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.

A County Department of Recreation & Parks project to improve the parking lot, sidewalks and stormwater management controls at South Branch Park in Sykesville, is expected to begin Monday, March 16. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by early July.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, in coordination with the Howard County Department of Health, has canceled the Resident’s Budget Hearing that was planned for Thursday, March 12th.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced today the decision to cancel all official out-of-state travel for County employees for the next 45 days to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Maryland.

A Howard County construction project to improve a stormwater management pond near 8409 Sweet Cherry Lane in Laurel is scheduled to begin on or about Monday, March 16. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late October. 

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking adult and student applicants to serve on the Human Rights Commission. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

Howard County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held a public meeting on Monday evening, where the Army Corps presented their review of the County’s flood mitigation plan for Ellicott City.

Howard County’s Department of Public Works will hold a public meeting on Thursday, March 12 to discuss plans to stabilize an unnamed tributary to the Little Patuxent River at a site behind 3951-3959 Ducks Foot Lane. The project is expected to begin early September 2020.

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball gathered top officials from the County, the Howard County Health Department, and the Howard County General Hospital to address Howard County’s coronavirus prevention and preparedness efforts. There are currently no confirmed coronavirus cases in Howard County or the state of Maryland.

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County Executive Calvin Ball will host a press conference on Wednesday, March 4th at 11:30 a.m. at the George Howard Building to address Howard County’s coronavirus prevention and preparedness efforts. There are currently no confirmed coronavirus cases in Howard County or the state of Maryland.

Howard County residents Barbara Allen, Evelyn Darden, Lori Fuchs, Terri Hill and Tracey Williams are the newest inductees into the County’s Women’s Hall of Fame. 

Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball released the Spending Affordability Advisory Committee’s Report for the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21).

The Howard County Health Department is preparing to enter Vaccination Phase 1B and begin providing vaccine to Howard County residents who are 75 years and older, beginning Monday, January 25.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, the Office of Human Rights and Equity and the Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission invite you to join them for multiple events this weekend to celebrate the life and legacy of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced Dr. Denise Boston as the County’s first Equity and Restorative Practices Manager.

Howard County’s Department of Housing and Community Development is now accepting applications for its Moderate Income Housing Unit program January open enrollment period, its first enrollment period of 2021.

Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball recognized the 118th Korean American Day with a virtual celebration with community members.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has announced that the County was selected to apply for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to finance the North Tunnel and other flood mitigation projects as part of the Ellicott City Safe & Sound plan.

Howard County Government offices, courts and animal shelter will be closed in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday on Monday, January 18th. However, regular trash, recycling and food scrap/yard trim services will be in effect and the Alpha Ridge Landfill will be open.

Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball noted Howard County’s unemployment rate for November dropped to 4.9%, down from 5.7% in October. Howard County reached a peak unemployment rate of 8.1% in April 2020 and has seen that decrease steadily since then.