Coronavirus Community Services and Information for the Baltimore Area

By iHeartMedia Baltimore Staff

STATE-WIDE COMMUNITY EFFORTS:

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  • Grubhub- Click here for the press release about the below.
    • Delaying company revenue so more cash flow goes back to local businesses
    • Matching all promotions run by independent restaurants
    • Created the Grubhub Community Relief Fund to help their drivers & restaurants via a donate your change option on orders
    • Contact free delivery option- for the safety of the patron and drivers, drivers will call/text when they arrive and drop off your order on the doorstep, lobby or other area designated by patrons

STATE-WIDE SCHOOL UPDATES:

  • As of March 25th, 2020, all Maryland public schools will continue to be closed until April 24th, 2020.
  • University System of Maryland has issued a statement that all undergraduate face-to-face instruction will shift to remote instruction for the rest of the semester. It will be up to presidents, provosts, deans, and department heads to work out detailed plans that allow students to complete their work and to fulfill all of their requirements.
    • USM universities will not be holding traditional, in-person commencement ceremonies.
  • There are now more than 350 meal distribution centers for students across the state of Maryland.
  • Anne Arundel County
    • All AACPS schools and offices are closed to the public through Friday, April 24, 2020. Limited and essential personnel will be working from central and satellite offices during that time.
    • Anne Arundel County Public Schools will serve free meals to children ages 2 to 18 at 52 sites across the county from Monday through Friday between now and April 24. Children will receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a single pickup. Adults may not pick up meals for children. https://www.aacps.org/mealpickup
    • Given how rapidly the disease has spread and the response efforts locally, nationally, and within the DoD, the Superintendent of The U.S. Naval Academy announced Mar. 18 the decision to delay the return of the Brigade of Midshipmen from spring break until further notice, with the intent to start online/remote academic instruction on Friday, Mar. 20.
  • Baltimore County
    •  Governor Larry Hogan and State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon announced on March 12 that all Maryland public schools must close in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. In light of this announcement, all BCPS schools will be closed from Monday, March 16, through Friday, April 24.
    • In addition to the previously announced free meals available from Baltimore County Public Schools, the school system expanded meal sites today and will begin providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner at all sites on Wednesday, Mar. 18.
    • BCPS will be providing free Grab and Go meals for its students at 41 sites during the state-mandated closure of schools. Please continue to check the BCPS Coronavirus Updates webpage for the latest list.
      • Grab and Go lunch from the BCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services is available on weekdays through April 24.
      • New sites added include Cove Village Apartments—Essex, Dulaney HS, Kings Point Shopping Center, Rosedale Library, and Sollers Point Multi-Purpose Center.
      • New sites include Carney ES, Chadwick ES, St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church on Eastern Avenue, and Woodmoor ES.
      • Students must be present to receive meals in the parking lots of the locations identified below on weekdays through April 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • Towson University is transitioning to a distance-learning format beginning Monday, March 23 and will continue for the remainder of the semester
    • UMBC classes will be taught online starting March 23, and will continue for the remainder of the semester.
  • Baltimore City
    • Baltimore City Public School campuses will be closed Monday, March 16 - Friday, April 24. 
      • If you would like to donate to City Schools in order to support the efforts to ensure schools and families have the resources they need during this time of school closure please go to www.ffee.org/donate.
        • All funds donated to the partners at the Fund for Educational Excellence between March 16 and April 24 will go towards City Schools' Emergency School Closure Family Support Fund.
        • Funds will be used to purchase essential supplies for families and schools, with a primary focus on purchasing 30lb boxes of food that can be sent home with families who visit the emergency meal sites.
    • Coppin State University has told students to prepare to be away from the university at least until April 6, 2020.
    • Morgan State University is extending online/remote instruction beyond the previously announced two-week interim period, thus officially ending face-to-face instruction for the remainder of the semester.
      • Students who are now staying on campus should begin making arrangements with their families/guardians to move out of the residence halls and return home for the remainder of the semester. 
      • All students who are affected by the closure of on-campus housing will be issued pro-rated refunds for unused housing and meal plan fees.
      • Spring Commencement, which usually occurs during May, will be postponed and rescheduled for a later date.
    • University of Baltimore will move all classes to remote (online) sessions on March 23 and continue in this virtual environment for the remainder of the semester.
    • Loyola University Maryland will continue online-only instruction through the end of the spring semester. Classes will be offered online only beginning March 18.
    • Johns Hopkins University in-person classes have been suspended through the end of the spring 2020 semester. Remote/virtual instruction will begin for all students no later than March 23.
      • The May 2020 university wide Commencement exercises will be held virtually (all in-person commencement ceremonies are cancelled). The university will work with their divisions and students on plans to gather the graduates together for virtual ceremonies this May and in-person celebrations at a later date.
      • All in-person, university events are suspended pending further notice, including tours, admissions events, and alumni events.
  • Carroll County
    • Under the direction of State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon, all Maryland public schools, including Carroll County Public Schools, will be closed beginning Monday, March 16, through Friday, April 24. All CCPS and non-CCPS sponsored activities in our school facilities will be canceled.
    • Carroll County Public Schools are participating in the Emergency Feeding Program. Meals will be provided to all children without charge. https://www.carrollk12.org/Superintendent/CommunityMediaRelations/Documents/EmergencyMealDistribution.pdf
  • Harford County
    • Per the announcement on March 25, 2020, from the State Superintendent of Schools, all Maryland public schools, including Harford County Public Schools, are closed from Monday, March 16, through Friday, April 24, 2020. All school sanctioned travel and school system activities, including fields trips and events are cancelled during this closure.
    • Harford County Public Schools are participating in the Emergency Feeding Program. Meals will be provided to all children without charge. https://www.hcpsmenus.com/
  • Howard County
  • Prince George’s County
    • University of Maryland College Park is operating in a partial online environment as of March 18, with reduced operations the week of March 23, 2020. Starting March 30, 2020 and for the remainder of the semester, all classroom instruction will be conducted virtually.

STATE-WIDE GOVERNMENT UPDATES:

  • Informational links that are being updated in real time:
  • As of April 10, 2020:
    • Nursing home strike teams have responded to 9 nursing homes across the state and 15 group homes for medically fragile children.
      • Deputy Health Secretary Fran Phillips: Strike teams have helped 65+ medically fragile children in group homes to make sure they have proper protections; teams are currently in nursing homes
    • Large scale testing initiative with University of Maryland being set up 
    • Decontamination unit will be set up at BWI Marshall Airport that can disinfect PPE
    • Registry has been set up forcoronavirus survivors in Maryland
    • Governor Hogan says the state of Maryland is immediately instituting a budget freeze on all state spending, except COVID-19 related expenses. Also instituting hiring freeze, as well, with state projecting $2.8 billion budget shortfall
      • There are exceptions to meet current employee payroll 
      • Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot said the state could see a shortfall of nearly $3 billion during the final quarter of fiscal year 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
    • Maryland is expanding online system for unemployment claims
    • Dept. of Labor is doubling claims center staff to handle phone calls in Maryland for those filing for unemployment. Most Marylanders will receive first benefits in less than 21 days
    • Marylanders who are eligible for unemployment insurance through the state will also now receive an additional $600 from the federal government
    • A decision has NOT yet been made about whether or not public schools in Maryland will remain closed through the end of the 2019-2020 school year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • As of April 8, 2020:
    • Maryland has 5,529 confirmed cases of COVID-19, an increase of 1,158 cases since yesterday. This virus continues to spread in every jurisdiction, and as Gov. Hogan has been saying for weeks, the Baltimore-Washington corridor has become an emerging hotspot.
      • An increase in new infections is just one of the reasons for today’s significant jump in new cases. This is also due to the ongoing efforts to ramp up testing in Maryland, with more private labs coming onboard and the expansion of commercial lab capacity.
      • Today’s numbers reflect a tripling of the tests reported since yesterday. We are seeing commercial labs begin to clear their backlog of tests. More than 30% of the new cases reported today are for testing that was completed in March.
  • As of April 7, 2020:
    • Field hospital @ Baltimore Convention Center has 250 beds
      • Will be for patients who no longer require hospitalization but still need care
    • The state of Maryland has received 200 ventilators from FEMA. Now available for use for hospitals across the state.
    • Trump administration will now consider the Baltimore Washington Corridor as a priority area- which means more attention & resources. 
      • Includes: Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll, PG, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Howard, Harford, Queen Anne's, Calvert counties
    • The number of Maryland nursing homes and long-term care facilities with confirmed cases of coronavirus continues to climb, with the number now reaching 90 facilities statewide
      • New “strike teams” developed to provide equipment and support to nursing homes. They include testing teams.
    • Gov. Hogan orders demographic and racial data on COVID-19 patients to be released publicly
    • The former Food and Drug Administration chief Scott Gottlieb is joining Maryland's coronavirus response team
    • Local health departments now have the power to take action against businesses they deem unsafe or are not complying to Gov. Hogan's orders limiting operations, or even shutting them down
  • As of April 3, 2020:
    • Maryland now has clusters of COVID-19 outbreaks at 60 nursing homes
    • 5 infants in Maryland are among those infected with coronavirus
    • 51% of confirmed coronavirus cases younger than 50
    • 416 Marylanders who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalized
      • Of those, 43% ads currently in ICU
    • Emergency legislation was signed to expand telehealth across Maryland
    • 2 more drive-thru coronavirus testing stations have been established in Columbia and in White Oak
    • Gov. Hogan issued an emergency order prohibiting mortgage lenders from initiating foreclosure action
    • Noon this Sunday: Hogan is asking Marylanders to join in on a moment of prayer and/or reflection to remember the lives lost to coronavirus and the workers on the front lines to help slow the spread
    • Maryland Health Department Deputy Sec. Fran Phillips calls for universal masking at MD nursing homes and assisted living facilities
    • 17 confirmed coronavirus cases in Maryland Corrections System breakdown:
      • 3 inmates
      • 8 contractual employees
      • 4 correctional officers
      • 2 parole and probation employees
    • Dr. Karen Salmon, state superintendent of public schools, said school leaders are working on decisions about requirements and graduation for seniors
      • More than 880,000 student meals were served across MD last week
    • There is a hotline for families who are concerned for their loved ones who are incarcerated
      • The Hotline: 410-769-6419
    • Baltimore Mayor Jack Young said there are 313 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the city
      • He also said there have been 4 coronavirus-related deaths in the city

As of April 1, 2020:

  • Governor Larry Hogan issued two emergency orders to further support Marylanders during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the expansion of telehealth services and the designation of disabilities services personnel as health care providers. https://governor.maryland.gov/2020/04/01/governor-hogan-enacts-emergency-orders-to-expand-telehealth-upgrade-designation-of-disabilities-services-personnel/
  • As of March 31, 2020:
    • Gov. Hogan’s Maryland Stay At Home Order means:
      • You CAN:
        • Go pick up essentials (food, groceries, alcohol, prescriptions)
        • Talk a walk outdoors
        • Leave the house only when absolutely necessary (to go to work as essential personnel, seeking medical care, picking up groceries)
      • You CAN NOT:
        • Host or attend any gatherings
        • Gather in any outdoor spaces such as basketball courts, tennis courts, etc.
        • Use any method of public transportation unless absolutely necessary 
        • Travel for nonessential reasons (out-of-state travellers should self quarantine for 14 days)
  • As of March 30, 2020:
    • Gov. Larry Hogan has issued a stay-at-home order for Marylanders to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
      • No one should leave their home for any reason other than essential work, to get food or other fundamental reason. He said no one should travel outside of the state or ride public transportation unless it is “absolutely necessary.” The order takes effect at 8 p.m. tonight.
      • Any person who knowingly and willfully violates the order is guilty of a misdemeanor.
      • The state will be sending a public safety announcement to cell phones today to spread the word about the stay-at-home directive.
      • Only essential businesses are allowed to remain open in Maryland, and those businesses are to scale down operations and staff. Essential businesses must take more steps to scale down in-person operations and institute telework for as much of their workforce as possible.
    • There are 1,413 confirmed coronavirus cases in Maryland and 15 deaths.
    • There have been as many as 13,316 negative test results. 
    • The youngest case to date is that of a 1-month-old infant.
    • 51% of all positive COVID-19 cases involve people who are age 50 and younger and 56% of hospitalizations involve people younger than age 60
    • Currently there are 2,709 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area.
    • Three drive-thru testing sites have opened at Motor Vehicle Administration emissions stations in Glen Burnie, Waldorf, and Bel Air.
    • A testing site has opened at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. 
    • The state has ordered 500 new beds for on-site surge expansion at Maryland hospitals with an option for another 500 to be deployed based on any virus hotspots.
    • A week ago, thousands of applications were received for resources in the state’s $175 million relief package with businesses and unemployed workers. Nearly $9 million has been provided to more than 400 small businesses, helping more than 8,000 Marylanders keep their job.
    • Gov. Hogan's message for anyone still downplaying the severity of the virus and refusing to take it seriously: “More American deaths are expected from the virus than from the Vietnam and Korean wars combined”.
  • As of March 27th, 2020:
  • As of March 26th, 2020:
    • The State of Maryland now has 580 confirmed cases of COVID19—an increase of 157 new cases, which is by far the largest one-day increase to date. There are more than 1,200 confirmed cases in the National Capital Region—in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia.
    • Today, there is also an unprecedented increase in the number of Marylanders filing for unemployment. 
  • As of March 25th, 2020:
    • Sagamore distillery working on batching 54,000 liters of hand sanitizer for Johns Hopkins Hospital
    • 2,700 volunteers have now signed up for Maryland Medical Reserve Board. 700 last week, 2300+ volunteered since Friday 3/20
    • The vast majority of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Maryland are in their 40’s
    • All public schools will remain closed through 4/24
      • Local schools will communicate with their communities
    • Gov. Larry Hogan announces $4 million in federal funding to help communities provide at-home meals for senior citizens
    • Hospital Surge Plan: We now have 2,400 beds available--putting us weeks ahead of schedule
    • Essential personnel working in response to the COVID-19 pandemic who require child care are immediately able to register for these services through a free referral hotline called LOCATE. The number to reach this referral service is 1-877-261-0060.
  • As of March 23rd, 2020:
    • Over the weekend there was a 678% increase in positive COVID cases in Maryland
      • There are now cases in 21 out of 24 Maryland jurisdictions
      • There are now 635 cases in the capital region of Maryland, DC, and Virginia, 32,000 cases across America, and more than 342,000 cases around the globe
    • A Montgomery County woman in her 40’s became the third Marylander so far to have died as a result of the coronavirus
    • All non-essential businesses, organizations, establishments, facilities are to close at 5pm today
      • Healthcare, food, agriculture, public safety, critical mfg, financial services, and other are essentials 
    • NO shelter in place directive 
    • Gov. Hogan reminded all people to follow state law against crowds of 10+ people
    • Workers in Maryland can collect unemployment insurance who are affected by closures or the virus 
      • If you've been laid off, you canimmediately file a claim (by phone, online) at dllr.state.md.us
    • Launching a business relief program in Maryland to help get them through this period including a relief fund, loans, and more
    • Price gouging will be now be prosecutable 
    • MD National Guard is setting up hospital sites - one in Baltimore City at the Convention Center, reopening the Laurel Hospital. Drive through testing is being tested at 5 locations.
  • As of March 19th, 2020:
    • There are 107 confirmed cases in Maryland as of 10:00 AM today. That’s an 88% increase in 2 days.
    • Governor Hogan is asking to delay completion of 2020 census and Real ID implementation 
    • Transportation access to BWI Airport will only be granted to ticketed passengers and badged workers 
    • The use of Maryland public transit is for essential personnel travel only
    • All gatherings of more than 10 people are now banned by executive order
    • All enclosed shopping malls and entertainment venues will close at 5pm today 
    • Governor Hogan is urging all Maryland universities to move to online for the remainder of the semester 
    • 900 additional hospital beds have been added since last week - By early April they expect an additional 1,400 beds 
    • Delivery and carryout sale of alcohol is now permissible (subject to local regulations) to help small business and restraints and protect people from leaving home 
    • There are now more than 350 meal distribution centers for students across the state of Maryland
      • 3 meals a day for MD kids - Find locations at MDSummerMeals.org
    • Gov. Hogan commended the community for coming together and helping our community during this uncertain time
      • With that, he launched the Maryland Unites website, which will allow residents to seek ways to volunteer and help their neighbors: MarylandUnites.org
  • As of March 18th, 2020:
    • Governor Larry Hogan announced the first COVID-19 death in Maryland, a Prince George’s County resident in his 60’s who suffered from an underlying medical condition.
    • Baltimore City and Harford County are the latest Maryland jurisdictions to declare local states of emergency as the number of confirmed cases continues to grow to 85 statewide as of this afternoon.
      • Two of the 85 cases sickened by the virus in Maryland are hospital providers. One of those providers works at LifeBridge Health's Northwest Hospital, and the other is at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Both are under quarantined.
      • Hospital officials told 11 News there is also a patient at Sinai Hospital who has coronavirus. The patient is doing well, and the hospital is following all necessary protocols.
    • In response to the governor's push to increase the availability of hospital beds, Mercy Medical Center will construct a new hospital floor to add 32 additional beds to the downtown Baltimore facility.
    • There are now a total of 5 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the city and the number is expected to increase. 
      • All five cases are related to community transmission.
      • The city's new cases of people with the coronavirus includes three patients in their 20s.
    • Mayor Young's state of emergency will allow the city to make procurements without going through the normal procedures. That includes securing hotel rooms to house homeless people who may be sick but don't need to be hospitalized.
  • As of March 17, 2020, Governor Larry Hogan stated:
    • All Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program centers will be shut down, and steps will be taken to turn them into drive-thru testing centers across the state. @TheMDTA will move to all-cashless tolling statewide to limit interaction between the public and toll collectors.
    • The @MD_MVA is implementing a series of operational changes at branch offices and Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program stations statewide, including closing all branches statewide and cancelling non-commercial driver skills tests.
    • @MarylandMTA will reduce MARC and Commuter Bus service, while still ensuring emergency and health care personnel can get to their jobs. For Mobility customers, service will be continued with a focus on medical appointments, dialysis, pharmacies, and grocery stores only.
    • We are encouraging residents to avoid unnecessary travel, and access to the @BWI_Airport terminal will be monitored and strongly discouraged except for passengers who are traveling and employees reporting to their job sites.
    • To protect public health and preserve the integrity of the democratic process, I have postponed the April 28 primary to June 2. The State Board of Elections is directed to implement a vote-by-mail system for the 7th Congressional District special general election on April 28.
  • As of March 16, 2020, Governor Larry Hogan stated:
    • I am prohibiting utility providers from shutting off any residential customer’s service or charging any residential late fees, and prohibiting Maryland courts from ordering the eviction of any tenant who can show that their failure to pay rent was the result of COVID-19.
    • Effective immediately, gatherings of more than 50 people, including social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings, are prohibited at all locations and venues. These emergency orders carry the full force of law & will be strictly enforced.
    • I have ordered the closure of all bars and restaurants in the state, as well as fitness centers, spas, and theaters, effective at 5:00 p.m. today. The order allows for restaurants to continue carry-out, drive-thru, and delivery services.

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