Yesterday, Gov. Hogan issued a stay-home order for all Marylanders because of the severity of the COVID-19 virus in the region. You can read the order here.
The order states that, ”No Maryland resident should leave their home unless it is for an essential job or for an essential reason, such as obtaining food or medicine, seeking urgent medical attention, or for other necessary purposes.”
Information on what is considered essential and non-essential can be found here.
Hogan said in closing, “This situation is going to get considerably worse before it gets better.”
On the positive side, you can help be a “hero” and save countless lives by staying home and practicing social distancing if you absolutely must go out, he said.
Here is some other critical info I thought you would need immediately:
NEW DRIVE THRU TESTING SITES OPEN TODAY:
These sites are ONLY available to those with REFERRALS and/or an APPOINTMENT set up through either a family doctor or local health department.
Priority for testing are:
1. Those with symptoms
2. Those over the age of 65
3. Health care providers
4. Those living in group homes
5. Those determined by health care providers to be at risk
DRIVE THRU SITES
1. Glen Burnie Motor Vehicle Administration
2. Waldorf Motor Vehicle Administration
3. Bel Air Motor Vehicle Administration
4. FEDEX Field
HEALTHCARE ASSISTANCE AND REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS
To ease access to healthcare:
The state has suspended premiums for the MD Children’s Health Program (MCHIP)
COVID testing is free; insurers are waiving any regular co-pays
COVID symptoms and what to do:
Most people experience mild enough symptoms that they can recover at home. However, if you or a loved one is experiencing COVID symptoms (fever, dry cough and respiratory issues) AND have trouble breathing or feel faint, call 911.
Request for volunteers:
Maryland needs medical and public health volunteers during this COVID emergency. Go here to register as a responder.
Hospital Beds Being Added
The state is working on several fronts:
1. With FEMA to open a field hospital at the Baltimore Convention Center;
2. Retrofitting Laurel Hospital for a 135-bed COVID unit;
3. Adding 100 advanced medical tents at various hospitals to create 1,000 COVID beds;
4. Adding 500 beds to existing acute care hospitals; and
5. Kaiser Permanente is adding 218 beds to the 500 beds it already has.
[Source: MD Delegate Mary Lehman’s office]