WASHINGTON — The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) remains present around the country, as well as here in the DMV. Things like masks and social distancing are still important, but our counties and communities have begun to reopen.
This blog details the latest updates on our Road to Recovery in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Check-in each day for what’s new, where each part of the DMV is at in its phased reopening plan and what direction the coronavirus trend is headed.
Have a question? Text it to us at 202-895-5599.
Updates on coronavirus cases come from health departments between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. every day.
Reopening the DMV
.The latest in reopening news:
- Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said the jurisdiction will remain in Phase 2 of reopening. Here's the latest.
- Virginia has begun Phase 3 of reopening. More details about Phase III in Virginia here.
- A last-minute change prohibits bar seating in Phase 3 of Virginia's reopening. More details here.
- As new cases have begun rising again in Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam has promised stricter enforcement of mask and social distancing rules. What that means here
- D.C. is now in Phase II of reopening. It means restaurants and non-essential retail can open indoors at 50% capacity and gyms and yoga studios can reopen with restrictions. Full details on what Phase II means in D.C. here.
- Metro has reopened some stops. Here's what you need to know.
- All of Maryland is now in Phase II, and the state's largest casino, MGM National Harbor, has reopened.
- Amusement parks have begun declaring opening dates. Click here for more on those.
Tracking the Coronavirus
- D.C. reported 104 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday. That’s the first time the District has reported more than 100 cases in a single day since June 4. D.C. coronavirus live updates
- Maryland has now reported more than 80,000 total cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began.
- Daily deaths from COVID-19, which have been declining for months, have plateaued over the past week. Maryland is now averaging 10 new deaths a day from the virus.
- After dropping to a low of around 350 cases a day in late June, Maryland is now averaging more than 700 cases a day again. Maryland coronavirus live updates
- Virginia has now reported more than 80,000 cases of the coronavirus.
- On Wednesday, for the first time since the pandemic began the commonwealth’s total COVID-19 case count surpassed Maryland’s.
- Virginia has reported more than 1,000 cases a day on four of the past eight days. It’s now averaging 981 cases a day – where it was at in early June near the height of the first wave. Virginia coronavirus live updates
Tuesday, July 21:
- On Tuesday, D.C. reported 88 new cases of the coronavirus. That’s its highest daily case count since June 4.
- The District has now been on an upward trend for two weeks, and its seven-day moving average is now double what it was at the beginning of that trend (69 cases, versus 35).
- Maryland has been on a significant upward trend over the past two weeks. Since July 7, when it was averaging 405 cases a day, its seven-day moving average has risen by more than 86%. As of Tuesday, the state is now averaging 755 new cases a day – where it was at in mid-June.
- As WUSA9 reported on Monday, an average of 40% of Maryland's new cases each day now come from residents under the age of 30. That’s up from around 28% at the beginning of June.
- Virginia has now been on an upward trend for a month. As of Tuesday, the commonwealth is averaging 990 new cases of the coronavirus a day. That’s up 75% from where it was two weeks ago.
- Virginia is now just 175 cases away from surpassing Maryland’s total coronavirus case count. At the beginning of July, the states differed by more than 4,500 cases.
Monday, July 20:
- DC returned to its recent upward trend over the weekend, and has now reported more than 70 cases in a single day three times over the past week. The District began July averaging 34 cases a day.
- Maryland reported 925 cases of the coronavirus on Sunday – its highest single-day count since late May. The state is now averaging more than 700 new cases a day. That’s twice the rate it began July at.
- Maryland has reported a huge increase in coronavirus testing volume over the past few days. On Saturday alone the state reported results from more than 28,000 tests.
- Virginia has reported more than 1,000 new cases a day on three of the past seven days. The commonwealth is now averaging more than 960 new cases a day – just 14% below its all-time high.
- As of Monday, Virginia’s total case count is just 300 below the state of Maryland’s. At their current growth rates, Virginia is set to surpass Maryland’s total case count for the first time ever within the next few days.
- Also as of Monday, Virginia reports nearly 80% of the hospital beds in the state are currently in use. That’s up from 64% in mid-April.
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:
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