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. reported 54 new cases on Tuesday – its highest single-day total in 19 days. Because of the Fourth of July weekend, this could be at least partly attributable to a delay in reporting.
- Ward 7 became the city’s fifth Ward on Tuesday to reach 1,500 cases of the coronavirus. D.C. coronavirus live updates
- Prince George’s County, Maryland, has now reported more than 19,000 cases of the coronavirus and nearly 700 deaths related to it. That’s higher than the case counts of 20 states, including Kentucky, New Mexico and Oregon.
- Maryland reported 28 new deaths from the coronavirus on Tuesday – its highest single-day death count since June 16. Below-average death counts on Sunday and especially Monday may indicate this is more reflective of a lag in reporting than a sudden increase in deaths, however. Maryland coronavirus live updates
- On Tuesday, for the fourth time in five days Virginia reported more than 600 new cases of the coronavirus. The state has been averaging below 600 new cases a day for 24 days, but is now one more day above 600 cases from losing that streak.
- Whether or not Monday’s report of 0 new deaths in Virginia was accurate or not, it was not the start of a trend. The commonwealth reported 28 new deaths on Tuesday – a return to the upward trend Virginia has been on since June 20.
- Daily cases in Virginia have now been on a slight upward trend for 10 consecutive days. Virginia coronavirus live updates
Monday, July 6:
- D.C. is now averaging just 1 new death from the coronavirus a day. That’s a third of the daily rate from a month ago.
- The District has been averaging around 30 new cases a day for nearly two weeks. It began June averaging more than 90 new cases a day.
- Maryland has dropped from being one of the top 10 states in the nation for coronavirus cases to 13th place – largely as a result of recent case increases in North Caroline and Arizona. Maryland also now ranks 11th for cases per capita.
- Montgomery County, Maryland, has now reported more than 15,000 cases of the coronavirus and more than 750 deaths.
- Virginia, which was previously among the top 10 states for coronavirus cases, now ranks 14th in the U.S. Virginia ranks 22nd for cases per capita.
- Between Friday and Sunday Virginia reported more than 600 new cases each day, and a total of 716 on Saturday – the highest single-day total in a month.
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: