WASHINGTON — 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 live blog to find what that means for each state and the District.
Have a question? Text it to us at 202-895-5700.
Key Facts
- The first case was discovered on March 5
- Events with more than 10 people have been banned.
- D.C., Maryland, and Virginia have declared States of Emergency
- D.C., Maryland and Virginia have issued stay-at-home orders
- Online learning and teleworking for non-essential D.C. government workers is extended in the District until April 27
- Public schools in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia are closed
- Maryland, Virginia and D.C. have ordered all non-essential businesses to close
This story is no longer being updated. Check here for the latest information.
Thursday, April 2
9:23 p.m.: LCPS says a transportation staff member who has supported the meal service program has tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member is self-isolating and last worked in the Potomac Falls/Dominion High School region on March 26.
7:13 p.m.: Governor Ralph Northam announced that Virginia has received a Major Disaster Declaration to aid in the Commonwealth’s response to coronavirus.
7:01 p.m.: Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services announces four coronavirus-related deaths, for a total of six deaths in the County. They also said 10 nursing homes reporting cases of COVID-19 among staff or residents.
6:11 p.m.: The Prince George's County Department of Corrections says three inmates and one Correctional Officer tested positive for COVID-19.
6:08 p.m.: DC Department of Corrections announces four more inmates have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total to 12 positive residents in DOC custody.
5:55 p.m.: A Giant Food employee at the Columbia Heights store tested positive for coronavirus. Three additional employees were asked to self-quarantine.
5:48 p.m.: A Prince George’s County police officer tested positive for coronavirus.
3:00 p.m.: Two additional members of D.C. Fire and EMS have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to 23 positively-tested members.
11:30 a.m.: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said a COVID-19 testing site opens Friday at United Medical Center. The drive-through and walk-up facility is only open to D.C. residents with symptoms who are 65 and older, healthcare workers, first responders, and D.C. residents with underlying medical conditions. A hotline will be set up in the coming days so residents can call ahead and make an appointment.
10 a.m.: One more person has died in D.C. following a coronavirus diagnosis, health officials said, bringing the total number of deaths to 12. Positive cases in the District stand at 653, an increase of 67 cases since last report.
10 a.m.: More than 2,000 positive coronavirus cases reported Maryland. The state's total is 2,331 cases. The highest concentration of cases comes from Montgomery and Prince George's counties.
The state also announced 36 deaths as a result of the virus -- an increase of five deaths. Details on those deaths have not yet been released.
9 a.m.: Virginia reports a total of 1,706 cases of coronavirus in the commonwealth. Of those cases, 246 have required hospitalization. A total of 41 people have died as a result of the virus.
Wednesday, April 1:
7:16 p.m.: WHCA Board voted to remove a news outlet from the rotation for a seat in the briefing room after violating social distancing policy requests.
7 p.m.: Two more D.C. jail inmates test positive for the coronavirus. So far, eight inmates have tested positive for the virus.
6:40 p.m.: Six positive cases and one death were reported at a Frederick County nursing home, Frederick Health and Rehabilitation Center. It's the second death in the county.
2:30 p.m. Seven more members with D.C. Fire & EMS test positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to 21.
2 p.m. Gov. Ralph Northam provides updates on coronavirus in the commonwealth, elaborating on his decision for a June 10 stay-at-home order and urging Virginians to fill out the Census. So far, there are 1,481 cases and 34 deaths in Virginia.
"I have always been under the model that you should expect the worst, but hope for the best," Northam said.
11:30 a.m. Fairfax County officials reporting three additional deaths due to complications of COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths in the health district to five.
11:30 a.m. Mayor Muriel Bowser responds to questions about DOC inmate cases, saying six inmates tested positive at the D.C. detention center, and 88 are quarantined.
11 a.m. COVID-19 cases are almost at 600 in D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced 586 positive cases -- including 12 sworn MPD officers and at least 21 D.C. Fire & EMS -- and 11 deaths in the District.
Additionally, 154 officers and 177 other D.C. Fire & EMS workers are under quarantine, Bowser said.
10 a.m.: Maryland reports 31 deaths due to coronavirus -- an overnight increase of 13 people -- and 1,985 people sickened from the virus. 522 of those cases have required hospitalization.
9 a.m.: Virginia has 1,484 positive cases of coronavirus -- an increase of 234 cases since numbers were last reported on March 31. The state also reports a total of 34 people have died as a result of the virus.
8:30 a.m.: Correctional officers in a news conference alleged that DOC leaders are not accurately reporting the number of COVID-19 cases at the D.C. jail.
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: