WASHINGTON — The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading across the DMV, leading to unprecedented changes to our everyday life to reduce the disease.
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Tuesday, May 19:
- Fairfax County parks will reopen for limited use in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines for Memorial Day weekend. Playgrounds, restrooms, dog parks, volleyball/basketball courts and athletic fields will remain closed and water fountains will be turned off.
- Arlington County Board accepted and appropriated a $20.66 million federal grant to support programs and services affected by pandemic.
- DC allows certain non-essential businesses to reopen for curbside pickup wth a waiver
- The 95th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim has been canceled due to coronavirus.
- Maryland health officials report 1,784 new cases of coronavirus in the state and 60 additional deaths.
- 400 people have died from the coronavirus in D.C. Health officials report 8 new deaths as a result of the virus, and 164 new cases.
- Virginia reports 1,005 new coronavirus cases in the commonwealth, and 27 additional deaths as a result of the virus.
Monday, May 18:
- More than 1,000 people received free coronavirus tests at Prince William County's testing site.
- Fairfax County releases first draft of plan to bring students back to classrooms
RELATED: Fairfax County Public Schools lays out plan for transitioning students back to in-person learning
- Gov. Ralph Northam announced he would reopen public beaches in Virginia Beach during his Monday press briefing.
- DC had its first slight uptick in its 7-day average after 8 consecutive days of decline. The District is still on a downward trend overall.
- Also in the District, Mayor Muriel Bowser presented her Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposal to the city council on Monday.
- Virginia shows signs of "bending" the curve. Prior to May 4, the commonwealth had seen a more or less uninterrupted period of growth in cases reported each day. Since then, while daily cases are up overall, that growth has noticeably flattened out.
- That being said, Virginia still isn't anywhere near its goal of 10,000 COVID-19 tests per day, and the number of tests being reported has declined for three days straight.
- Maryland reports a single-day increase of 958 new coronavirus cases in the state. Health officials report 27 additional deaths as a result of the virus. 1,903 people have died in Maryland due to coronavirus. There are now 39,762 cases in the state.
- D.C. health officials report 147 new positive cases of coronavirus and 9 additional deaths as a result of the virus.
- Virginia health officials report 752 new cases of coronavirus in the commonwealth, and 5 additional deaths.
Updates on coronavirus cases come from health departments between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. every day.
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: Return to class: Fairfax County lays out plan for students to safely return to school this fall