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 the most important to help combat the spread of the virus.
This blog details the latest updates on the coronavirus 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.
Tracking the Coronavirus
- D.C. has now been averaging more than 100 new cases of the coronavirus a day for three days straight. The last time the city’s seven-day average broke the 100 mark was late May.
- The number of beds in use at D.C. hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients has jumped by 10% over the past several days. DC Health now reports more than 90% of all acute care beds in the city are in use – what the agency considers “insufficient capacity.”
- Friday marks the highest single-day case county Maryland has seen since the pandemic started, with 1,869 new cases reported – 84 more cases than the previous record set during the height of the first wave in May.
- Maryland has now set a new record average high each day for a week street. As of Friday, the state was averaging 1,466 new cases of the coronavirus a day.
- Maryland has seen its hospitalizations due to the coronavirus jump by an incredible 50% statewide over the past week. In just seven days, that number has grown by 300 patients. As of Friday, there are more than 900 people in Maryland currently hospitalized for treatment of the coronavirus.
- Friday marks the 24th-straight day Virginia has averaged more than 1,000 case a day. This week also marked the first time the commonwealth’s seven-day average broke the 1,500 mark.
- Virginia is on track to report its 200,00th case on Saturday – which will make it the 19th state in the country to do so, according to data reported by the New York Times. More than 13,000 people in the commonwealth have now had to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 over the course of the pandemic, and nearly 3,800 have died.
Reopening the DMV
The latest in reopening news:
- D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is requesting outside residents to have a negative test result when traveling to the District.
- Montgomery County and Prince George's County, Maryland are still in Phase 2 of reopening, but the governor says it's time for everyone to be on the same page. More here.
- Maryland Governor Larry Hogan calls the rise in case numbers concerning, urging people to "Wear the damn mask."
- A new order from Maryland's governor may allow fans to watch football in person again. Details here.
- County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced some youth sports registration would reopen to children in the county.
- Mayor Bowser extends D.C.'s public health emergency order until Dec. 31, 2020. Read the full order here.
- D.C. Public Schools announces that a limited number of DCPS students can return to in-person learning starting in November. Read the detailed plan here.
- Montgomery County has adjusted some of its Phase 2 guidelines and proposed new restrictions. More here.
- Metro returns to a normal schedule with masks and social distancing still required.
Previous Updates
November 12:
- On Thursday, D.C.’s daily case rate broke into the “substantial community spread” category – a red line in DC Health’s reopening metrics that the city hasn’t crossed since May 29. D.C. is now averaging nearly 16 new cases a day per 100,000 people. That’s more than three times the goal for moving onto Phase 3.
- Usage of the city’s health system capacity is also creeping upward. As of Thursday, DC Health estimates 86% of beds at acute care hospitals in the city are occupied.
- Thursday marks the sixth consecutive day Maryland has set a new record high for its seven-day average. The state is now averaging more than 1,400 new cases of the coronavirus a day.
- Hospital bed usage in Maryland continues to rise as well. The state added another 60 patients to beds between Wednesday and Thursday, and the total number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the state has increased by nearly 50% in the last week.
- Gov. Hogan announced an additional $70 million in targeted investments through CARES Act funding to prepare Maryland’s emergency response to the second wave of the virus. The breakdown includes:
- $20M to PPE
- $15M to unemployment insurance
- $10M for rent payments for low-income tenants
- $10M for mass distribution of a vaccine
- $10M to food banks
- $2M to foster care
- $2M to SNAP & energy assistance programs
- $1M for wastewater testing
- Like Maryland, Virginia has now set a new record high seven-day average for the sixth day in a row. The commonwealth is now averaging 1,546 new cases of the virus a day.
- Virginia is now averaging a positivity of 6.5% for coronavirus tests – the commonwealth’s highest average since mid-September.
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: