MARYLAND—During a Thursday press conference on Maryland’s response to the coronavirus, Governor Larry Hogan announced that two Marylanders who recently traveled to China have met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for testing of COVID-19.

State officials said the patients’ samples are being flown to the CDC for testing.

The governor added that there is currently no immediate health threat in Maryland but that the state is taking every precaution to address the coronavirus.

Governor Hogan is adding $10 million to the budget for emergency preparedness.  He also encouraged all Marylanders to opt-in to #MdReady, a texting program that allows people to opt-in to receive messages via text. To opt in, text “MdReady” to 898211 to begin receiving updates, tips, and alerts about COVID-19 and other threats and hazards.

For more information, visit the CDC’s COVID-19 factsheet here and bookmark www.cdc.gov/COVID19.