A year of COVID-19 in Anne Arundel
Life in Anne Arundel County has changed dramatically over the past 365 days. Over the course of about a week in March 2020, everything was canceled and thousands of residents were left jobless.
Here is a look back at the year and significant moments as the COVID-19 pandemic changed life dramatically.
The pandemic reached Anne Arundel on March 11, 2020, when the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Anne Arundel County. The patient was a part-time resident of Montana in her 70s, and the case was assigned to Montana even though she was physically in Maryland. The same day, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
Shortly after, we saw Gov. Larry Hogan close schools, businesses shutter and restaurants go dark. Nearly 40,000 residents have fallen ill and more than 530 have died.
Now, a year later, Hogan is scaling back some of those same restrictions as he pivots the state into recovery. He announced Tuesday the county would lift capacity limits on restaurants, gyms and retail while allowing 50% capacity at larger venues. Hogan said the state’s metrics are in a good place to begin that recovery, but he urged people to continue following social distancing guidelines and the state’s mask mandate is still in effect.
Some criticized Hogan’s move as possibly opening Maryland up to another surge of COVID-19 cases as variants — mutations of the virus — move through the state.
Here is a look back at some of the biggest dates in the year of COVID-19. These dates cover most of the summer as cases continued to climb and officials tried to balance a proper response while keeping safe activities available.
The timeline will continue in tomorrow’s edition of The Capital.
May 28: For first time in 112-year history, Big Glen Burnie Carnival canceled due to coronavirus. Dozens of major events across the county, and nation, will be delayed or canceled outright as the coronavirus spread further in the US.
May 29: Gov. Larry Hogan greenlights outdoor dining, outdoor recreation starting Friday at 5 p.m., Anne Arundel leaders assessing risk. After devastating businesses with forced closures, Hogan begins slowly reopening Maryland in some areas where risk has been mitigated.
June 10: Maryland announced high school sports could resume outdoor practice and training activities with limitations for the first time since the pandemic struck. County and state officials continue trying to balance safe activities while keeping nonsafe ones closed.
July 13: The Patriot League canceled all fall athletic competitions, but Army and Navy were exempt from the decision because the service academies need to fulfill the physical mission.
Aug. 16: Maryland surpasses 100,000 coronavirus cases. Case numbers are still increasing despite a slower spread.
Sept. 28: Anne Arundel passes 10,000 coronavirus cases. Anne Arundel will struggle with the coronavirus in the winter as people forgo safety to risk family gatherings. Officials said gatherings inside homes, often among families, are the greatest driver of the virus during this time.