WASHINGTON — The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) remains present around the country, as well as here in the DMV. Things like masks and social distancing are the most important to help combat the spread of the virus.
This blog details the latest updates on the coronavirus in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Check-in each day for what’s new, where each part of the DMV is at in its phased reopening plan and what direction the coronavirus trend is headed.
Have a question? Text it to us at 202-895-5599.
Updates on coronavirus cases come from health departments between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. every day.
Tracking the Coronavirus
- DC Health reports it has been able to complete a contact tracing interview within three days of a positive test for more than 70% of new cases throughout October. The city’s goal is more than 80% -- but that metric had dropped to around just half of cases at its low point in September.
- Meanwhile, the agency reports that less than half of new coronavirus cases have been willing to share close contact information with contact tracers. DC Health data shows that has been a consistent trend since July.
- In Maryland, the state department of health has reported a nearly 20% increase in acute hospital beds in use for coronavirus patients over the past two weeks. As of Tuesday, 300 acute hospital beds are in use to treat COVID-19 patients in the state. That’s Maryland’s highest point since August. In total, some 400 COVID-19 patients are currently being treated in Mary hospitals.
Reopening the DMV
The latest in reopening news:
- County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced some youth sports registration would reopen to children in the county.
- Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks advises against trick-or-treating this Halloween, per CDC guidelines. Haunted houses will also not be allowed in the county this year.
- Prince George's County health authorities are also cautioning against "trunk or treat" events that draw people to parking lots where candy is given from trunks of cars – suggesting that residents participate in organized drive-thru alternatives.
- Mayor Bowser extends D.C.'s public health emergency order until Dec. 31, 2020. Read the full order here.
- D.C. Public Schools announces that a limited number of DCPS students can return to in-person learning starting in November. Read the detailed plan here.
- DC health released its latest list of high-risk states.
- D.C. announced a pilot that will allow a limited number of venues to host live entertainment. Here are the details.
- Maryland has entered the third and final stage of its reopening plan, with all businesses able to reopen. Details on what Phase 3 looks like here.
- Montgomery County has adjusted some of its Phase 2 guidelines. More here.
- Prince George's County, Maryland, remains in Phase 2, but released additional reopenings. Here's a look.
- Metro returns to a normal schedule with masks and social distancing still required. Here's the latest.
Previous Updates
October 12:
- D.C.’s coronavirus trend has increased sharply over the past week – up 84% since dropping to its lowest levels since July at the beginning of this month. The city is now averaging nearly 70 new cases of the coronavirus a day.
- Maryland’s coronavirus trend has been on an upward trend for two weeks. The state is now averaging 22% more coronavirus case a day than it was at the end of September.
- More than 30,000 people in Prince George’s County have now tested positive for the coronavirus. In better news, the county’s average case rate per 100,000 residents has been declining since mid-September, when it was nearly 50% higher than the state average. As of Monday, the county’s average case rate was only about 12% higher than the state’s.
- Virginia’s average case rate has increased by 34% since October 1, and the commonwealth recorded its second-highest single day case count since the pandemic began last Thursday.
- Virginia’s average daily deaths from the coronavirus have been declining since mid-September when the commonwealth began reporting a backlog of unreported deaths. As of Monday, Virginia was averaging 12 new deaths from the coronavirus a day – four fewer a day than the beginning of October.
October 9:
- D.C. is now averaging 66 cases of the coronavirus a day. Two weeks ago it was averaging 42 cases. That's an increase of 57%.
- D.C. is now averaging 1 deaths from the coronavirus a day. Two weeks ago it was averaging 0 deaths. That's an increase of 0%.
- Today is not a record-high day for cases. D.C.'s current daily high is 335 cases.
- Today's case count is -81% lower than D.C.'s record high.
- Maryland is now averaging 581 cases of the coronavirus a day. Two weeks ago it was averaging 463 cases. That's an increase of 25%.
- Maryland is now averaging 5 deaths from the coronavirus a day. Two weeks ago it was averaging 7 deaths. That's a decrease of -29%.
- Today is not a record-high day for cases. Maryland's current daily high is 1784 cases.
- Today's case count is -69% lower than Maryland's record high.
- Virginia is now averaging 978 cases of the coronavirus a day. Two weeks ago it was averaging 804 cases. That's an increase of 21%.
- Virginia is now averaging 12 deaths from the coronavirus a day. Two weeks ago it was averaging 804 cases. That's an increase of 21%.
- Virginia is now averaging 12 deaths from the coronavirus a day. Two weeks ago it was averaging 20 deaths. That's an increase of -40%.
- Today is not a record-high day for cases. Virginia's current daily high is 2015 cases.
- Today's case count is -60% lower than Virginia's record high.
What precautions should you take?
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Check the status of the virus in your state with your state health department's websites by tapping below: