Governor Larry Hogan held a press conference at 8:00 p.m. and provided information on Maryland’s State Public Health Laboratory confirmation of the first positive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Maryland.
In order to further mobilize all available state resources in response to this threat to public health, Hogan has issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Maryland. With this declaration, Hogan is officially authorizing and directing the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency to ramp up coordination among all state and local agencies and enable them to fast-track coordination with our state and local health departments and emergency management teams.
Hogan mentioned that while today’s news may seem overwhelming, this is not a reason to panic. Marylanders should go to work or go to school tomorrow just as they normally would. Hogan wants to continue to remind everyone to prepare themselves and continue to stay informed. Hogan is confident in the state’s ability to respond effectively to these three cases of coronavirus as well as to any future cases, and to be a national leader in responding to this situation and in developing treatments and perhaps even a vaccine.
Hogan encourage Marylanders to stay informed by visiting health.maryland.gov/coronavirus or by calling 2-1-1.
