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:
- 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.
- 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.
- D.C. 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.
- There's been a spike in new cases nationally, but the DMV is bucking that trend. Here's why.
Tracking the Coronavirus
- D.C. has been averaging fewer than 40 new cases a day for a week now – less than half of the 90 new cases a day it was averaging on June 1. D.C. coronavirus live updates
- Maryland began June averaging more than 900 new cases a day. As of Wednesday, the state has been averaging fewer than 400 new cases a day for 12 days.
- Maryland's trend has been plateaued over those same 12 days at around 365 new cases a day. Maryland coronavirus live updates
- Northern Virginia’s share of the state’s new coronavirus cases reported each day has dropped from 60% when Phase I of reopening started to around 30%.
- Virginia entered June averaging more than 1,000 new cases a day. As of Wednesday, it is now averaging around 525 new cases a day.
- Despite the above, Virginia is the only part of the DMV that has seen a significant increase from its lowest average. Daily cases are now, on average, 9% higher than they were on June 21. Virginia coronavirus live updates
Tuesday, June 30:
- D.C. will finish June having declined for weeks down to the level of new daily cases it was at in late March.
- For the second time this month, the District reported 0 new deaths from the coronavirus on Tuesday.
- Maryland remains plateaued at around 300-400 new cases a day, where it has been for about 10 days.
- Deaths in Maryland remain on a generally downward trend, as they have been since late May.
- Coronavirus-related deaths have been on an upward trend in Virginia for the past 7 days. Four of the last 7 days have seen more than 20 deaths per day, which hasn’t happened since the end of May.
- Virginia’s new case trend has been heading in a slightly upward direction since June 20.
- Virginia’s average percent positivity has begun to creep back up from 5.8% on June 23 to 6% as of Tuesday. That’s still below the 10% goalpost.
Monday, June 29:
- New coronavirus cases and deaths in D.C. have declined down to where they were in the first few weeks of the pandemic.
- The doubling time for coronavirus cases in D.C. continues slowing, and has now reached nearly 230 days.
- The decline in new deaths from the coronavirus in Maryland has slowed to essentially nothing, although they remain at their lowest point since April.
- Maryland may be on a slight upward trend in new cases, although daily case numbers have now dropped to where they were in mid-April.
- Maryland is now reporting an average percent positivity below 5%.
- Somerset County now says it has tested nearly 20% of its population. It’s far and away the highest percentage of any county in Maryland.
- Coronavirus-related deaths have been on an upward trend in Virginia for the past 6 days. Three of the last 7 days have seen more than 20 deaths per day, which hasn’t happened since the end of May.
- Virginia’s new case trend has been on a slight upward trend as well over the past week. It’s been plateaued at around 500-530 new cases a day since June 15, which was 10 days after most of Virginia began Phase 2.
- Virginia has lost ground on its coronavirus doubling time, speeding back up from its slowest pace of 84 days to 76 days, as of Monday.
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: