October 22, 2020 – Governor Hogan Press Conference
- Statewide positivity rate is one of the lowest in America at 3.1% as of Thursday.
- Hospitalizations are down 73% from the peak.
- Maryland has seen a nearly 80% decline in ICU levels since they peaked in May.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maryland currently has one of the lowest death rates in the country with 0.7 new deaths per 100,000 people.
- Twice this month, for the first time since the pandemic began, Maryland reported no new coronavirus deaths statewide.
- Contact tracing continues to show that social gatherings remain the most likely source of transmission.
- Family gatherings and house parties are the top activities of those who have tested positive.
- Maryland has added and re-gained more than 194,900 jobs.
- $20 million for the state’s “COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund,” which has already helped small businesses with an average of 20 employees stay open and has saved nearly 9,000 Maryland jobs.
- For September, Maryland’s private sector grew at the seventh fastest rate in America, the state’s health care sector grew at the sixth fastest rate and the state’s manufacturing sector grew at the third fastest rate in the nation.
- Maryland is doubling its relief efforts with another $250 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund through the Maryland Strong Economic Recovery Initiative, for a total economic relief package of $500 million.
- The new $250 million investment will fund a combination of new relief programs and an expansion of successful existing relief programs.
- $50 million for the third installment of the “Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Fund” to fully fund the entire backlog of grant applications already received and reviewed by the Maryland Department of Commerce.
- $50 million in direct grant relief for the state’s more than 11,500 restaurants. Eligible use of funds includes such things as: working capital, sanitization services, payroll and rent, purchase of personal protective equipment, upgraded technology and infrastructure improvements.
