Coronavirus live updates: Covid-19 may be latest sign that world has entered ‘pandemic era,’ Fauci warns

Maryland is moving to its third phase of economic recovery Friday afternoon, but the state’s Washington suburbs have decided to stay put.

Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties announced Thursday they will opt out of Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s plans for Phase 3. The two counties join Montgomery County and Baltimore City in remaining in the second recovery phase, with leaders saying that the novel coronavirus isn’t contained at levels that would safely allow lifting restrictions.

“Our numbers clearly show that it is not safe to move to Phase 3,” Prince George’s Health Officer Ernest L. Carter said at a news conference. “If we stay vigilant together, the road forward can be a lot smoother. If we don’t . . . we might as well buckle up for another surge.”