COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland

COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland refers to the ongoing viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), within the U.S. state of Maryland.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached the U.S. state of Maryland in March 2020. The first three cases were confirmed by the Maryland Department of Health in Montgomery County on March 5, 2020. The state's first death from the virus occurred on March 18, 2020.

Government Response

The Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, declared a state of emergency on March 5, 2020, the same day the first cases were confirmed. This was followed by a series of executive orders including the closure of all schools, non-essential businesses, and a stay-at-home order.

Impact

The pandemic has had a significant impact on the health, economy, and social life in Maryland. The state's healthcare system has been strained, with hospitals and healthcare workers facing a surge in patients and shortages of personal protective equipment. The economy has also been severely affected, with many businesses closing and unemployment rates rising sharply. The pandemic has also had a significant impact on the state's education system, with schools closed and learning shifted online.

Vaccination

Vaccination efforts in Maryland began in December 2020 following the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As of April 2021, Maryland has administered over 4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

See Also

• COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
• Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States (2020)
• Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States (2021)

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