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 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
- Maryland and Virginia primaries delayed
Tuesday, April 14:
10:01 p.m. The DC 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 5th
8:39 p.m.: Frederick County will now require 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.
Monday, April 13:
3:30 p.m.: The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) confirms that five of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19. These cases were confirmed between March 27 and April 7, 2020.
2 p.m.: Virginia Gov. Ralph discussed modeling, education and budget concerns during his latest news conference on April 13. He says Virginia-specific modeling shows the commonwealth's surge may come sometime between late April and early May.
11 a.m.: Mayor Muriel Bowser says the first inmate at the D.C. Central Detention Facility has died on April 13 after a positive coronavirus diagnosis on April 7. He was identified as 51-year-old Deon Crowell and had been in DOC custody since 2018, officials said.
Bowser added that homebound people who need assistance with food or essential services can call the hotline at 1-888-349-8323, or visit the website here for help. Students who need to go to school for meals, including and families who need grocery items can visit the online resources here for locations.
9 a.m.: Maryland has begun tracking coronavirus cases down to the zip code instead of just the county level. 20904 has the highest amount of coronavirus cases in the DC-area of Maryland.
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: