Mayor Jack Young Lays Out Baltimore Coronavirus Plan As More Marylanders Being Tested
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore Mayor Jack Young gave the city an update on how his administration is handling the concerns over COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus.
He said while the risk of the virus is low in Baltimore, they expect to see more cases in the U.S. and likely in Maryland- and they have been closely monitoring the situation since mid-January.
The city is working with the Maryland Department of Health, City healthcare partners, City Emergency Medical Services and the City 911 center to coordinate efforts to quickly identify people who should be tested.
They'll be screening at the Baltimore City Health Department Eastern Health Clinic, Druid Health Clinic and school health clinics.
"BCHD will continue to monitor the situation and prepare with our partners. I ask for your help in promoting core public health disease prevention practices and sharing accurate information as you serve as the face of BCHD in the community." Mayor Young said.
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In a separate news release Wednesday evening, Young said the city's emergency operations center is raising its activation level to "Level III: Watch Level" due to COVID-19.
There have been no confirmed cases in Baltimore or Maryland in general. Eleven patients are currently awaiting test results, and a total of 21 people have been tested.
Organizers for The Women of the World Festival said it was expecting to draw 100,000 people to the Inner Harbor this weekend, but the event has been canceled.
Some store shelves are even empty as people rush to get supplies.
A sign at a north Baltimore pharmacy indicates they've been sold out of hand sanitizer and masks for days.
State officials are getting ready for the possible spread. Governor Larry Hogan submitted emergency legislation to allow the state to use the "rainy day fund" for response efforts, allowing him to transfer up to $50 million from the Revenue Stabilization Account to fund costs associated with coronavirus.
