Today, Governor Hogan issued an Executive Order placing Maryland under a stay-at-home order that goes into effect at 8 p.m. this evening. Residents may not leave their homes except for essential job or reason, including food and medication pick-up, medical emergencies, essential work, or outdoor recreation with safe social distancing. The order can be read online here, with additional interpretive guidance here. Any person who knowingly and willfully violates the order is guilty of a misdemeanor, which will be enforced by the Howard County Police Department.

The Department of Recreation and Parks is closing the following recreational areas to encourage social distancing and discourage any gatherings at parks

The Howard County Health Department today confirmed the first deaths in Howard County due to coronavirus. The victims, both males, 90 and 75 years old, had underlying health conditions.

Last night, County Executive Ball hosted a virtual town hall with community leaders to answer questions about coronavirus, the census, and upcoming elections from Howard County residents. More than 15,000 residents tuned in via phone or the Facebook livestream, and submitted 450 questions to the town hall panel. To view the video of the town hall please click here.

County Executive Ball will host a Virtual Town Hall tonight at 6:30 pm to answer questions and concerns from Howard County residents about coronavirus and the local response, the census, and upcoming elections. Residents are encouraged to pre-register and will receive a phone call to join the virtual town hall. Or residents can call in at 855-756-7520 ext. 57556#. The event will also be live-streamed online.  

Maryland General Assembly adjourned on March 18th last week to slow the spread of coronavirus. Throughout the session, County Executive Calvin Ball supported key legislation that will impact Howard County.

Howard County charities are coordinating to rapidly raise funds and deploy critical resources to nonprofits in Howard County through HoCoRespond.com, with the goal of raising $100,000 in the next 10 days.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will host a Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, March 26th at 6:30 pm to answer questions and concerns from Howard County residents about coronavirus and the local response, the census, and upcoming elections. Residents can call in at 855-756-7520 ext. 57556#. The event will also be live-streamed online. 

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is hosting a Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, March 26th at 6:30 pm to answer questions and concerns from Howard County residents about coronavirus and the local response, the census, and upcoming elections. Residents can call in at 855-756-7520 ext. 57556#. The event will also be live-streamed online.

Today, the Howard County Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution to extend the local State of Emergency until further notice, which was then signed by County Executive Ball.

Yesterday, the Maryland General Assembly approved $8.25 million in the state budget for the Ellicott City Safe and Sound Plan. The amount includes $250,000 granted in a local bond bill for sidewalks in historic downtown.

Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball gathered officials to address concerns and provide updates to the community after news that a 5-year-old Howard County resident has contracted coronavirus. The child is a student at Elkridge Elementary, however it is not believed that students or teachers at the school are at a greater risk.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will host a news conference today at 3 p.m. in front of the George Howard Building to provide an update on county measures and mitigation. The news conference will be live-streamed online

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball filed legislation to request an extension of the local State of Emergency until further notice. The County Council will review and act on the legislation on Friday, March 20.  

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball filed legislation to request an extension of the local State of Emergency until further notice. The County Council will review and act on the legislation on Friday, March 20.  

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball filed legislation to request an extension of the local State of Emergency until further notice. The County Council will review and act on the legislation on Friday, March 20.  

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball filed legislation to request an extension of the local State of Emergency until further notice. The County Council will review and act on the legislation on Friday, March 20.  

Howard County will continue to deliver essential County services to residents throughout the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, however starting March 18th, some services will be curtailed to protect employee and resident health. Beginning at 8:00 a.m. on March 18th, non-emergency County offices and facilities will be closed to the public until further notice, though operations will continue through teleworking by eligible employees.  

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball signed an Executive Order that extends the deadline for licenses, permits, registrations, and other authorizations issued by Howard County. Deadlines are extended for 30 days after the Maryland State of Emergency by the Governor is terminated.

The Howard County Health Department announced three new confirmed cases of coronavirus this afternoon. A man in his 40s who is on dialysis in the hospital, a woman in her 70s who is now self-isolating at home and another man in his 50s with underlying health conditions who is also self-isolating at home. This brings the total cases in Howard County to four.

The Howard County Health Department (HCHD) today announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 commonly referred to as coronavirus in Howard County. The patient is a woman in her 80s who has underlying health conditions and is currently in the hospital. County Executive Calvin Ball held a news conference today, where he declared a State of Emergency. Ball directed the Mall in Columbia to close for at least the next seven days effective midnight tonight. This includes all businesses with the exception of restaurants with external access. Ball also instructed the Shops at Savage Mill and two movie theaters, Regal Snowden Square and AMC Columbia to close effective at midnight. Video can be found here.

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball gathered County officials and community stakeholders to announce new measures in response to the coronavirus.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has announced that the Residents’ Budget Hearing, previously planned for Thursday, March 12th, will now be hosted virtually on March 30th at 6 pm.  The hearing will be livestreamed online for those interested in watching remotely.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has announced new guidance that will limit Howard County Government meetings and events for the next 45 days.