October 1, 2020 – Governor Hogan Press Conference
State Metrics
- For the first time in 187 days, Maryland is reporting zero new coronavirus deaths.
- Maryland statewide positivity rate is at 2.88% and is down nearly 90% since its peak on April 17.
- The statewide positivity rate has been under 5% for 98 consecutive days and under 4% for 54 consecutive days.
- No Maryland counties are in the “red zone”
- All 24 jurisdictions have positivity rates below 5%
- 21 are under 4%
- 14 are under 3%
- 4 are under 2%
- 2 are under 1%
- Hospitalizations are down more than 80% since they peaked 167 days ago.
- Nearly 88% decline in ICU levels
- Statewide case rate has dropped by 55% since it peaked on May 7.
Nursing Homes
- State has provided nearly $102 million in emergency funding for testing and personal protective equipment at nursing homes.
- Maryland secured 250,000 rapid antigen tests.
- Next week, all 227 Maryland nursing homes are on track to receive their initial allocations of rapid testing supplies.
- Have committed $6 million, specifically for testing of nursing home staff.
- Effective immediately, as a result of new federal and state guidelines, indoor visitation may begin in all nursing homes that are not experiencing a current outbreak or have not experienced any new cases in the last 14 days.
- Indoor visitation would not be permitted if the local jurisdiction’s positivity rate rises above 10%.
Flu Season
- Strongly encouraging Marylanders to get their flu shot.
- In anticipation of flu season, the state transitioned its lab at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, to allow for the use of a “multiplex” assay developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which will be able to detect both the coronavirus and Types A and B of the flu.
- State’s hospital surge team is currently doing contingency planning for any potential flu and/or COVID-19 surge.
Child Care
- Child care providers are now able to return to the full teacher-to-child ratios and capacities for which they are licensed
- Child care centers can now serve up to 20, 3-4 year olds in a room with a ratio of 1 teacher to 10 students, and up to 30 school-age students with a ratio of 1 teacher to 15 students.
- Providers must continue to adhere to federal and state guidance on health and safety protocols.
- Reopened programs will receive a one-time grant of $800 for family child care providers and $1,600 for center-based child care providers. These grants will be available through Oct. 31.
- Maryland State Department of Education is also providing $1,000 in start-up grants to eligible, new child care providers in an effort to bolster new small businesses.
