Baltimore confirms first case of coronavirus

The city of Baltimore confirmed its first case of coronavirus on Saturday, as the disease spreads across the U.S.

Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young  (D) announced the positive coronavirus case on Twitter, saying a man in his 60s was infected.

The case involves a male in his 60s. The Baltimore City Health Department is currently investigating the case.

— Mayor Bernard C. Jack Young (@mayorbcyoung) March 15, 2020

“I want all residents of Baltimore to rest assured that the city has been preparing for this eventual outcome for more than a month and we are well-suited to respond to this specific case,” Young said. 

He added that he opened the city’s Emergency Operations Center last week in anticipation of the first case and said all “City-permitted gatherings” of more than 250 people and events at the city-operated senior center buildings were canceled on Thursday.

Evictions were also halted, according to ABC affiliate WMAR. 

Baltimore closed its cruise ship terminal, as the virus spread across several cruise ships, like the Diamond Princess and the Grand Princess, earlier in the outbreak.

Baltimore is one of several cities and states that have limited public gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced Thursday that officials determined the first case of community spread, leading to all public schools in the state to be closed for at least two weeks starting Monday.

The state has confirmed 31 cases of the virus, according to the Maryland Department of Health’s website.