The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading across the DMV, leading to unprecedented changes to our everyday life to curtail the disease.
Maryland, Virginia and D.C. have all issued stay-at-home orders to help slow the spread of the virus. Scroll down in this blog to find what that means for each state and the District.
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Key Facts
- The first case was discovered on March 5
- Events with more than 10 people have been banned.
- D.C.-Baltimore area recognized as "emerging hot spot"
- D.C., Maryland, and Virginia have declared States of Emergency
- D.C., Maryland and Virginia have issued stay-at-home orders
- Face masks required for grocery shoppers in D.C. and Maryland
- Restaurants are carry-out, drive-through or delivery only
- Teleworking for non-essential D.C. government workers is extended in the District until May 15
- Public schools in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia are closed
- Maryland, Virginia and D.C. have ordered all non-essential businesses to close
- Maryland and Virginia primaries delayed
Wednesday, April 15:
9:55 p.m.: Frederick County Health Officer Dr. Barbara Brookmyer rescinds health order issued April 14 declaring face masks required at essential businesses, since Gov. Larry Hogan’s Executive Order 20-04-15-01 is immediately effective.
RELATED: Maryland requires face coverings be worn by everyone over the age of 9: Here's what that means
8:43 p.m: The Alexandria Health Department confirmed 26 additional cases of COVID-19 and two additional fatalities in Alexandria.
7:58 p.m.: Fairfax County Public Schools cancels first week of distance learning due to technical issues. Classes are expected to resume on April 20.
6:31 p.m.: Montgomery County Department of Transportation says face coverings are required for bus riders starting April 16.
6:14 p.m.: The Frederick County Health Department is now reporting 497 positive cases of COVID-19 and 20 deaths.
6:03 p.m.: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announces $70 Million in new funding to expand access to child care during COVID-19 pandemic.
3:10 p.m.: Four additional members of DC Fire and EMS have tested positive for coronavirus. This brings the current number of those who have tested positive to 68 within the Department. Thirty-three of the 68 members have recovered and returned to full duty.
3 p.m.: Fairfax County Department of Transportation officials urge passengers to use non-medical face coverings or cloth masks when riding Fairfax Connector buses. While the use of cloth face coverings is strongly encouraged, no one without such a face covering will be denied entry to Fairfax Connector buses.
2:30 p.m.: Gov. Hogan announces a new executive order saying that Marylanders over the age of nine must wear face masks when going to essential businesses, including laundromats and grocery stores, and when using public transportation. The order goes in effect on at 7 a.m. on April 18.
Beyond mandatory face masks, Hogan also stated that Maryland has received 1 million additional face shields and 1,000 ICU beds. In the next week, the state is expecting deliveries of 4.5 million additional N95 masks, 290 oxygen concentrators, and 252 ICU ventilators.
2 p.m. Gov. Northam extends shutdown order for nonessential businesses until May 8.
11:23 a.m.: Mayor Muriel Bowser extended D.C.'s public health emergency until May 15. Stay-at-home orders remain in effect for at least another month. It also means everything from schools to bars and restaurants -- except for take-out, delivery and drive-through -- remain closed.
"We'll need until at least May 15 to help flatten the curve," Bowser said.
She also gave additional guidance for wearing masks in the District, saying masks are required in grocery stores, hotels, taxis, ride-shares and other private transportation, and strongly encouraged for workers and riders of public transit.
11 a.m.: The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the second case of COVID-19 within the agency. The deputy, who serves in the Loudoun Adult Detention Center, tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend and last worked on April 7. The deputy had no physical contact with inmates, and limited contact with five staff members, all of whom tested negative, according to the sheriff's office.
10:30 a.m.: Maryland reports 10,032 positive cases in the state -- a one-day increase of 560 cases. Also, 349 people have died as a result of the virus and 2,231 people have been hospitalized.
10 a.m.: There are now 2,197 positive cases of coronavirus in D.C. -- a one-day increase of 139 cases. Health officials said 72 people have died in the District so far.
9:30 a.m.: Virginia now reports 6,500 positive cases of coronavirus in the commonwealth. Of those cases, 1,048 people have been hospitalized and 195 people have died.
9:15 a.m.: Prince William County has established a COVID-19 disaster relief and recovery fund that is open to community donations.
7:30 a.m.: A Whole Foods employee at the store in Logan Circle said multiple people have tested positive for the coronavirus, but the store has not shut down for cleaning, and shoppers are not being told.
Tuesday, April 14:
10:01 p.m. The D.C. Department of Corrections says four additional residents in DOC custody have tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 23 residents who tested positive are in isolation and 32 individuals who recovered from their illness have been returned to the general population.
9:57 p.m.: LCPS said a member of the J. Michael Lunsford Middle School staff has tested positive for the coronavirus.
9:43 p.m.: Metro is asking that its passengers wear face masks, but they will still accept passengers who do not.
9:08 p.m.: Maryland Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals has extended the emergency order limiting court functions until June 5.
8:39 p.m.: Frederick County now requires those in its jurisdiction to wear face masks at essential businesses like grocery stores and pharmacies.
7:08 p.m.: The Alexandria Health Department confirmed seven additional cases of COVID-19 and two additional fatalities in Alexandria, bringing the total number of cases to 248, including four fatalities.
7:06 p.m.: Bowser authorized a $14 a day per diem for employees who are required to physically report to work to fulfill their official duties during the COVID-19 health emergency.
6:22 p.m.: The Department of Behavioral Health reports four COVID-19 related deaths at Saint Elizabeths Hospital.
5 p.m.: President Trump announces that the United States will stop sending payments to the World Health Organization.
1 p.m.: The Montgomery County Council is expected to introduce a bill that would ban any rent increases during, or within the 30 days following, some states of emergency.
Expedited Bill 18-20 would also require landlords who previously notified a tenant of a rent increase to let their tenant(s) know to disregard the increase.
11:30 a.m.: Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman announced shoppers must wear face coverings starting April 15 in all retail businesses.
10:15 a.m.: Maryland now reports 9,472 positive cases of coronavirus in the state. Of those cases, 2,122 people have been hospitalized and 302 people have died.
10 a.m.: Health officials now say there are 2,058 positive cases of coronavirus in D.C. That's a single-day increase of 103 cases. Of those cases, 67 people have died in the District.
9 a.m.: Virginia now reports there are 6, 171 total cases in the state. 154 people have died as a result of the virus and 974 people have been hospitalized. The new numbers bring the total number of positive cases in the DMV to over 17,000.
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: