Second MD Coronavirus Death Is Baltimore County Man: Governor

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — A second Maryland resident has died from the new coronavirus, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Friday night. The victim was a Baltimore County man in his 60s who had underlying medical conditions.

"A second Marylander has lost his life as a result of the coronavirus pandemic," Hogan said in a statement Friday night. "On behalf of our entire state, we send our heartfelt condolences to his family and to all those who loved him."

A Prince George's County man, who was also in his 60s and had underlying health conditions, died Wednesday, officials reported, marking the first death from COVID-19 in the state.

"This sad passing is a stark reminder of the seriousness of the crisis we face, and it breaks my heart to know that this will not be the last life we lose to this pandemic," Baltimore County Olszewski said in a statement Friday evening, sending his prayers. "That is why, even as we grieve, we also each need to do our part to reduce the spread and flatten the curve. Stay home. Practice social distancing. Those failing to do their part only add to the toll this crisis will take. We can save lives, but only if we take this seriously and continue to work together."

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No further information was released about the Baltimore County man and how he contracted the virus.

Earlier in the week, the governor said the Prince George's County man who died had no known travel history and was also the first person in the state to get the coronavirus through community transmission, meaning he got the illness in a way that was not related to travel or a known source.

State health officials said 149 people had tested positive for the coronavirus in Maryland as of Friday morning, an increase of 42 since the previous day.

"As the number of positive cases in Maryland continues to dramatically rise, we need everyone to take this seriously," Hogan said Friday night in a statement. "This is a public health crisis like nothing we have ever faced before—we are all in this together, and we will get through this together."

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that can lead to fever, cough or shortness of breath. Most people who are infected with coronavirus will experience mild or no symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

More severe complications include pneumonia, organ failure and death, the CDC reports.

The CDC advises doing the following to stop the spread of the virus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If this is not available, use hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Keep 6 feet of space between people.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

The CDC has put together a coronavirus disease situation summary for more about the illness.

For more information, visit the Maryland Department of Health's coronavirus page.

This is breaking news and will be updated.

Related:

• First MD Coronavirus Death Is Prince George's County Resident
• Baltimore County Police Change Up Gear, Reporting For Coronavirus
• Maryland Coronavirus Cases Rise To 149