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.’s daily coronavirus average is up 8% from where it was two weeks ago – but since D.C. averages so few cases a day, that’s only a change of three cases. Since Labor Day, the city’s average has been consistently below where it was in August. It seems the holiday weekend did not cause a spike in new cases.
- In Maryland there seems to be no evidence yet of a Labor Day-related coronavirus spike. On the Friday before the holiday weekend, the state was averaging 595 new cases of the virus a day. As of this Friday, Maryland was averaging 620 cases of the virus a day – just a 4% difference.
- In Virginia, the average for daily coronavirus cases is actually down from where it was prior to Labor Day. On September 4, the commonwealth was averaging 1,026 new cases of the virus a day. As of Friday, it was averaging 1,008 cases. That’s a 2% decrease.
- It’s still possible that some vacation destination spots along Virginia’s east coast, particularly areas like Virginia Beach, could see an uptick in holiday-related cases next week, as we are still within the 14-day period for symptoms to emerge.
- Virginia has now added more than 200 new deaths from the coronavirus over the past four days. The glut of unreported cases seems to be lessening, however, as the commonwealth reported 29 new deaths on Friday – the same number it reported on September 2.
Reopening the DMV
The latest in reopening news:
- Maryland has entered the third and final stage of its reopening plan, with all businesses able to reopen. Details on what Phase 3 looks like here.
- Montgomery County has adjusted some of its Phase 2 guidelines. More here.
- Prince George's County, Maryland, remains in Phase 2, but released additional reopenings. Here's a look.
- Metro returns to a normal schedule with masks and social distancing still required. Here's the latest.
Previous Updates
September 17:
- After nearly two weeks of decline, D.C.’s coronavirus numbers have begun moving upward again. The city is now averaging 54 new cases of the virus a day That’s where it was at the end of August. It had hit a low of 40 cases a day on September 10.
- Maryland’s coronavirus numbers have been on an upward trend since August 31, when the state was averaging 511 new cases a day. As of Thursday, it’s now averaging 634 cases a day – a nearly 25% increase.
- The apparent jump in hospital beds in use by coronavirus patients in Maryland on Tuesday appears not to have been a sustained trend. After increasing by 30 in a single day earlier this week, that number has fallen back down to 347 total hospital beds in use by COVID-19 patients – the lowest number since March.
- Virginia has added 177 new coronavirus-related deaths from its data backlog over the past three days. That’s as much as the previous 16 days combined.
- Virginia’s average percent positivity for coronavirus tests has been headed in the right direction recently. Over the past 10 days it has dropped from 7.8% to 6.7%, which is close to its all-time low.
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: