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Coronavirus in the DMV: May 12

The coronavirus impact on the DMV continues to grow. Here are the latest updates.

WASHINGTON — The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading across the DMV, leading to unprecedented changes to our everyday life to reduce the disease.

THIS STORY IS NO LONGER BEING UPDATED. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST UPDATES.

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Tuesday, May 12:

  • Northern Virginia can delay reopening until May 29, according to a new executive order signed by Governor Ralph Northam.

RELATED: Northern Virginia can delay reopening until May 29

  • Metro announces a requirement to wear face masks when using bus or rail. 
  • The DMV as a whole reported its lowest number of daily new cases since April 29.
  • Also, DMV cases as a whole grew by only 2% today – the lowest daily growth rate since the pandemic began.
  • DC and Maryland’s doubling time – the number of days it requires total cases to double – has also hit its slowest pace yet: 25 days for DC; and 23 days for Maryland.
  • DC’s daily cases have dropped for four days straight, and its 7-day average is also on a downward trend.
  • In Maryland, the state reported 70 new deaths on Tuesday – its highest single-day count from the virus.

RELATED: Maryland reports nearly 30% more deaths in March than normal

  • DC is now reporting 6,485 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 335 deaths.
  • Maryland is reporting 34,061 cases and 1,643 deaths.
  • Virginia is reporting 25,800 cases and 730 deaths.

Monday, May 11:

  • Metro won't resume full service until 2021

RELATED: With Metro's new reopening plan, service not being restored fully until 2021

  • While Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said most of the commonwealth has a 10% positive rate for the coronavirus, the Northern Virginia area's positive rate is 25%. A few counties in Northern Virginia accounted for more than 70% of new positive tests the state got over the weekend
  • Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says local leaders should make their own calls on when it is safe to reopen regions

RELATED: Local leaders should make their own decisions on reopening, Gov. Hogan says

  • Maryland is reporting 30% more deaths in March than normal
  • When should businesses reopen during the coronavirus pandemic? Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a tool to assess the risk for business owners.

RELATED: Johns Hopkins scientists release COVID-19 risk plan to help businesses safely reopen

  • D.C. unveiled the transformation of the D.C. Convention Center into a field hospital to support the District’s response to a possible medical surge.

RELATED: 'We hope we never need this facility' | Washington Convention Center transforms into extra COVID-19 hospital

  • Virginia, which is scheduled to begin reopening on Friday, has reported increasing case numbers for four days straight. Three of those days have exceeded the seven-day average.
  • D.C. and Maryland both reported daily declines in their new case numbers on Monday. The District's new case numbers have now declined for three days straight. Maryland's seven-day average remains flat.
  • D.C. now has an additional 117 coronavirus cases. Five more people have died from coronavirus. Health officials say there are now 6,389 cases and 328 lives lost in the District.
  • Maryland reports 786 new positive cases of coronavirus. State health officials say an additional 35 people have died as a result of the virus.
  • Virginia reports 989 new positive cases of coronavirus in the commonwealth with 11 additional deaths. In total, health officials report 25,070 total cases and 850 deaths as a result of the virus so far.

Read previous updates here.

Updates on coronavirus cases come from health departments between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. every day.  

Key Facts

  • Criteria for Phase One of reopening is 14-day decline in number of cases. 
  • Events with more than 10 people remain banned. 
  • D.C.-Baltimore area recognized as "emerging hot spot" 
  • D.C., Maryland, and Virginia are under States of Emergency
  • D.C., Maryland and Virginia remain under stay-at-home orders
  • Face masks required for shoppers on essential trips 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
  • 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

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:

RELATED: DMV grocery stores limit meat purchases by customers amid pandemic shortages

RELATED: Northern Virginia businesses devise reopening plans despite confusion over start date

RELATED: 'I am very concerned when I see students who don't show up to class' | Some students are falling behind in DC's distance learning model

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