REPORT: Maryland governor issues emergency order in response to coronavirus spread

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Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued an executive order on Sunday directing nursing homes in the state to adopt procedures to fight the spread of coronavirus, including the establishment of quarantine wards for infected residents. In a news release on the governor’s website, Hogan stressed that criminal penalties would be levied against nursing home staff or facilities that disobeyed the order, which also directs all staffers to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and gloves.

“As we have been saying for several weeks, older Marylanders and those with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable and at a significantly higher risk of contracting, getting more severely ill, and dying from this disease,” said Hogan. “Of major concern is that we currently have cases or clusters of cases at 81 nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the state. Our highest priority is keeping Marylanders safe, and we will use every tool at our disposal to protect the most vulnerable among us.”

The article goes on to state the following:

Nursing homes in Maryland have become minor hotspots for the disease including one in Mt. Airy where nine patients have died and at least 99 others including staff have tested positive for coronavirus, according to The Washington Post. Those found to have knowingly violated the order will be subject to prosecution for a misdemeanor offense with a penalty of up to 1 year in prison and a $5,000 fine.

We are all in this together, and we will get through this together. #StayHomeMaryland #MarylandUnites pic.twitter.com/vrThAsRUYw

— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) April 3, 2020

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