According to a report from WJZ13, Maryland Govenor Larry Hogan paid tribute Tuesday to Dr. Joseph Costa, 56, the head of critical care at Baltimore’s Mercy Medical Center, who passed away from COVID-19 over the weekend after treating patients stricken with the virus.
“Dr. Costa was a hero,” said Hogan. He also stated that the jump in new coronavirus cases is linked to more testing across Maryland.
Last week, Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa, who witnessed the state’s second largest increase in new cases Tuesday, said increased testing does not fully explain the rise. The city has since ordered indoor dining and bar services to close.
On Tuesday, Maryland’s Department of Health reported 648 new cases and 23,935 new tests, including 12 new deaths and eight more hospitalizations. However, the positivity rate decreased from .07 percent to 4.54 percent.
