Trump grants major disaster declaration for state of Maryland

President Trump on Thursday approved Maryland’s major disaster declaration, allowing the state to access federal aid as it combats the coronavirus outbreak.

“The President’s action makes Federal funding available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, for all areas in the State of Maryland impacted by COVID-19,” the White House said in a statement.

Other states also had disaster declarations approved on Thursday, including Missouri and Illinois.

In a statement of his own, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said that the president’s move will help “provide much-needed funding for state and local governments and nonprofits, and it will be another important step in Maryland’s aggressive and coordinated response to COVID-19.”

Maryland confirmed 157 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 580. Between Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, there are more than 1,200 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Thursday evening, the U.S. surpassed both China and Italy in the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases, with more than 85,000 sickened in the country and more than 1,200 dead.