Department of Health reports potential coronavirus exposure at The Village at Rockville

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Maryland Department of Health has determined that a person to confirmed to have coronavirus attended a gathering at the Village at Rockville.

The Governor announced that 44 people in the state have met the criteria for COVID-19 testing, including the three confirmed cases.

A total of 33 individuals have tested negative including the three Jewish School students who recently returned from New York after indirect contact with an individual who tested positive for coronavirus. Eight cases are still pending.

Two of the three people are in their 70's and married. The other patient is in their 50's. All three cases are in Montgomery County, according to Hogan.

According to the Maryland Department of Health, the person at the gathering in Rockville was there on February 28 from noon to 6 p.m.

MDH recommends that members of the public who attended this event monitor themselves for symptoms of a respiratory infection including fever, cold-like symptoms, cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath until March 13, 2020.

“I want to continue to assure Marylanders that our state is taking every precaution when it comes to the coronavirus,” said Governor Hogan. “Our highest priority is keeping our residents safe. I would encourage all Marylanders to remain calm, but to take this seriously and to continue to stay informed.”

The Governor said that another one of the patients also came in close contact with people in Philadelphia. He stated they had contact with schools kids in Philadelphia which prompted five schools to close.

Hogan said the three patients contacted the virus on an Egyptian cruise where 12 people are now being quarantined. He also said the three cases in the state are linked to six cases in Texas.

In response to these cases, Hogan has declared a State of Emergency.

Currently, the Governor says there are nearly 350 people in the state being monitored who could be at risk for the virus.

Members of the public who have questions about this information are encouraged to call the Maryland Emergency Management Agency call center at 410-517-3720. The call center is available until midnight and from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.