'People Have To Listen': Gov. Larry Hogan Says Social Distancing Due To Coronavirus Is 'Absolutely Essential'
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ/AP) — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Sunday he's aggravated by people failing to heed warnings about the necessity of social distancing to blunt the spread of the new coronavirus.
Hogan, who ordered last week a statewide reduction in the number of people allowed to congregate from 50 to 10, said those not heeding the warnings are harming their communities.
CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
- Coronavirus In Maryland: What We Know
- Coronavirus-Related Closings
- The Symptoms Of Coronavirus And What You Should Do If You Feel Sick
- LIST: EPA Releases Names Of Disinfectants You Can Use Against Coronavirus
- Coronavirus-Related Scams Are Going Around. Here's What To Watch Out For
- Latest coronavirus stories from WJZ
"We've got to get people off the streets and out of these crowds. It's absolutely essential," Hogan said on NBC's "Meet the Press." Failing to heed the limit on assemblies is a violation of state law.
Maryland health officials reported Sunday 244 positive COVID-19 cases, or over 50 more compared to Saturday. The Department of Health reported late Saturday the state's third death related to the virus as a Montgomery County woman in her 40s who suffered from underlying medical conditions.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever or coughing. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
Over half of Maryland's positive cases are in Montgomery and Prince George's counties, adjoining Washington, D.C. Montgomery County has 83 confirmed cases of COVID-19, while Prince George's County has 40.
Hogan said there have been meetings with Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser to work together as a region to combat the virus spread. Hogan was concerned when he learned about crowds this weekend around the blooming cherry blossoms in Washington.
"People have to listen," he said. "Those people that are out there, you are endangering not only yourselves but your fellow citizens."
Hogan, the chairman of the National Governors Association, said some progress by the nation's governors has been made to push the federal government to ramp up supplies for medical professionals so portions of the nation's health care system doesn't buckle.
"Failures were made," Hogan said about the federal government's earlier response, but "instead of just talking about what didn't get done, I just want to get things done."
Hogan is expected to hold a press conference Monday at 11 a.m.
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.
___
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
(© Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
