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| Maryland governor says coronavirus patients had 'concerning' public interactions | Maryland governor says coronavirus patients had 'concerning' public interactions |
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| The Maryland residents who tested positive for coronavirus potentially exposed scores of elderly people and children to the infection, prompting the temporary closure of five schools in Bucks County, Pa., and warnings to a Rockville, Md., retirement community that residents should be watched carefully. | |
| Gov. Larry Hogan said Friday evening that the three people — a husband and wife in their 70s and a woman in her 50s — contracted the virus while on a cruise on the Nile River. | |
| The World Health Organization and Egypt's Health Ministry announced earlier Friday that 12 coronavirus cases had originated among workers on the cruise ship. Six people in the Houston area also reportedly developed covid-19, caused by the virus, after they returned to the United States on Feb. 20. | |
| Although the three residents, all from Montgomery County, had flu-like symptoms after their trip, they were not tested for the virus 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. | |
| Live updates: The latest coronavirus developments in the U.S. and globally | |
| In the days before they were tested, one of the residents attended a private gathering at a residence in Bucks County, according to a statement on the school district’s website. Multiple children and school system staff were there. | |
| The school district decided to close five schools “for at least one day,” the statement said, and the Bucks County Department of Health was working to contact everyone who attended the gathering and to check them for symptoms of illness. | |
| All the district's school buildings and buses will be closed to activities and deep-cleaned this weekend. No decision has been made as to when schools will re-open. | |
| Another of the three victims attended an event Feb. 28 at The Village at Rockville, a retirement community. Between 70 and 100 residents, staff and visitors could have been exposed at that event, Hogan (R) said. | |
| "We are providing these updates not to unnecessarily raise alarm but in the interest of full transparency and out of an abundance of caution," Hogan said. "We are committed to do everything in our power to contain this virus and to limit its spread in our state."Health officials have launched a search for other people potentially infected with coronavirus who may have come into contact with the three residents, whose names were being withheld by officials to protect their privacy. | |
| “It’s a lot of phone calls and left messages and ‘please call me back,’ ” said Assistant Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Jinlene Chan, whose agency is overseeing the statewide effort. She said county health workers in the suburb of about 1 million people were doing most of the legwork. | |
| So far, 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.” | “We knew this was coming,” Chan said of the three cases, adding that the focus right now is “about trying to contain it.” |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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.” | “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.” |
| Health officials have launched a search for other people potentially infected with coronavirus who may have come into contact with the three residents, whose names were being withheld by officials to protect their privacy. | |
| “It’s a lot of phone calls and left messages and ‘please call me back,’ ” said Assistant Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Jinlene Chan, whose agency is overseeing the statewide effort. She said county health workers in the suburb of about 1 million people were doing most of the legwork. | |
| So far, 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.” | |
| 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.” | |
| 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. | 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.” | “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. | 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. | “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 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Sign up for our Coronavirus Updates newsletter to track the outbreak. All stories linked in the newsletter are free to access. | Sign up for our Coronavirus Updates newsletter to track the outbreak. All stories linked in the newsletter are free to access. |
| 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 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. | 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. |
| No cases of the coronavirus have been diagnosed in Virginia or the District. | 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. |
| 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. | 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 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. | 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. |
| The task force also began monitoring absenteeism to look for patterns that might indicate a rash of illness. | 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) 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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, 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. | 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. “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. |
| Justin George, Dana Hedgpeth, Steve Thompson and Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report. | Justin George, Dana Hedgpeth, Steve Thompson and Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report. |
| Sign up for our Coronavirus Updates newsletter to track the outbreak. All stories linked in the newsletter are free to access. | Sign up for our Coronavirus Updates newsletter to track the outbreak. All stories linked in the newsletter are free to access. |
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