By Peyton Stinnett
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The Maryland Department of Health announced on Thursday that there have been no new reported COVID-19 deaths for the first time since March 28.
Gov. Larry Hogan shared the news in a press release that expressed optimism about the future.
“This encouraging milestone is a tribute to the incredibly heroic efforts of our doctors, nurses, and health care workers on the front lines,” Hogan said, “and the courage and perseverance Marylanders have demonstrated in response to this unprecedented challenge.”
Since March, Maryland has reported more than 125,000 cases and almost 4,000 deaths.
The announcement drew cheers from Marylanders in a variety of occupations.
“I really hope it stays like this so school can go back in the spring and we can finally start feeling normal again,” said Cavan O’Brien, a senior at Towson University.
Another Towson student considered an essential worker on campus said the news relieves some of the stress she’s felt since the coronavirus pandemic erupted across the state.
“My work was shut down for so long and getting to open with these new protocols has been stressful so I hope that this means business can go back to normal,” Kiley Morgan said.
Maryland has been very proactive in fighting the virus and was one of the first states to shut down in March as well as create an effective testing system.
“It’s really relieving to hear that this hard work really paid off and that the hospitals in Maryland have been so responsible with taking care of this for so long,” said Lexi Phillips, a nurse at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
While Maryland is not out of the woods yet, officials and local residents said they are feeling confident there will be less cases if the hard work continues.
“As we continue on our road to recovery, it is absolutely critical for all of us to remain vigilant,” Hogan said.