Mecca Evans, Brian Butler, and Leonardo Rivas
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writers
With the first positive cases of the coronavirus and the announcement of a state of emergency in Maryland, state and college officials are scrambling to protect the health of the most vulnerable as well as students on campuses.
Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency Thursday and immediately began to ramp up operations across all levels of government. The Maryland State Public Health Laboratory confirmed the first three positive cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Montgomery County on Thursday but by Sunday, the number had risen to five.
“Our state health department team has been working seamlessly with local health departments, and our emergency management teams are engaged with our local and federal partners to limit the spread of COVID-19,” said Hogan in a press release Sunday. “We continue to hope for the best, and actively plan for the worst. I encourage all Marylanders to remain calm, but to take this seriously and continue to stay informed.”
Hogan said that the Maryland Health Department (MDH) has notified county health officials. The governor’s office has notified Harford County Executive Barry Glassman and Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. And, Hogan said he was continuing his coordination with federal officials, Vice President Pence , and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.
The coronavirus is a group of viruses, that in a mild form, in humans shows up as the common cold and in its more lethal form takes shape as an advanced upper respiratory infection. It was first discovered in the 1960’s and it is believed to cause 15 to 30 percent of common cold cases in children and adults.
Towson University, Morgan State University, the University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Johns Hopkins University and numerous other colleges across the state have been monitoring the spread of the coronavirus and made efforts to prevent the virus from reaching their campuses.
Towson has suspended all upcoming international university travel for students, faculty and staff and canceled study abroad for the spring 2020 term. Although not all faculty, staff and students have been recalled who are currently studying abroad in Japan, the university suspended its study abroad programs in China on Jan. 30 and in Italy on Feb. 29.
“Towson University continues to actively monitor the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19),” said the campus communication office. “There are currently no confirmed cases at Towson University.”
A month ago, a Towson professor, who was not identified, was pulled from campus to be tested for the coronavirus. The professor had come in contact with a family member who was being tested. The tests were negative, but the professor will not be returning to campus due to precautionary efforts, officials said.
“The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remains our primary concern. We know that the outbreak and spread of coronavirus is concerning to all members of the Towson University community both at home and abroad.”
Morgan State University President David Wilson recently issued a moratorium on all university-sponsored student travel to China, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and Iran.
“The safety of our students is the most important thing,” Wilson said. “At present, the risk of contracting COVID-19 during international travel is not fully known, so we have taken the most prudent action possible.”
The University of Maryland has suspended its study abroad programs in China, South Korea, and Italy for spring 2020 and cancelled all study abroad programs for spring break 2020 and summer session 2020.
UMBC recently announced that it was prohibiting university-related travel to any country that is under a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Risk Assessment Level 1, 2, or 3 related to the coronavirus.
At Johns Hopkins, Athletic Communications officer Ernie Larossa said the university would host the first two rounds of the NCAA Division III men’s basketball tournament this weekend but added “we have determined that it is prudent to hold this tournament without spectators.”
Campus officials also have asked students to take special precautions such as washing hands thoroughly, staying home when sick, and getting their flu shot.
At each school, faculty, staff and students returning to the U.S. have been asked to self-quarantine themselves for 14 days upon their return.
Daniele Leone, a University of Maryland student, studied in Milan during the spring semester and currently is going through a self-quarantine.
“It’s extremely inconvenient but understandable,” said Leone, who is forbidden from leaving his home, contacting friends or family.
In addition, Leone said he must wipe down everything he touches. It is mandatory for him to send an email to his school’s health center stating what symptoms he has or doesn’t have on a daily basis, he said.
Health officials said they are confident that precautionary measures were effective.
“We are prepared to identify, isolate and inform our state health department about any potential cases of COVID-19,” said Brian Garibaldi, Johns Hopkins respiratory disease specialist. “Our health system has set up appropriate screenings at all entry points, and we are providing guidance to our staff members on how to deal with the possibility of COVID-19 cases.”
As colleges continue to monitor and try to prevent the coronavirus from reaching their campuses, the virus continues to spread throughout the world. Since it’s widespread outbreak in China in December, the coronavirus has claimed more than 3,824 lives and infected 109,880 people worldwide.
Hogan criticized President Donald Trump’s response to the outbreak of the virus on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday.
“Has the president been perfect in his communication? I would say he hasn’t communicated the way I would and the way I might like him to,” Hogan said.