one Virginia residents have been tested for coronavirus as of Friday, including 21 whose tests came back negative and 10 that are pending. Three of the pending cases are in Northern Virginia. Nine D.C. residents have been tested; eight tests came back negative, while one is pending.
About 70 miles west of Washington, Wakefield Country Day School near Huntly, VA, kept its 132 students home Thursday and Friday as a precaution after a group of students and adults recently visited Italy, France and Switzerland for five days. Metro moved into the second phase of its pandemic response to the coronavirus threat on Friday, canceling non-essential business travel and providing hand sanitizer to frontline employees such as Metrobus operators, a Metro spokesman said.
The school was on winter break last week, then students who traveled to Europe stayed home this week before officials closed the school for two days. No students have shown signs of illness. The system activated its pandemic task force, including transit police and emergency management, in January and ordereddaily wiping down of heavy traffic areas and steering wheels of Metrobuses and ensuring rail cars go through a hospital-level disinfectant process weekly.
Head of School Jessica Andrus Lindstrom said by the time the school reopens Monday, students who went to Europe will have been away for the 14-day quarantine period recommended by the CDC. The task force also began monitoring absenteeism to look for patterns that might indicate a rash of illness.
In Maryland, the General Assembly has fast-tracked a request from Hogan to access $50 million from the state’s rainy day fund to deal with the coronavirus. The Senate unanimously approved the request on Friday, and the House was expected to vote later in the day. Hogan also submitted a supplemental budget request for fiscal 2021 that would allocate $10 million in emergency expenses to prepare for the coronavirus.In Maryland, the General Assembly has fast-tracked a request from Hogan to access $50 million from the state’s rainy day fund to deal with the coronavirus. The Senate unanimously approved the request on Friday, and the House was expected to vote later in the day. Hogan also submitted a supplemental budget request for fiscal 2021 that would allocate $10 million in emergency expenses to prepare for the coronavirus.
Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D) issued a warning to Maryland residents about scams involving the virus. Frosh said scammers are setting up websites to sell “bogus health products that claim to prevent or cure covid-19.” They are also sending fake emails, texts and social media posts to steal money and personal information, posing as the CDC and the World Health Organization. Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D) warned Maryland residents about scams involving the virus. Frosh said scammers are setting up websites to sell “bogus health products that claim to prevent or cure covid-19.” They are also sending fake emails, texts and social media posts to steal money and personal information, posing as the CDC and the World Health Organization.
Frosh recommended that residents contact his office’s Consumer Protection Division or reporting it to WHO.Frosh recommended that residents contact his office’s Consumer Protection Division or reporting it to WHO.
As members of Congress prepare their Capitol Hill offices for the possibility of having to work from home for weeks on end, Reps. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.), Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) and John Sarbanes (D-Md.) on Thursday introduced legislation to expand telework across the federal government. Reps. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.), Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) and John Sarbanes (D-Md.) on Thursday introduced legislation to expand telework across the federal government.
The bill would prohibit agencies from making across-the-board cuts to telework availability, require agencies to notify Congress about and justify any plans to restrict telework, and ensure that agencies to report on cost savings derived from telework.
Lawmakers also want the Office of Personnel Management to establish guidelines for agencies on how to set goals for and report cost savings of telework.
How the virus spread in New York: From a man to his family. Then a neighbor. Then friends.How the virus spread in New York: From a man to his family. Then a neighbor. Then friends.
Anxiety about the global coronavirus outbreak has made health care a top concern for many Maryland residents, according to a Gonzales poll released late Wednesday. In Montgomery County on Friday morning, Judy Black, 67, stopped by a Bethesda CVS to grab some hand sanitizer — to no avail.
In Montgomery County on Friday morning, Judy Black, 67, was one of a string of people who stopped by a Bethesda CVS to grab some hand sanitizer — to no avail. She picked up the store’s last few bottles of antibacterial soap instead, then shared them with others in the checkout line who had come for the same thing.
Black said the CVS along Old Georgetown Road was the only one in the area whose website suggested it had the product in stock. But when she got to aisle 12, they were already out. She picked up the store’s last few bottles of antibacterial soap instead, then shared them with others in the checkout line who had come for the same thing. “It’s a difficult situation,” Black, a special-education teacher. “It’s not panic, but it’s very difficult to be conscious and cautious and not create panic.”
“It’s a difficult situation,” Black, a special-education teacher, said of the spread of the coronavirus in general. Teachers don’t have enough hand sanitizer to help keep their students’ hands clean.
“My dentist was out of it. I’m trying to get one for my friend who is a teacher,” she said. “It’s not panic, but it’s very difficult to be conscious and cautious and not create panic.”
Black said she is reconsidering her travel plans for the spring, as are many others she has talked with. “A lot of people are wondering whether they should take their kids anywhere for spring break,” she said.Black said she is reconsidering her travel plans for the spring, as are many others she has talked with. “A lot of people are wondering whether they should take their kids anywhere for spring break,” she said.
There was a steady stream of customers at the counter of Bethesda Bagels, where Danny Fleishman, the small chain’s president, said so far business remains good. Justin George, Dana Hedgpeth, Steve Thompson and Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report.
“It’s a little scary from a business standpoint. You never know what’s going to happen,” he said. Weekends tend to be busy, he said. “We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”
Fleischman said he and his employees are doubling up on hand-washing and other safety measures. “In a couple of weeks, who knows? But we’re just taking it day by day,” he said.
In Annapolis, where hundreds of advocates and lobbyists mingle daily in the State House, Senate President Bill Ferguson distributed talking points senators could use to help constituents stay calm.
“At this time, the risk of disruption and panic is greater than the risk of infection itself,” said Ferguson (D-Baltimore City). He encouraged senators to “model best practices,” and not to spread unverified information.
“Be smart. Do the things we should do for the common cold or the flu. Cough into your elbow. Wash your hands,” he said. “Wipe down your computer, wipe down your cellphone. These are common sense things.”
Ferguson said the General Assembly, which is supposed to remain in session through April 6, has not adjourned early since the Civil War.
“There is no reason whatsoever to think this year will be in any way different,” he said. “Please be smart, be models, and rely on trusted sources.”
Correction: An earlier photo caption misidentified the official speaking with President Trump in Bethesda. It is Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Rachel Chason, Erin Cox, Dana Hedgpeth and Steve Thompson contributed to this report.
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