The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading across the DMV, leading to unprecedented changes to our everyday life to curtail the disease.
Maryland, Virginia and D.C. have all issued stay-at-home orders to help slow the spread of the virus. Scroll down in this blog to find what that means for each state and the District.
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Key Facts
- The first case was discovered on March 5
- Events with more than 10 people have been banned.
- D.C., Maryland, and Virginia have declared States of Emergency
- D.C., Maryland and Virginia have issued stay-at-home orders
- Online learning and teleworking for non-essential D.C. government workers is extended in the District until April 27
- Public schools in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia are closed
- Maryland, Virginia and D.C. have ordered all non-essential businesses to close
Wednesday, April 8
8:11 p.m.: 8 new COVID-19 cases were announced in Alexandria, bringing the county total to 149
7:50 p.m.: LCPS said a second member of the Liberty Elementary School staff has tested positive for the coronavirus.The employee last worked at the school on March 11.
7:32 p.m.: Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a new order Wednesday evening, requiring that all food retailers enforce social distancing protocols, and declared that outdoor markets are no longer essential businesses. All farmers' markets, including the Fish Market at the Wharf, that wish to operate must obtain a waiver.
6:16 p.m.: Bowser announces a new District Economic Recovery Team (DERT) to proactively plan, strategize, and coordinate the economic recovery from the impacts of the coronavirus.
4:45: Nine more inmates with D.C. Department of Corrections have tested positive for the coronavirus. There are now 37 positive people in DOC custody, officials say.
4:41 p.m.: Safeway's Eastern Divisions stores are implementing additional safety measures to protect customers and employees during the coronavirus pandemic. Starting immediately, all Virginia, Maryland, D.C. and Delaware stores will implement one-way aisle traffic, limited in-store customer occupancy, self-check health screenings, increased cleaning staff, new store hours and will distribute reusable masks for all store, distribution, and manufacturing associates.
2:49 p.m.: Eight additional members of DC Fire and EMS tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the current number of those who have tested positive to 46 within the Department. Ten of the 46 members have recovered and returned to full duty.
2:30 p.m.: Shenandoah National Park closes, the National Park Service announces.
2 p.m.: Gov. Ralph Northam requested the Virginia General Assembly to move the May General Election and all special elections scheduled for May 5, 2020, to the November 3, 2020, General Election date to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
1:30 p.m.: Leaders in Montgomery County are introducing regulations that would require face mask coverings to be worn in public spaces to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
11:00 a.m.: In a press conference, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke about resources for the unemployed and small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Bowser said the Small Business Association Disaster Customer Service Hotline is now open 24/7 at 800-659-2955. Additional resources can be found here.
10:30 a.m.: There are 1,158 new cases of coronavirus reported in Maryland over the last 24 hours -- the largest single-day increase the state has seen so far. The state now reports 5,529 cases. Of those cases, 1,210 required hospitalization and 124 people have died. The total number of cases across the DMV is now over 10,000.
10 a.m.: D.C. now reports 1,440 positive cases in COVID-19 in the District. That's a one-day increase of 229 cases. There are now 27 deaths as a result of the virus in D.C.
9:15 a.m.: Virginia now reports 3,645 positive cases of coronavirus in the commonwealth. 75 people have died as a result of the virus, and 615 people have required hospitalization.
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: