$($a$)(1)$ Except as provided in paragraph $(2)$ of this subsection, if a covered employee is temporarily totally disabled due to an accidental personal injury or an occupational disease, the employer or its insurer shall pay the covered employee compensation that equals two$-$thirds of the average weekly wage of the covered employee, but:

$($i$)$ does not exceed the average weekly wage of the State; and

$($ii$)$ is not less than $$50.$

$(2)$ If the average weekly wage of the covered employee is less than $$50$ at the time of the accidental personal injury or the last injurious exposure to the hazards of the occupational disease, the employer or its insurer shall pay the covered employee compensation that equals the average weekly wage of the covered employee.

Duration of payment

$($b$)$ The employer or its insurer shall pay the compensation for the period that the covered employee is temporarily totally disabled