The Maryland Department of Public Health confirmed the new numbers on their website. The death toll remains at three. The death toll from the coronavirus in the U.S. has topped 300. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say about 25-thousand Americans are infected with the virus as of Saturday night. A number of states reported their first deaths on Saturday, bringing the total to 32 states. Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico are also reporting a death related to the coronavirus.
The Maryland National Guard has arrived in Baltimore to assist the city amid the coronavirus outbreak. Mayor Jack Young says the Guard deployment helps to provide resources needed to keep Baltimore healthy. The Guard is assisting with humanitarian assistance in partnership with city agencies including support at school meal distribution sites. In a tweet, the Maryland National Guard says there is no threat of martial law and seeing a Humvee on the street means troops are delivering supplies or setting up tents for health screening stations.
Baltimore City Council President Brandon Scott is stressing the importance of staying inside as the state reports a second coronavirus death. He says his heart goes out to the family of the Baltimore County man who died and people must take COVID-19 seriously. Scott says just because someone is not experiencing symptoms it does not mean they couldn't pass the virus onto someone with a pre-existing condition or compromised immune system. The man who died in Baltimore County was 60-years-old and had underlying medical conditions.
Also Scott says the Baltimore City Council will not hold any more meetings for the rest of the month due to the ongoing crisis involving the coronavirus. All council meetings and hearings have been canceled until April 6th. Scott says his office is working out a way to hold future city council meetings virtually should the need arise.
Baltimore County Public Schools say more than 50-thousand meals were handed out to students during the first week of school closures due to the coronavirus. Next week two more sites are being added to the distribution locations bringing the total to 46. Students may pick up a bag filled with breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the parking lots of the distribution locations from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
The Maryland Department of Health is looking for health care professionals who can volunteer as first responders during a disaster or emergency situation. The Medical Reserve Corps is one of the governor's emergency actions in response to the coronavirus outbreak. A spokesman for Governor Larry Hogan says the state is accepting online registrations from retired and inactive health care professionals as well.
All branches of Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration are now closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and they will remain closed until further notice. Administrator Chrissy Nizer says safety is the top priority and the key to promoting safety is encouraging customers and employees to stay home. The MVA's eStore and self-service kiosks are still available. Governor Larry Hogan has ordered an extension of all drivers licenses, ID cards, permits and registrations and they will not expire until 30 days after Maryland's state of emergency has been lifted. after which if it is also not answered, a designated person will be notified to check on the elderly person.