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. 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.
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 10:
- In D.C., the city’s daily coronavirus case rate continues moving toward the “substantial community spread” red line of 15 ore more cases per 100,000 people. As of Sunday, the most recent date available, that number is now 13.2 – the highest it’s been since June.
- For the fourth consecutive day, Maryland has set a new all-time high daily average for coronavirus cases. The state is now averaging 1,278 new cases a day. Tuesday also marks the seventh consecutive day Maryland has reported more than 1,000 new cases in a single day.
- Over the past two days alone Maryland has added 100 new COVID-19 patients to hospital beds in the state. That metric hasn’t increased so swiftly since the early days of the pandemic. As of Tuesday, there are now more than 760 people hospitalized in Maryland for the coronavirus.
- The average percent positivity for COVID-19 tests among those 35 and under in Maryland is now above 6% for the first time since early August. Those over 35 have seen a similar rise, though their average positivity remains below 5%.
- Tuesday marks the 11th consecutive day Virginia set a new seven-day average high for coronavirus cases. The commonwealth is now averaging 1,462 new cases a day.
- Virginia has now been averaging more than 1,000 new cases a day for three consecutive weeks – its longest such streak since the pandemic began.
November 9:
- D.C.’s daily case rate has been climbing rapidly since the beginning of October, and is now at the highest point the city has seen since early June. D.C. is now unquestionably in a third wave of the virus that is already more severe than the second wave it saw from July to August.
- Testing declined sharply in the week prior to the election – nearly to the level the city was seeing before numbers spiked in October after White House staffers began testing positive. The data on this is delayed several days, so we may not see what effect the weekend’s celebrations have on this for another week.
- On Monday, Maryland reported a new all-time high for its seven-day average, which is now at 1,197 cases a day. The state is also on its fourth-consecutive day reporting more than 1,000 cases.
Read previous updates here.
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: