President Donald Trump approved Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's request to declare a state disaster due to the new coronavirus.

MARYLAND — President Donald Trump on Thursday approved a request by Gov. Larry Hogan to declare a major disaster in Maryland. Trump's disaster declaration will free up some federal resources to fight the state's growing coronavirus outbreak.

Maryland has 580 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, the state reported Thursday. Four people have died, and 132 were hospitalized overall.

"This declaration 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," Hogan said in a statement Thursday night.

Hogan announced Wednesday he had asked for a Presidential Disaster Declaration and expressed gratitude Thursday for the quick response, stating: "We are pleased that our federal partners answered our calls for action and swiftly granted Maryland's request."

Under the declaration, the governor said Maryland will be eligible for reimbursement through the federal Public Assistance program under the Robert T. Stafford Act for emergency protective measures taken by state and local government agencies and certain nonprofit groups.

"The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on our entire state and country unlike anything we have seen before," Executive Director for the Maryland Emergency Management Agency Russell Strickland said in a statement. "We have been working alongside Governor Hogan and our local partners to ensure the continued safety and well-being of all Marylanders. This declaration is an important and necessary step to continue on our path of resilience."

Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Pete Gaynor named MaryAnn Tierney the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in Maryland.

Trump's declaration said that "additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments."