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 still important, but our counties and communities have begun to reopen.
This blog details the latest updates on our Road to Recovery 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.
Reopening the DMV
.The latest in reopening news:
- Virginia has begun Phase 3 of reopening. More details about Phase III in Virginia here.
- A last-minute change prohibits bar seating in Phase 3 of Virginia's reopening. More details here.
- D.C. is now in Phase II of reopening. It means restaurants and non-essential retail can open indoors at 50% capacity and gyms and yoga studios can reopen with restrictions. Full details on what Phase II means in D.C. here.
- Metro has reopened some stops. Here's what you need to know.
- All of Maryland is now in Phase II, and the state's largest casino, MGM National Harbor, has reopened.
- Amusement parks have begun declaring opening dates. Click here for more on those.
Tracking the Coronavirus
- D.C. reported 73 new cases on Wednesday – it’s highest single-day total in more than a month. D.C. coronavirus live updates
- Maryland has now been on a slight upward trend in coronavirus cases for more than a week.
- On Wednesday, Maryland reported 9 new deaths from the coronavirus, which is a return to the norm after Tuesday’s above-average count. Maryland coronavirus live updates
- On Wednesday, Virginia reported 635 new cases of the coronavirus. The commonwealth has now reported more than 600 cases a day for five of the past seven days.
- Discounting the depressed reporting numbers from the holiday weekend, daily deaths in Virginia have now been on an upward trend for two weeks. As of Wednesday, the commonwealth was averaging between five to nine more deaths a day from the virus than it was a month ago. Virginia coronavirus live updates
Tuesday, July 7:
- D.C. reported 54 new cases on Tuesday – its highest single-day total in 19 days. Because of the Fourth of July weekend, this could be at least partly attributable to a delay in reporting.
- Ward 7 became the city’s fifth Ward on Tuesday to reach 1,500 cases of the coronavirus.
- Prince George’s County, Maryland, has now reported more than 19,000 cases of the coronavirus and nearly 700 deaths related to it. That’s higher than the case counts of 20 states, including Kentucky, New Mexico and Oregon.
- Maryland reported 28 new deaths from the coronavirus on Tuesday – its highest single-day death count since June 16. Below-average death counts on Sunday and especially Monday may indicate this is more reflective of a lag in reporting than a sudden increase in deaths, however.
- On Tuesday, for the fourth time in five days Virginia reported more than 600 new cases of the coronavirus. The state has been averaging below 600 new cases a day for 24 days, but is now one more day above 600 cases from losing that streak.
- Whether or not Monday’s report of 0 new deaths in Virginia was accurate or not, it was not the start of a trend. The commonwealth reported 28 new deaths on Tuesday – a return to the upward trend Virginia has been on since June 20.
- Daily cases in Virginia have now been on a slight upward trend for 10 consecutive days.
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: