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
- 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.
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:
- D.C. reported 206 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday – its highest single-day total since late May. Daily test data lags behind, and is only available up to November 7, so it’s unclear what, if any, connection to the weekend’s celebrations these numbers may have.
- The city is now averaging more than 100 new cases a day for the first time since May 30.
- Maryland reported 1,714 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday. That’s its highest single-day count since May 15, and just 4% below it’s all-time high for a single day.
- In Maryland, the state is averaging 1,379 new cases a day – up 86% from where it was just two weeks ago. It’s the fifth consecutive day Maryland has set a new record average high.
- The state’s average percent positivity for coronavirus tests has been steadily rising for weeks, and hit 5.6% on Wednesday. That’s the highest that metric has been since late May.
- In Virginia, even as testing numbers hit all-time highs – the commonwealth is now averaging nearly 20,000 tests a day – the average percent positivity of those tests continue to climb as well. Virginia is now averaging a positivity of 6.2%. This means even though new cases are spiking, the commonwealth is likely still missing even more cases that aren’t being found through testing.
- The number of COVID-19 patients in Virginia ICU beds has jumped by nearly 25% over the past three days. As of Wednesday, 250 coronavirus patients were being treated in the commonwealth’s ICUs – 106 of them on ventilators.
- Prince George's County reports the highest coronavirus numbers they have seen since May, so has COVID-19 test positivity rates.
- Attending house parties and large gatherings is the leading cause of the rise in cases in Prince George's County, officials said.
- Prince George's County reaching up to 25 additional cases a day and is almost at a critical stage.
- Prince George's County officials recommend not traveling for Thanksgiving. They urge residents to only host intimate gatherings with members of your immediate household.
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: