Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said COVID-19 is overwhelming normal operations at hospitals, and he's issuing a state of emergency and two executive orders.

STATE OF EMERGENCY, EXECUTIVE ORDERS ISSUED

The governor issued a 30-day state of emergency to take urgent short-term actions to combat the current crisis. He also issued two executive orders, the first order gives the state health secretary the ability to regulate hospital personnel, bed space and supplies, which includes directing and expediting the transfer of patients between hospitals.

The second order further augments the EMS workforce, Hogan said. The governor is mobilizing 1,000 members of the Maryland National Guard to assist local health officials with the emergency pandemic response. About 250 members will be deployed to support COVID-19 testing sites at hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, and to assist with patient transport as needed.

GUARD TO ASSIST WITH COVID-19 TESTING OPERATIONS

Additional guard members will be assigned to support operations at the state's two new testing sites at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health in Bel Air and Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis. These sites are accepting walk-ups seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.