novel coronavirus update
LATEST UPDATES
The Hogan administration is committed to being transparent, keeping Marylanders fully informed, taking actions based on detailed planning, and making decisions based on the facts on the ground.
>> Click here for COVID-19 information from the Maryland Department of Health.
>> Click here for Emergency Orders and Legal Guidance.
>> Click here to visit Maryland Unites and access an A-to-Z Resource Guide.
>> Click here for resources for the Deaf and hard of hearing community.
>> Haga clic aquí para obtener recursos de coronavirus en español.
Latest Press Conferences from Governor Larry Hogan
Governor Hogan will continue to update the public throughout this rapidly evolving public health event. Live updates are streamed to the governor’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages.
04.10.20: Unemployment Updates, New Fiscal Measures
04.07.20: Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital
04.03.20: Financial Relief and Other Updates
03.30.20: Stay At Home Directive
03.25.20: Extension of School Closures, Child Care Guidance
03.23.20: Closure of All Non-Essential Businesses, $175M Economic Relief Package
03.19.20: Closure of Malls, Gatherings Limited to 10, Restrictions at BWI
03.17.20: Election and Transportation Announcements
03.16.20: Closure of Bars, Restaurants; Public Health Surge Plan; Utilities and Evictions
03.12.20: School Closures, Activation Levels Raised, Mass Gatherings Prohibited
Governor Hogan’s press conferences and media appearances are available on his YouTube channel.
Latest from the Governor’s Newsroom
04.10.20: State Budget and Hiring Freeze, Action to Bolster Unemployment Claims Process
04.07.20: Strike Teams for Nursing Homes, Order to Shut Down Unsafe Facilities
04.05.20: Action to Protect Nursing Home Residents and Staff
04.03.20: Financial Relief Initiatives for Marylanders and Small Businesses
04.01.20: Expansion of Telehealth, Designation of Disabilities Services Personnel
03.30.20: Governor Hogan Issues Stay at Home Order
03.28.20: Outbreak At Carroll County Long-Term Care Facility
03.27.20: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Maryland to Fund Johns Hopkins Research
03.27.20: 194 New Cases; Cases In National Capital Region More Than Quadruple
03.26.20: Major Disaster Declaration From Federal Administration
Click to view the full log of Governor Hogan’s press releases.
03.30.20: Stay At Home Directive
03.25.20: Extension of School Closures, Child Care Guidance
03.23.20: Closure of All Non-Essential Businesses, $175M Economic Relief Package
03.19.20: Closure of Malls, Gatherings Limited to 10, Restrictions at BWI
03.17.20: Election and Transportation Announcements
03.16.20: Closure of Bars, Restaurants; Public Health Surge Plan; Utilities and Evictions
03.12.20: School Closures, Activation Levels Raised, Mass Gatherings Prohibited
Governor Hogan’s press conferences and media appearances are available on his YouTube channel.
Latest from the Governor’s Newsroom
04.10.20: State Budget and Hiring Freeze, Action to Bolster Unemployment Claims Process
04.07.20: Strike Teams for Nursing Homes, Order to Shut Down Unsafe Facilities
04.05.20: Action to Protect Nursing Home Residents and Staff
04.03.20: Financial Relief Initiatives for Marylanders and Small Businesses
04.01.20: Expansion of Telehealth, Designation of Disabilities Services Personnel
03.30.20: Governor Hogan Issues Stay at Home Order
03.28.20: Outbreak At Carroll County Long-Term Care Facility
03.27.20: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Maryland to Fund Johns Hopkins Research
03.27.20: 194 New Cases; Cases In National Capital Region More Than Quadruple
03.26.20: Major Disaster Declaration From Federal Administration
Click to view the full log of Governor Hogan’s press releases.
Learn More
COVID-19 ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN APPLICATION
Disaster Loan Assistance Federal Disaster Loans for Business
Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance - In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000.
INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19
COVID-19 Background
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. COVID-19 is a new virus that hasn't caused illness in humans before. Worldwide, COVID-19 has resulted in thousands of infections, causing illness and in some cases death. Cases have spread to countries throughout the world, with more cases reported daily.
COVID-19 is thought to be able to spread like the cold or flu through:
- Coughing and sneezing, which creates respiratory droplets
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- In more severe cases, pneumonia (infection in the lungs)
The vast majority of people recover from this infection. Most people will have mild or moderate symptoms. Older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions have a greater risk for more serious illness.
COVIDConnect
COVIDConnect is a secure portal that is open to all Maryland residents who were confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19 and who are now recovered from their disease. It will be a place to share information, promote action and find support.
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions:
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Older Adults
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions about Testing
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions About Mental Health
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions About VEIP Testing Sites
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions About the Stay at Home Order and Home Isolation
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions About Child Care Settings
Maryland COVID-10 Statistics
COVID-19 Statistics in Maryland
Number of Confirmed Cases: 6,968
Number of negative test results: 37,480
Number of Deaths: 171
Hospitalizations: 1,413 ever hospitalized
Released From Isolation: 397
Cases and Deaths by County (deaths):
Allegany10
Anne Arundel554(16)
Baltimore City689(17) Baltimore County1,072(21)
Calvert76(1)
Caroline12 Carroll214(19)
Cecil 64(1)
Charles220(4)
Dorchester7 Frederick289(9)
Garrett4
Harford110
Howard319(5)
Kent9 Montgomery1,388(34) Prince George's1,716(42) Queen Anne's17
St. Mary's71
Somerset4 Talbot13(1) Washington66 Wicomico28(1)
Worcester16
Cases and Deaths by Age Range and Gender (deaths):
0-936
10-19146
20-29772
30-391,205(5) 40-491,281(5) 50-591,421(20) 60-691,051
(32) 70-79685(51) 80+371(58) Female:3,753 (69)
Male:3,215
(102)
Cases and Deaths by Race (deaths):
African-American2,304(61) Asian136(6) White1,694(45) Other544
(5) Data not available1,507(21)
Resources for Health Care Facilities
The Maryland Department of Health will update resources for health care facilities as they become available.
Facilities Serving Older Adults
- Preparing for and Responding to COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities
- Recommendations for Infection Control and COVID-19 Prevention in Facilities Serving Older Adults
CDC Guidance
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 for Nursing Homes (REVISED)
- Preparing for COVID-19: Long-term Care Facilities, Nursing Homes
- Interim U.S. Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure in a Healthcare Setting to Patients with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Congregate Housing Guidance
- Interim Guidance on Procedures to Prevent and Respond to COVID-19 in Small Group Home or Congregate Facility Settings
- Interim Guidance on Procedures to Prevent and Respond to COVID-19 in Small Group Home or Congregate Facility Settings (Español)
Signage for Buildings
Resources for Health Care Professionals
The Maryland Department of Health will update resources for health care professionals as they become available.
Clinicians
- MDH Coronavirus Clinician Letter -- March 26, 2020
- COVID-19 - Surgical Procedures Guidelines
- MDH Laboratory COVID-19 Specimen Collection Guidance
- MDH Coronavirus Clinician Letter -- March 13, 2020
- MDH Coronavirus Clinician Letter -- March 11, 2020
- MDH Coronavirus Checklist
- MDH Coronavirus Clinician Letter -- March 6, 2020
- MDH Coronavirus Clinician Letter -- January 31, 2020
- MDH Coronavirus Clinician Letter -- January 21, 2020
- Coronavirus Alert Sign (for Clinicians)
- Coronavirus Alert Sign (for Patients)
- Coronavirus Alert Sign (for Patients) -- Mandarin Translation
Community Health Workers
Medicaid
- Medicaid Appeals Extension
- Temporary Authorization of Legally-Responsible Family Members to be Paid to Provide Personal Assistance Services to be Delivered During the State of Emergency and Other Waivers
- Medicaid Telehealth Guidance
- Telephonic Services Guidance 4a: General Health Care Services (March 21, 2020)
- Telephonic Services Guidance 4b: Behavioral Health Services (March 21, 2020)
- Telephonic Services Guidance 4c: Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs (March 21, 2020)
- Temporary Expansion of Remote Patient Monitoring Services
- 1135 Waiver Flexibility Approval
Signage for Buildings
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
State Telehealth and Licensure Expansion COVID-19 Dashboard Posted by Alliance for Connected Care
Posted by Alliance for Connected Care in Articles, COVID-19, COVID-19
State Expansion of Telehealth and Licensing Waivers
The Alliance has compiled a resource detailing state-by-state expansion of telehealth and licensing waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This document is updated regularly.
Alliance for Connected Care — State Telehealth Expansion by Governor’s Orders 4-6-20
CMS Approved 1135 Waivers
Under a disaster or emergency declaration and a public health emergency, the HHS Secretary is authorized to take additional actions to provide programmatic flexibility in Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program through section 1135 waivers. The Secretary may issue blanket waivers, or may approve state specific waivers. Waivers end no later than the termination of the emergency period. CMS recently released a checklist for states to aid in the development of 1135 waivers requests.
Several states have requested flexibility to incent greater use of telehealth through Medicaid Section 1135 Waivers, for example:
- IL, LA, NC, and WA requested CMS to allow providers to use non-HIPAA compliant telehealth modes from platforms like Facetime, WhatsApp, and Skype to facilitate visits
- CA requested flexibility to make it easier for providers to care for people in their own homes by allowing telehealth and virtual/telephonic communications for covered State plan benefits, a Waiver of face-to-face encounters for FQHCs and Rural Health Clinics, and Reimbursement of virtual communication and e-consults for certain providers
- MD requested flexibility so that Medicaid and Managed care enrollees could use telephones to receive care if they did not have an appropriate device.
- SD requested flexibility to allow Medicaid to pay for the same telehealth services that Medicare has been granted authority to pay for, including services furnished while a patient is at home.
To-date, CMS has approved 49 state waivers.
Learn More
1135 State Waivers – Approvals Current as of 9 April 2020
Under a disaster or emergency declaration and a public health emergency, the HHS Secretary is authorized to take additional actions to provide programmatic flexibility in Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program through section 1135 waivers. The Secretary may issue blanket waivers, or may approve state specific waivers. Waivers end no later than the termination of the emergency period. CMS recently released a checklist for states to aid in the development of 1135 waivers requests. To-date, CMS has approved 49 state waivers. The below chart summarizes the key elements of each.
STAY INFORMED
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP):
CCHP COVID-19 Related State Actions to Date
CCHP COVID-19 Telehealth Coverage Policies
CCHP Video: DEA & Telehealth - April 2, 2020
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS):
CMS Updated COVID-19 Interim Final Rule FAQs (4/9/2020)
CMS flexibilities to fight COVID-19:
Physicians and Other Clinicians
Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
List of services payable under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule when furnished via telehealth
COVID-19 Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief FAQs
CMS Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet
End-Stage Renal Disease Providers Toolkit
MLN (Medicare Learning Network) Telehealth Booklet, March 2020 Update
Sweeping Regulatory Changes to Help U.S. Healthcare System Address COVID-19 Patient Surge
MLN Video: Medicare Coverage and Payment for Virtual Services - April 3, 2020
Telehealth Toolkit for General Practitioners
CMS Fact Sheet on Blanket Waivers for Healthcare Providers Through 4/9/2020
Drug Enforcement Agency (US - DEA):
Federal Communications Commission (FCC):
FCC Unveils COVID-19 Telehealth Program, Updates Connected Care Pilot
Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB):
States Waiving Licensure Requirements/Renewals in Response to COVID-19
Department of Health and Human Services (US - HHS):
HHS OCR Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications
HHS FAQs on Telehealth and HIPAA during the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency
National Consortium of Telehealth Resources (NCTRC):
NETRC (Northeast Telehealth Resource Center) COVID-19 Epidemic Telehealth Toolkit March 2020
VIDEO: Telehealth Best Practices for Providers
VIDEO: What to Expect from a Telehealth Visit (for Patients)
United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA):
Distance Learning & Coronavirus: What Should You Know - USDLA
Consumer Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US - CDC):
Emory: Check your risk for COVID‑19
SWTRC (Southwestern States) State Specific
Council of State Governments:
COVID-19 Resources for State Leaders
Arizona:
Arizona 211 COVID-19 Resources
AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid) FAQ Regarding COVID-19
Executive Order 2020-19 Telemedicine for Veterinarians
Executive Order 2020-15 - Expansion of Telemedicine
Colorado:
Colorado Dept of Public Health Telehealth & Nurselines Directory
Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid) COVID-19 Info for Providers & Case Managers
Nevada
Nevada Medicaid COVID-19 FAQs for Providers (click on “Providers – Frequently Asked Questions” on the right under “Providers”)
New Mexico
New Mexico Department of Health – Coronavirus Updates
New Mexico Nomad/New Mexico COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 New Mexico Public Education
Utah
COVID-19 Resources and Information
COVID-19 Resources and Information - Utah Department of Multicultural Affairs
Learn More
COVID-19 RELATED STATE ACTIONS
COVID-19 RELATED STATE ACTIONS
Timestamp: April 9 2020 – 5 pm PT (UPDATES: State Actions)
As a result of COVID-19 many states have taken action to remove policy barriers to telehealth utilization to address this pandemic. Below is a list of state actions taken at this time. If you have additional information on state actions that are not included here, please submit your information to info@cchpca.org and we will be sure to include it in future updates.
States Waiving Licensure Requirements/Renewals See:
Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) - https://www.fsmb.org/siteassets/advocacy/pdf/state-emergency-declarations-licensures-requirementscovid-19.pdf
States Waiving In-State Licensure Requirements for Telehealth See: Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) - https://www.fsmb.org/siteassets/advocacy/pdf/states-waiving-licensure-requirements-for-telehealth-in-response-to-covid-19.pdf
View a Quick Reference Chart which categorizes the below listed State Actions: https://www.cchpca.org/sites/default/files/2020-04/STATE%20TELEHEALTH%20ACTIONS%20IN%20RESPONSE%20TO%20COVID%20OVERVIEW%204.8.2020.pdf