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Maryland adds new restrictions as coronavirus reaches grim milestones Maryland adds new restrictions as coronavirus reaches grim milestones
(about 3 hours later)
Maryland is escalating measures to limit social contact in the wake of its first covid-19-related death and the first child to test positive for coronavirus, while Virginia’s governor announced actions to ease access to health care during the pandemic. Maryland is escalating social-distancing measures following the state’s first covid-19-related death and the first report of a child testing positive. Scores of D.C. emergency personnel are under quarantine, with three firefighters confirmed infected. Virginia is easing access to health care during the pandemic, and giving residents until June to pay taxes.
Two weeks after the first coronavirus cases were reported in the Washington region, government leaders, residents and businesses are confronting a hard reality: There’s no immediate end in sight. Two weeks after the first novel coronavirus cases were reported in the Washington region, government leaders, residents and businesses are confronting a hard reality: There’s no immediate end in sight.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) on Thursday ordered the closure of enclosed shopping malls and entertainment venues, restricted access to Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport and prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people. He chastised residents who are not taking the pandemic seriously. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) on Thursday ordered the closure of enclosed shopping malls and entertainment venues, restricted access to Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport and prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people. He chastised residents who are not taking the situation seriously.
“Unfortunately, we are only at the beginning of this crisis,” Hogan said, citing the state’s first fatality, a Prince George’s County man. “While this is the first death in Maryland, unfortunately it will not be the last.”“Unfortunately, we are only at the beginning of this crisis,” Hogan said, citing the state’s first fatality, a Prince George’s County man. “While this is the first death in Maryland, unfortunately it will not be the last.”
Disruptions to daily life will likely stretch at least into April, experts say, with the continued spread of the virus inevitable.Disruptions to daily life will likely stretch at least into April, experts say, with the continued spread of the virus inevitable.
Known cases have been doubling roughly every three days, reaching at least 242 in Maryland, the District and Virginia as of midday Thursday. That’s almost certainly an undercount because of limited testing. In recent days, patients have included first responders, medical staff and seniors living in facilities. Known cases have been doubling roughly every three days, reaching at least 242 in Maryland, the District and Virginia as of Thursday evening. That’s almost certainly an undercount because of limited and delayed testing.
The region has hit grim milestones. The first death in the D.C. suburbs. Reports of infected children in all three jurisdictions. Nearly 135 D.C. firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians under quarantine after potential exposure, according to a union leader. In recent days, patients have included first responders, medical staff and residents of senior living in facilities.
The region has hit grim milestones. The first death in the D.C. suburbs. Reports of infected children.
The Post is tracking coronavirus cases in D.C., MD and VAThe Post is tracking coronavirus cases in D.C., MD and VA
It will take weeks to learn if the closure of schools, restaurants and entertainment venues has kept the highly contagious virus at bay. The 14-day incubation period means confirmed patients have likely infected others who have not yet developed symptoms.It will take weeks to learn if the closure of schools, restaurants and entertainment venues has kept the highly contagious virus at bay. The 14-day incubation period means confirmed patients have likely infected others who have not yet developed symptoms.
“Whatever numbers we are seeing today reflect the transmission that was occurring one to two weeks ago,” said Lucy Wilson, an infectious-disease specialist and faculty member at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. “We shouldn’t be surprised by numbers continuing to increase, and we also shouldn’t discredit the effect of social distancing until we’ve given it time to take effect.”“Whatever numbers we are seeing today reflect the transmission that was occurring one to two weeks ago,” said Lucy Wilson, an infectious-disease specialist and faculty member at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. “We shouldn’t be surprised by numbers continuing to increase, and we also shouldn’t discredit the effect of social distancing until we’ve given it time to take effect.”
D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) said Thursday that “it’s certainly possible” the public health emergency and closure of restaurants, schools and events in the nation’s capital would stretch into April.
“What I am being advised from our public health professionals is that we want to see the slow of spread before we know for sure if those social-distancing measures are working,” Bowser said.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) also did not rule out the possibility of extending his order for schools and other public buildings to remain closed.
“This is such a fluid situation,” he said. “We meet every day, hour by hour.
Meanwhile, hospitals and medical providers are trying to prepare for more patients despite limited resources.Meanwhile, hospitals and medical providers are trying to prepare for more patients despite limited resources.
Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, one of the few medical facilities in the region that provides drive-through coronavirus tests, will cap the number of patients who are tested to 60 each day because of a limited supply of personal protective equipment. Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, one of the few medical facilities in the region that provides drive-through coronavirus tests, said it is capping the number of patients who are tested to 60 each day because of a limited supply of personal protective equipment.
That comes a day after Sentara Healthcare system closed three drive-through testing sites in Hampton Roads because of dwindling supplies.That comes a day after Sentara Healthcare system closed three drive-through testing sites in Hampton Roads because of dwindling supplies.
Follow live updates on coronavirus in the Washington region
New restrictions and procedures aimed at preventing people from infecting each other and overloading the health care system are piling up.New restrictions and procedures aimed at preventing people from infecting each other and overloading the health care system are piling up.
Grocery stores in Montgomery County launched seniors-only hours in an attempt to reduce the exposure of older shoppers to infection.Grocery stores in Montgomery County launched seniors-only hours in an attempt to reduce the exposure of older shoppers to infection.
Tiny Takoma Park, Maryland is fencing off city-owned playgrounds. Tiny Takoma Park, Md., is fencing off city-owned playgrounds.
The Metro transit system announced it would close two stations to stave off large groups from viewing the Cherry Blossoms approaching peak bloom in the Tidal Basin.The Metro transit system announced it would close two stations to stave off large groups from viewing the Cherry Blossoms approaching peak bloom in the Tidal Basin.
Follow live updates on coronavirus in the Washington region There had been 108 reported cases in Maryland as of Thursday morning an 88 percent increase in the past 48 hours. Among the newly announced cases was a five-year-old child from Howard County.
Maryland reported 107 confirmed cases as of Thursday morning an 88 percent increase in the past 48 hours. Among the newly announced cases was a five-year-old child from Howard County. Schools superintendent Michael . Martirano identified the child as a student at Elkridge Elementary School. Schools superintendent Michael Martirano identified the child as a student at Elkridge Elementary School. County playgrounds and parks have shut down in response to the case.
Officials said the Prince George’s man whose death from coronavirus was announced Wednesday evening had been Maryland’s first case of community transmission, meaning he contracted the virus without travel overseas or to a known patient or hotspot elsewhere. The man was in his 60s and had underlying medical conditions. Officials said the Prince George’s man whose death from coronavirus was announced Wednesday evening had been Maryland’s first known case of community transmission, meaning he contracted the virus without travel overseas or exposure to a known patient or hotspot. The man was in his 60s and had underlying medical conditions.
Leadership in a pandemic: How regional executives have confronted crisis
Hogan on Thursday urged residents to still congregating in large numbers to “stop treating this like a vacation or a spring break.”Hogan on Thursday urged residents to still congregating in large numbers to “stop treating this like a vacation or a spring break.”
He signed a new executive order allowing bars, restaurants and distilleries to deliver alcohol or provide it as a carryout service while on-site consumption is prohibited, following the lead of the District that adopted similar measures this week. He signed an executive order allowing bars, restaurants and distilleries to deliver alcohol or provide it as a carryout service while on-site consumption is prohibited, following the lead of the District, which adopted similar measures this week.
Some business owners reeled at the latest batch of restrictions.Some business owners reeled at the latest batch of restrictions.
Jorge Sactic, the owner of Chapina Bakery at the La Union mall in Langley Park, Md., said he got a call from the mall manager informing him that the complex would shut down for what Sactic said was the first time in at least 20 years.Jorge Sactic, the owner of Chapina Bakery at the La Union mall in Langley Park, Md., said he got a call from the mall manager informing him that the complex would shut down for what Sactic said was the first time in at least 20 years.
“This is going to be devastating,” said Sactic, the president of the Langley Park Small Business Association. “A lot of people are going to get hurt…. How are you going to pay your rent if you’re closed, by their order?”“This is going to be devastating,” said Sactic, the president of the Langley Park Small Business Association. “A lot of people are going to get hurt…. How are you going to pay your rent if you’re closed, by their order?”
Leadership in a pandemic: How regional executives have confronted crisis Virginia reported 17 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the state total to 94. The new batch includes a boy from Gloucester County, Va., in eastern Virginia, who is the state’s first known child patient.
Virginia reported 17 new cases of covid-19 on Thursday, bringing the state total to 94. The new batch includes a child from Gloucester, Va., who is the state’s first known child patient. The child is under 10 years old and is at home resting with family, the state health department said on its website.
Gov. Ralph Northam (D) announced no new sweeping restrictions at a Thursday news conference, despite a letter from Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (D) urging him to join Maryland and the District in closing restaurants and banning all public mass gatherings through mid-April. Fairfax also called for all K-12 schools and public colleges and universities to close through the end of the semester. Northam, the governor, announced no additional sweeping restrictions at a Thursday news conference, despite a letter from Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (D) urging him to join Maryland and the District in closing restaurants and banning all public mass gatherings through mid-April.
Officials said Virginia would end in-person visitation at state prisons, as Maryland and the D.C. jail have already done. Northam also said Medicaid copays will be eliminated, prescription refill period will be extended to 90 days and tele-health services will be beefed up. The deadline for paying state income taxes has also been pushed back from April 15 to June 1, though interest on outstanding payments will accrue in that period. Fairfax also called for all K-12 schools and public colleges and universities to close through the end of the semester.
The governor did not rule out the possibility of extending his order for schools and other public buildings to remain closed beyond April. Officials said Virginia would end in-person visitation at state prisons, as Maryland and the D.C. jail have already done. Northam also said Medicaid copays will be eliminated, prescription refill periods will be extended to 90 days and tele-health services will be beefed up.
“This is such a fluid situation,” he said. “We meet every day, hour by hour.” “We want to make sure any Medicaid member who is sick can seek medical attention without worrying about how to pay for it,” said Karen Kimsey, director of the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance. She said Medicaid would cover the cost of both testing and treatment for those with coronavirus symptoms.
In the District, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) was scheduled to update the public about her administration’s response to coronavirus at a 4 p.m. news conference. The deadline for paying state income taxes was pushed back from April 15 to June 1, though interest on outstanding payments will accrue in that period.
The nation’s capital has 40 cases to date. In the last two days, more than half of the new patients are under the age of 40. In the District, 40 cases have been reported to date, with new data scheduled for release Thursday evening. In the last two days, more than half of the newly reported patients have been under the age of 40. At least four law enforcement officials working in the District have tested positive.
A charter school in Southeast Washington told parents Wednesday evening that an elementary school student had been diagnosed with presumed covid-19. But the city has not yet confirmed the case. Bowser said the cases accentuate the need for residents to stay at home to protect first responders from exposure.
Meanwhile, law enforcement officials in Maryland, the District and throughout the country are taking steps to release prisoners, drop pending prosecutions and lock up fewer new defendants to thin crowded jails that public health officials say are ripe for spreading the novel coronavirus. “One first responder being impacted has a ripple effect on our entire service,” Bowser said.
The top prosecutor and public defender in Prince George’s County, who are typically adversaries in the courtroom, asked a judge Thursday to release from jail about 40 people who have been charged with low-level, nonviolent crimes but who have not yet gone to trial. Officials said three D.C. firefighters who tested positive for coronavirus are recovering at home, including two announced Wednesday who were partners in an ambulance in Southeast Washington.
“A jail is essentially a petri dish. Once the virus gets in there, it could have a devastating effect,” said public defender Keith Lotridge, who is working with State’s Attorney Aisha N. Braveboy from a nearly empty courthouse in Upper Marlboro, Md. Gregory Dean, chief of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, said 141 employees are under self quarantine because of exposure to those firefighters. City officials say they have been contacting patients who those firefighters helped transport to hospitals.
Luz Lazo, Gregory S. Schneider, Darran Simon, Rebecca Tan, Patricia Sullivan and Justin George contributed to this report. The third firefighter is based at Engine 20 in Tenleytown in Northwest Washington and not linked to the other two cases. More firefighters could be be quarantined as officials trace that firefighter’s contacts.
Officials said 65 D.C. Jail inmates are quarantined in separate cells because they came into contact with a deputy marshall at Superior Court who tested positive for coronavirus. Cells are being cleaned and disinfected.
At least 13 Metropolitan Police Department employees are awaiting coronavirus test results, although none are under official quarantine. Some are staying home based on doctors’ advice.
A charter school in Southeast Washington told parents in an email Wednesday evening that an elementary school student had been diagnosed with presumed covid-19. Bowser said Thursday that result of the child’s coronavirus test is still pending.
D.C. officials said about 30 National Guard members will be deployed in the city over the next few days to help with the response to coronavirus, including medical help, logistics, security and planning.
Christopher Rodriguez, director of the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, said the District received verbal confirmation from the federal government that their request for National Guard support would be approved later Thursday. Several National Guard members have been already been at city’s emergency operations center.
Justin George, Peter Hermann, Luz Lazo, Michael E. Miller, Darran Simon, Patricia Sullivan and Rebecca Tan contributed to this report.
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