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DAVE? DAVID: AS YOU CAN TELL, NOT MUCH GOING ON. THE PART OF DOWNTOWN IS USUALLY CROWDED WITH PEOPLE AND TRAFFIC. MOST BUSINESSES ARE SHUT DOWN. AS FAR AS THE FIELD HOSPITALS, IT IS PART OF THE GOVERNOR’S HOSPITAL SURGE PLAN. HE SAYS THERE ARE CURRENTLY 900 BEDS AVAILABLE. HE EXPECTS 1400 MORE NEXT MONTH. THIS LETTER "H" COULD SOON REPRESENT A HOSPITAL ZONE, NOT A HOTEL. THE CORONAVIRUS COULD IMPACT ITS NEIGHBOR, AS WELL. >> PLANS ARE UNDERWAY AS WE SPEAK TO ESTABLISH A FIELD HOSPITAL AT THE BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER, AND AN ALTERNATE CARE SITE AT THE ADJACENT HILTON HOTEL IN BALTIMORE CITY. DAVID: THE MARYLAND NATIONAL GUARD IS WORKING WITH THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO TURN THE BUILDINGS INTO TEMPORARY MEDICAL FACILITIES. >> THESE WILL BE OPERATED THROUGH A JOINT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL SYSTEM AND JOHNS HOPKINS. DAVID: THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY WILL DELIVER 250 HOSPITAL BEDS AND 50 BED PACKAGES TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE. THE SHORTAGE OF HOSPITAL BEDS IS A CONCERN. WE REACHED OUT TO SEVERAL HOSPITALS IN THE AREA. GBMC IS THE ONLY FACILITY TO RESPOND. THEY SAY EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VOLUME IS LOWER THAN USUAL DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR. GBMC IS TREATING 4 PATIENTS. ONE REMAINS IN THE HOSPITAL, THE OTHERS ARE AT HOME. THEY’VE CONDUCTED 296 TESTS, 58 WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. THERE ARE 174 TESTS PENDING. >> THE TRUTH IS, NONE OF US REALLY KNOWS HOW BAD IT IS GOING TO GET, OR HOW LONG IT’S GOING TO LAST. DAVID: LIVE BALTIMORE ISSUED A STATEMENT, SAYING IN PART, "IT’S INSPIRING TO SEE OUR CITY AND STATE WORKING TOGETHER LIKE THIS."

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As part of the state's plan to combat the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Larry Hogan's team will be transforming the Baltimore Convention Center and the neighboring Hilton hotel into field hospitals.|| Late-breaking coronavirus updates | Maryland's latest numbers ||The field hospitals are part of the governor's hospital-surge plan he announced Monday morning. He said there are currently 900 beds available, and he expects 1,400 more to come in the next month."Plans are underway as we speak to establish a field hospital at the Baltimore Convention Center as and an alternate care site and at the adjacent Hilton Hotel in Baltimore City," Hogan said.The Maryland National Guard is turning the buildings into temporary medical facilities."These will be operated through a joint partnership with the University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins," Hogan said.The Federal Emergency Management Agency will deliver 250 hospital beds and 50 bed packages to support the initiative.The shortage of hospital beds is a concern. The Greater Baltimore Medical Center told 11 News that its emergency department volume is lower than usual during this time of year. So far, GBMC is treating four coronavirus patients -- one remains in the hospital and the others are at home. GBMC has conducted 296 tests, 58 returned negative and 174 tests are pending."The truth is none of us really know how bad it is going to get or how long it's going to last," Hogan said.Live Baltimore issued a statement saying, in part: "It's inspiring to see our city and state working together like this."Peggy Daidakis, executive director of the Baltimore Convention Center sent a statement to 11 News, saying: "The center has been designated as an 'alternative care' facility by Gov. Hogan. When conditions necessitate and additional hospital beds are needed, the Baltimore Convention Center will host these alternative care units under the direction of the University of Maryland Medical Services and Johns Hopkins in partnership with state and local government including Mayor (Jack) Young's team. To be prepared for all scenarios, the center will be receiving freight in the coming days to support alternative care operations, but that does not mean those services are imminent. From this moment and until further notice, the facility is closed to the general public. We stand ready, when needed, to in this effort. We commend Gov. Hogan and his team for taking swift and decisive action to slow the spread of COVID-19."PHNjcmlwdCBpZD0iaW5mb2dyYW1fMF9kZWIyNWMzOC03OGU3LTQyOTgtODIxYS1kYzlmOWJlM2Y4ZWEiIHRpdGxlPSJNYXJ5bGFuZCBjb3JvbmF2aXJ1cyBjYXNlcyIgc3JjPSJodHRwczovL2UuaW5mb2dyYW0uY29tL2pzL2Rpc3QvZW1iZWQuanM/U2paIiB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPjwvc2NyaXB0Pg==Coronavirus - What you should knowThe following information is from the CDC:What are the signs and symptoms?The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.FeverCoughShortness of breathReported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.How does COVID-19 Spread?Person-to-person spreadThe virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.Can someone spread the virus without being sick?People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.Spread from contact with infected surfaces or objectsIt may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.How easily does coronavirus spread?The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas.How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily.Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, spreading continually without stopping.Prevention and treatmentThere is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:Avoid close contact with people who are sick.Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.Stay home when you are sick.Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website.For information specific to healthcare, see CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings.These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have specific guidance for travelers.W2lmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vZDJjbXZicTdzeHgzM2ouY2xvdWRmcm9udC5uZXQvZW1haWwvcHJvZF9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1c19pZnJhbWVfYXJ0aWNsZS5odG1sIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjQxNCIgc3R5bGU9IndpZHRoOjEwMCU7Ym9yZGVyOm5vbmU7b3ZlcmZsb3c6aGlkZGVuIiBzY3JvbGxpbmc9Im5vIiBmcmFtZWJvcmRlcj0iMCIgYWxsb3dUcmFuc3BhcmVuY3k9InRydWUiXVsvaWZyYW1lXe+7vw==