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
- The District has now failed to meet its transmission rate goal for coronavirus cases for two weeks. The goal is to be below 1 new infection per case, on average. Since June 26, that number has been above 1, and as high as 1.3 (the data for this metric lags and is only available up to July 10).
- Despite a recent rise in new cases, for now COVID-19-related hospital bed use in D.C. continues to remain flat. As of Thursday, 91 beds in D.C. hospitals were in use by COVID-19 patients – roughly the same number as have been in use since July 3. D.C. coronavirus live updates
- Maryland has reported more than 15,000 coronavirus tests on seven of the past eight days. That’s helping the state keep its percent positivity at 4.5%, even as the number of cases statewide continues increasing.
- As of Thursday, the Maryland Department of Health reports the state has conducted more than 1 million coronavirus tests.
- After months of decline, the number of hospital beds in use for coronavirus patients in Maryland has been steadily increasing over the past week and a half – rising from 386 on July 13 to 528 as of Thursday (a 37% increase). Maryland coronavirus live updates
- Virginia’s seven-day average for daily deaths from the coronavirus has been on a declining trend since July 3. However, deaths from the virus have tended to have a two week lag period behind increases in new cases, so that trend may reverse itself within the next week.
- Virginia hospitals have begun reporting difficulty in obtaining adequate PPE again. As of Tuesday, two hospitals in the commonwealth told VDH they were having such difficulties. The last time a hospital reported troubled getting PPE was May 2.
- The number of patients on ventilators in Virginia is on the rise again, increasing from a low of 86 on July 7 to 136 as of Thursday – a 58% increase in the past two weeks. Virginia coronavirus live updates
Wednesday, July 22:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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: